diff --git a/cmd/picoclaw/cmd_gateway.go b/cmd/picoclaw/cmd_gateway.go
index f8b7a9432..188aac507 100644
--- a/cmd/picoclaw/cmd_gateway.go
+++ b/cmd/picoclaw/cmd_gateway.go
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ func gatewayCmd() {
 
 		if webAppURL != "" {
 			provider := &agentLoopDataProvider{loop: agentLoop, workspace: cfg.WorkspacePath()}
-			sender := &telegramCommandSender{bus: msgBus, channelManager: channelManager}
+			sender := &telegramCommandSender{bus: msgBus}
 			miniappNotifier = miniapp.NewStateNotifier()
 			handler := miniapp.NewHandler(provider, sender, cfg.Channels.Telegram.Token, miniappNotifier)
 			agentLoop.OnStateChange = miniappNotifier.Notify
@@ -507,21 +507,10 @@ func collectGitRepoInfo(gitRoot string) miniapp.GitInfo {
 
 // telegramCommandSender injects Mini App commands into the message bus.
 type telegramCommandSender struct {
-	bus            *bus.MessageBus
-	channelManager *channels.Manager
+	bus *bus.MessageBus
 }
 
 func (s *telegramCommandSender) SendCommand(senderID, chatID, command string) {
-	// Create a placeholder so status messages (streaming preview, tool progress)
-	// are visible to the user while the LLM processes the request.
-	if s.channelManager != nil {
-		if ch, ok := s.channelManager.GetChannel("telegram"); ok {
-			if tc, ok := ch.(*channels.TelegramChannel); ok {
-				tc.CreatePlaceholder(context.Background(), chatID)
-			}
-		}
-	}
-
 	s.bus.PublishInbound(bus.InboundMessage{
 		Channel:  "telegram",
 		SenderID: senderID,
diff --git a/pkg/agent/loop.go b/pkg/agent/loop.go
index aa0d5d853..953c7aca9 100644
--- a/pkg/agent/loop.go
+++ b/pkg/agent/loop.go
@@ -259,6 +259,14 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) Run(ctx context.Context) error {
 				Content:         "via MiniApp: " + msg.Content,
 				SkipPlaceholder: true,
 			})
+			// Create a placeholder AFTER the echo so status updates appear below it.
+			if al.channelManager != nil {
+				if ch, ok := al.channelManager.GetChannel(msg.Channel); ok {
+					if tc, ok := ch.(*channels.TelegramChannel); ok {
+						tc.CreatePlaceholder(ctx, msg.ChatID)
+					}
+				}
+			}
 		}
 
 		// Fast path: handle slash commands immediately without blocking the LLM worker.