A method comprises receiving an input at a control system indicating a status change for a first tool coupled to a first manipulator assembly of a telesurgical system. The status change is correlated to a procedure to decouple the first tool from the first manipulator assembly or manually reconfigure the first manipulator assembly. The method also includes transmitting a command to the first manipulator assembly. Responsive to the transmitted command, a multiple-color light emitting diode array in an indicator section on the first manipulator assembly is activated to generate a signal indicating a reconfiguration action for the first tool or the first manipulator assembly to a first user.