diff --git a/Framework/Built_In_Automation/Sequential_Actions/sequential_actions.py b/Framework/Built_In_Automation/Sequential_Actions/sequential_actions.py
index 9761dfdb..9c30e6b0 100755
--- a/Framework/Built_In_Automation/Sequential_Actions/sequential_actions.py
+++ b/Framework/Built_In_Automation/Sequential_Actions/sequential_actions.py
@@ -2525,6 +2525,9 @@ def Action_Handler(_data_set, action_row, _bypass_bug=True):
             CommonUtil.ExecLog(sModuleInfo, "Can't find module for %s" % module, 3)
             return "zeuz_failed"
         run_function = getattr(eval(module), function)  # create a reference to the function
+        # Capture the BEFORE-action screen (debug/chatbot only) so the validator can
+        # compare it against the AFTER capture taken once the action completes.
+        CommonUtil.TakeScreenShot(function, pre_action=True)
         start_time = time.perf_counter()
         if pre_sleep:
             time.sleep(pre_sleep)
diff --git a/Framework/Utilities/CommonUtil.py b/Framework/Utilities/CommonUtil.py
index 28215917..9ffd93e1 100644
--- a/Framework/Utilities/CommonUtil.py
+++ b/Framework/Utilities/CommonUtil.py
@@ -849,9 +849,20 @@ def set_screenshot_vars(shared_variables):
         ExecLog(sModuleInfo, "Error setting screenshot variables", 3)
 
 
-def TakeScreenShot(function_name, local_run=False):
-    """ Puts TakeScreenShot into a thread, so it doesn't block test case execution """
+def TakeScreenShot(function_name, local_run=False, pre_action=False):
+    """ Puts TakeScreenShot into a thread, so it doesn't block test case execution.
+
+    When pre_action=True, captures the screen state *before* the action runs so the
+    debug/chatbot validator can compare BEFORE vs AFTER. The pre-action capture only
+    runs in debug mode (the only mode that streams screenshots over live_log), is taken
+    synchronously without the post-action settle delay (we want the current state, not a
+    settled one), and is tagged with a distinct log marker so consumers can label it.
+    """
     if not ws_ss_log or performance_testing: return
+    # The before-image is only consumed by the debug/chatbot live_log stream, so skip it
+    # entirely for normal runs to avoid extra capture latency and screenshot volume.
+    if pre_action and not debug_status:
+        return
     try:
         if upload_on_fail and rerun_on_fail and not rerunning_on_fail and not debug_status:
             return
@@ -879,9 +890,13 @@ def TakeScreenShot(function_name, local_run=False):
                 sModuleInfo, "Skipping screenshot due to screenshot or local_run setting", 0
             )
             return
+        capture_marker = (
+            "Capturing Pre-Action Screenshot for Action" if pre_action
+            else "Capturing Screenshot for Action"
+        )
         ExecLog(
             "",
-            "********** Capturing Screenshot for Action: %s Method: %s **********" % (function_name, Method),
+            "********** %s: %s Method: %s **********" % (capture_marker, function_name, Method),
             4,
         )
         if current_action_name.strip().lower() in ("none", "undefined"):
@@ -898,6 +913,15 @@ def TakeScreenShot(function_name, local_run=False):
                     break
             image_name = "Step#" + current_step_no + "_Action#" + current_action_no + "_" + filename
 
+        if pre_action:
+            # Capture synchronously and without the settle delay so the BEFORE frame is
+            # streamed over live_log before the action executes (and before the AFTER
+            # frame), keeping the two distinguishable in order on the consumer side.
+            Thread_ScreenShot(
+                function_name, image_folder, Method, Driver, image_name + "_pre", skip_delay=True
+            )
+            return
+
         thread = executor.submit(Thread_ScreenShot, function_name, image_folder, Method, Driver, image_name)
         SaveThread("screenshot", thread)
 
@@ -990,8 +1014,13 @@ def _get_window_screenshot_bbox():
     return None
 
 
-def Thread_ScreenShot(function_name, image_folder, Method, Driver, image_name):
-    """ Capture screen of mobile or desktop """
+def Thread_ScreenShot(function_name, image_folder, Method, Driver, image_name, skip_delay=False):
+    """ Capture screen of mobile or desktop.
+
+    skip_delay=True bypasses the debug settle delay — used for pre-action (BEFORE)
+    captures, where the current on-screen state must be grabbed immediately rather than
+    after waiting for the UI to settle (which only makes sense for AFTER captures).
+    """
     if performance_testing: return
     sModuleInfo = inspect.currentframe().f_code.co_name + " : " + MODULE_NAME
     chars_to_remove = [
@@ -1028,7 +1057,7 @@ def Thread_ScreenShot(function_name, image_folder, Method, Driver, image_name):
                 return
             should_delay_before_capture = True
 
-        if should_delay_before_capture and not _wait_for_debug_screenshot_delay(sModuleInfo, function_name, Method):
+        if should_delay_before_capture and not skip_delay and not _wait_for_debug_screenshot_delay(sModuleInfo, function_name, Method):
             return
 
         # Capture screenshot of desktop