Files
Christian Klotz 25cc5c7bf4 docs(coding-agent): refresh documentation (#9898)
* docs(coding-agent): improve getting started documentation

* docs(coding-agent): correct getting started details

* docs(coding-agent): clarify SDK entry point

* docs(coding-agent): restructure guides and references

* docs(coding-agent): improve getting started guides

* docs(coding-agent): refresh integration guides

* docs(coding-agent): improve terminal and CLI guides

* docs(coding-agent): refresh customisation guides

* docs(coding-agent): clarify project trust terminology

* docs(coding-agent): simplify customisation guidance

* docs(coding-agent): improve runtime and reference guidance

* Fix settings reference

* feat(coding-agent): add Crowdin documentation sync

* docs(coding-agent): separate CLI and slash command references

* docs(coding-agent): correct compaction reference

* docs(coding-agent): streamline package documentation

* docs(coding-agent): split RPC reference documentation

* Update configuration docs

* Shorten config docs

* docs(coding-agent): refine configuration references

* docs(coding-agent): streamline settings reference

* docs(coding-agent): clarify configuration reference

* docs(coding-agent): clarify project trust exception

* docs(coding-agent): simplify keybindings reference

* docs(coding-agent): remove Crowdin integration

* docs(coding-agent): turn themes reference into guide

* docs(coding-agent): consolidate model and authentication docs

* docs(tui): require Component.invalidate() (fixes #9358)

* docs(coding-agent): document offline catalog behavior (fixes #8684)

* docs(coding-agent): preserve established documentation routes

* docs(coding-agent): reorganize documentation navigation

* docs(coding-agent): correct audited behavior

Clarify provider, session, local-model, Termux, TUI, SDK, debug, and extension behavior. Simplify the documentation audit to report only clear user-visible contradictions.

* docs(coding-agent): fix broken documentation links
2026-09-22 16:48:19 +02:00

5.1 KiB

Use Pi in the terminal

Run pi from the folder you want to work in. Pi uses that folder to discover files, instructions, and configuration, and to group saved sessions. If you have not installed Pi or chosen a model yet, follow the Quickstart.

Pi may ask whether you trust the working folder before loading its project resources. See Project trust.

Pi interactive mode showing a conversation, editor, and status information

The transcript shows your prompts, Pi's responses, tool calls, results, and errors. You write prompts and commands in the editor. The footer shows the current folder, session, model, context usage, and accumulated usage and cost.

Enter a prompt

Type a request and press Enter to send it. Use Shift+Enter to add a line, or press Ctrl+G to work on a longer prompt in your configured external editor.

To include files or images:

  • Type @ to search for a file and add it to your prompt.
  • Press Tab to complete a path.
  • Paste an image or drag it into a compatible terminal.

Follow Pi's work

Pi shows each tool call and result while it works. Press Ctrl+O to expand or collapse tool output. Press Ctrl+T to show or hide thinking blocks.

The startup header lists the instructions and resources Pi loaded. The editor border indicates the current thinking level. The footer updates as the model uses context and reports usage.

Pi does not ask before every tool call. Review commands and changed files, and use a sandbox for untrusted or unattended work. See Security.

Change direction

You can send more input while Pi is working:

What you want Action
Adjust the current task Type a message and press Enter
Add work after the current task Type a message and press Alt+Enter
Return queued messages to the editor Press Alt+Up
Stop the current task Press Escape

A message sent with Enter waits until the current response and its tool calls finish, then guides the next response. A follow-up sent with Alt+Enter waits until Pi finishes the current task. Aborting returns queued messages to the editor.

Windows Terminal reserves some Alt shortcuts. See Terminal Setup for the Windows alternatives.

Change the model or settings

Type / to search the available commands. The commands you will use most often are:

  • /model selects a model. Press Ctrl+L to open the same selector.
  • /thinking selects how much reasoning the current model uses. Press Shift+Tab to cycle through supported levels.
  • /login and /logout manage provider access.
  • /settings changes common preferences.

Prompt templates, skills, and extensions can add more commands to the same menu. See Choose a Model, Configuration, or the complete Slash Commands reference.

Continue or start over

Pi saves sessions automatically unless session persistence is disabled.

  • /new starts a new session.
  • /resume opens another saved session.
  • /name gives the current session a recognizable name.
  • /session shows its file, ID, message count, token usage, and cost.

Use /tree, /fork, or /clone when you want to explore another approach without losing existing work. Use /compact to reduce the conversation history sent to the model. See Sessions and Context for these workflows.

After leaving Pi, run pi --continue from the same folder to resume its most recent session.

Run a terminal command

Prefix a command with ! to run it and include its output in the conversation:

!git status

Use !! when you want to run a command without sending its output to the model.

Copy, export, or share results

Press Ctrl+X or run /copy to copy the last assistant response. Use /export to save the session as HTML or JSONL.

Use /share to upload the session and get a viewer link. With Radius authentication, the artifact is visible to your Radius organization. Otherwise, Pi creates a private GitHub gist through the GitHub CLI. Review the session first because it can contain prompts, tool output, file contents, and credentials exposed during the conversation.

Adjust the terminal

Regular mode uses the terminal's normal scrollback. Fullscreen mode keeps the editor and status area fixed while the transcript scrolls within the terminal window. Choose a mode through /settings or --tui-mode.

Terminal support for mouse input, keyboard shortcuts, and inline images varies. See Terminal Setup for platform-specific configuration and Keybindings for every configurable shortcut. Run /hotkeys to inspect the shortcuts active in your current session.

Collect diagnostic information

When troubleshooting terminal rendering or conversation state, run /debug. Pi writes the rendered terminal lines and current session messages to pi-debug.log in your agent directory.

Review this file before sharing it. It can contain prompts, model responses, tool output, file contents, and terminal data.