Parallel list_files tool calls render as repetitive separate blocks

[hannesrudolph]

Problem

When Roo makes multiple parallel list_files tool calls (e.g., listing 4 directories at once), each call renders as its own separate block in the chat UI with an identical header: "Roo wants to view the top level files in this directory". This creates a noisy, repetitive UI that takes up unnecessary vertical space.

Impact

Users see 4+ identical-looking blocks stacked vertically instead of a single grouped block. This is inconsistent with how parallel read_file calls are already grouped into a single "Roo wants to read multiple files" block, and makes the chat harder to scan.

Expected Behavior

Consecutive parallel list_files calls should be grouped into a single block (e.g., "Roo wants to view multiple directories") with each directory path listed as a row — the same pattern used for read_file batching.

[roomote]

I've analyzed this issue and here's my proposed implementation plan:

The existing read_file batching pattern provides a clear template. The fix is purely UI-side -- consecutive parallel list_files tool calls get grouped in ChatView.tsx and rendered as a single block in ChatRow.tsx.

Changes:

1. packages/types/src/vscode-extension-host.ts -- Add a batchDirectories property to ClineSayTool to hold batched directory listings (similar to the existing batchFiles for readFile):

   batchDirectories?: Array<{
     path: string
     type: "topLevel" | "recursive"
     isOutsideWorkspace?: boolean
     content?: string
     key: string
   }>

2. webview-ui/src/components/chat/ChatView.tsx -- In the groupedMessages memo, add a isListFilesAsk helper (mirroring isReadFileAsk) that detects consecutive listFilesTopLevel / listFilesRecursive ask messages. When 2+ consecutive list_files asks are found, create a synthetic batched message with a batchDirectories array on the tool payload.

3. webview-ui/src/components/chat/ChatRow.tsx -- In the listFilesTopLevel case, add a check for tool.batchDirectories. When present, render a grouped header ("Roo wants to view multiple directories") with each directory listed as a collapsible CodeAccordian row. Fall through to the existing single-directory rendering when batchDirectories is absent.

4. webview-ui/src/i18n/locales/en/chat.json -- Add new translation keys under directoryOperations:

   • "wantsToViewMultiple": "Roo wants to view multiple directories"
   • "didViewMultiple": "Roo viewed multiple directories"

5. Tests -- Add/update tests for the new batching logic in ChatView and the grouped rendering in ChatRow.

This approach mirrors the existing read_file batching pattern exactly, so it's consistent and low-risk. The list_files tool backend doesn't need changes since the grouping happens entirely in the UI layer.

Please mention @roomote in a comment saying that you approve this plan, and I'll proceed with the implementation.