diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/interactive/interactive-mode.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/interactive/interactive-mode.ts
index 83bfb906b..8b3377ef1 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/interactive/interactive-mode.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/modes/interactive/interactive-mode.ts
@@ -453,16 +453,16 @@ export class InteractiveMode {
 		this.setupKeyHandlers();
 		this.setupEditorSubmitHandler();
 
+		// Start the UI before initializing extensions so session_start handlers can use interactive dialogs
+		this.ui.start();
+		this.isInitialized = true;
+
 		// Initialize extensions first so resources are shown before messages
 		await this.initExtensions();
 
 		// Render initial messages AFTER showing loaded resources
 		this.renderInitialMessages();
 
-		// Start the UI
-		this.ui.start();
-		this.isInitialized = true;
-
 		// Set terminal title
 		this.updateTerminalTitle();