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Use ctx.typing() to show a Thinking… or custom status while your handler runs. It posts immediately, like ctx.reply(). 
await ctx.typing('Searching the docs…'); // set or replace the status text
await ctx.typing();                       // reset to the default "Thinking…"
await ctx.typing.stop();                  // clear it for this turn

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Platform behavior

  • Custom text shows on Slack-like platforms; a generic typing bubble appears on others; it is a no-op where there is no typing channel (for example email).
  • The typing status clears automatically when the turn delivers a reply — whether you call ctx.reply(), return a string or card from the handler, or return an AI SDK result that Novu maps to a reply. You do not need ctx.typing.stop() unless you want to clear the indicator without sending a message.
  • When a turn fails, Novu clears the typing indicator even if no reply is sent — including when onError suppresses the user-visible message.

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Default inbound acknowledgement

Before your handler runs, Novu shows a default liveness signal so users know the agent received their message:
  • On typing-capable platforms (Slack, Telegram, and similar), Novu shows a Thinking… indicator.
  • On platforms without typing support, Novu reacts to the conversation’s first message with an eyes emoji instead.
This is controlled by Acknowledge incoming messages in the agent’s Agent behavior settings in the dashboard. It is enabled by default. If you use ctx.typing() with custom status text, consider turning this off to avoid a brief flicker when your status replaces the default indicator.

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Example

import { agent } from '@novu/framework';

export const myAgent = agent('my-agent', {
  onMessage: async (message, ctx) => {
    await ctx.typing('Looking that up…');

    const answer = await lookup(message.text ?? '');

    return answer;
  },
});

Handlers and context

Event handlers and the context object.

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