diff --git a/.Jules/palette.md b/.Jules/palette.md
index 13f6528..4e317ea 100644
--- a/.Jules/palette.md
+++ b/.Jules/palette.md
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
 ## 2024-05-22 - Helpful CLI Prompts
 **Learning:** Even in CLI tools, users often get stuck on authentication steps (Tokens/IDs). Providing direct URLs or location hints in the prompt text significantly reduces friction compared to forcing users to consult external docs.
 **Action:** When prompting for credentials in CLI tools, always include a "Where to find this" hint or direct URL.
+
+## 2024-05-23 - CLI Progress Bars
+**Learning:** Using clear-line ANSI codes (`\033[K`) is significantly more robust than space-padding for overwriting CLI lines, especially when line lengths vary between updates. Visual progress bars (e.g., `[██░░]`) provide better psychological feedback for waiting periods than simple countdowns.
+**Action:** Use `\033[K` for dynamic CLI updates and favor visual bars for waits > 5 seconds.
diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index b6bbb8b..9f324ef 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -117,12 +117,16 @@ def countdown_timer(seconds: int, message: str = "Waiting") -> None:
         time.sleep(seconds)
         return
 
+    width = 15
     for remaining in range(seconds, 0, -1):
-        sys.stderr.write(f"\r{Colors.CYAN}⏳ {message}: {remaining}s...{Colors.ENDC}")
+        progress = (seconds - remaining + 1) / seconds
+        filled = int(width * progress)
+        bar = "█" * filled + "░" * (width - filled)
+        sys.stderr.write(f"\r{Colors.CYAN}⏳ {message}: [{bar}] {remaining}s...{Colors.ENDC}")
         sys.stderr.flush()
         time.sleep(1)
 
-    sys.stderr.write(f"\r{Colors.GREEN}✅ {message}: Done!              {Colors.ENDC}\n")
+    sys.stderr.write(f"\r\033[K{Colors.GREEN}✅ {message}: Done!{Colors.ENDC}\n")
     sys.stderr.flush()
 
 
diff --git a/tests/test_ux.py b/tests/test_ux.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..311b7e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_ux.py
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+
+import sys
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+import main
+
+def test_countdown_timer_visuals(monkeypatch):
+    """Verify that countdown_timer writes a progress bar to stderr."""
+    # Force colors on
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main, "USE_COLORS", True)
+
+    # Mock stderr
+    mock_stderr = MagicMock()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(sys, "stderr", mock_stderr)
+
+    # Mock time.sleep to run instantly
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main.time, "sleep", MagicMock())
+
+    main.countdown_timer(3, "Test")
+
+    # Check calls
+    writes = [args[0] for args, _ in mock_stderr.write.call_args_list]
+    combined_output = "".join(writes)
+
+    # Check for progress bar chars
+    assert "░" in combined_output
+    assert "█" in combined_output
+    assert "Test" in combined_output
+    assert "Done!" in combined_output
+
+    # Check for ANSI clear line code
+    assert "\033[K" in combined_output
+
+def test_countdown_timer_no_colors(monkeypatch):
+    """Verify that countdown_timer sleeps without writing to stderr if NO_COLOR."""
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main, "USE_COLORS", False)
+    mock_stderr = MagicMock()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(sys, "stderr", mock_stderr)
+    mock_sleep = MagicMock()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(main.time, "sleep", mock_sleep)
+
+    main.countdown_timer(3, "Test")
+
+    # Should not write to stderr
+    mock_stderr.write.assert_not_called()
+    # Should call sleep exactly once with full seconds
+    mock_sleep.assert_called_once_with(3)