Basic Usage and Main Commands - ChatCLI
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Interactive Mode

ChatCLI’s default mode is interactive. To start it, simply run:
You will see a welcome screen and a prompt ( ❯ ), ready to receive your questions or commands. Any text that does not start with / or @ will be treated as a prompt for the AI.

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Essential Commands

Internal commands are your control center. They always start with /.

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Advanced Commands

Context Commands (@)

Inject dynamic information into your prompt: @file, @git, @command, @env, @history.

Agent Mode (/agent)

Delegate complete tasks. The AI plans and executes commands with your approval.

Coder Mode (/coder)

AI that reads, edits, applies patches, and runs tests in a loop — with automatic rollback.

Conversation Control

Use /compact to compact and /rewind (or Esc+Esc) to go back in time.

Skills and Plugins

Extend ChatCLI with custom plugins and skills from remote registries.

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Coder Mode (/coder)

The /coder mode is specialized for software engineering. The AI automatically calls tools in a read, edit, and test loop.
In /coder, it is always the AI that issues the @coder commands — you only describe the goal.
See the full guides: Coder Mode and @coder Plugin

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Prompt Navigation

ChatCLI supports keyboard shortcuts for efficient navigation: For the full list, see the Command Reference.

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Smart Paste Detection

ChatCLI automatically detects pasted text via Bracketed Paste Mode. For large pastes (more than 150 characters), the content is replaced by a compact placeholder in the prompt:
The actual content is preserved internally and sent in full when you press Enter. Small pastes (150 characters or less) are rendered normally.

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Next Steps

Context Commands

Learn how to inject context from your environment into the prompt.

Agent Mode

Delegate complete tasks for the AI to execute.