Adding Context (@ Commands)

The true power of ChatCLI lies in its ability to understand the context you are working in. The @ commands collect information from your system and attach it to the prompt, enabling precise and relevant responses.

`@file`: Code Context

The most essential command for developers. Sends file contents or the structure of entire directories for analysis.

@file ./src/database/connection.go explain how the connection is made.

Processing modes

full
summary
chunked
smart

Scenario: Deep analysis of a file or small component.Sends the complete content of all files, respecting a size limit.

@file db.go explain this query

Scenario: Understanding the architecture of an unfamiliar project.Sends a file tree and metadata (sizes, types), without the code.

@file . give me an architecture overview

Scenario: Complete analysis of a large codebase.Splits the project into manageable chunks. Use /nextchunk to navigate.

@file . let's analyze this legacy project in parts

Scenario: Specific question about a large project.The AI receives the file list and chooses which ones are most relevant to read.

@file ./src how does the authentication flow work?

Set the mode using the --mode flag. Example: @file --mode=smart ./src

`@command`: Bridge to the Terminal

Execute any shell command and use its output as context, and even add your question — without copy and paste, just use the > (GREATER THAN) sign.

Without ChatCLI (before)	With ChatCLI (now)
Run command, redirect to file, open, copy, paste into browser	A single command with integrated context

@command kubectl get pods -n prod > why is the login pod in CrashLoopBackOff?

Special flags

Flag	Description
`@command -i`	Interactive mode — for commands like `vim` or `ssh`
`@command --ai`	Sends the output directly to the AI, without an additional question
`@command --ai <command> > <your question or additional context>`	Sends the output directly to the AI, with an additional question/context

@command --ai cat /var/log/nginx/error.log

`@git`: Repository Context

Attaches the status (git status -s), branch, diffs of modified files, and the 5 most recent commits. Perfect for generating commit messages or summarizing changes.

@git help me write a clear commit message for these changes.

`@env`: Environment Variables

Adds the current environment variables to the conversation context.

ChatCLI automatically detects and removes values of sensitive variables (such as API_KEY, TOKEN, PASSWORD), replacing them with [REDACTED].

Combining Commands

The real magic happens when you combine multiple context commands in a single prompt:

@git @file ./src/main.go based on the recent changes, review this file and suggest improvements.

Home

Getting Started

Core Concepts

Features

Security

Support

Adding Context (@ Commands)

`@file`: Code Context

Processing modes

`@command`: Bridge to the Terminal

Special flags

`@git`: Repository Context

`@env`: Environment Variables

Combining Commands

Next Steps

Agent Mode

Coder Mode

​@file: Code Context

​Processing modes

​@command: Bridge to the Terminal

​Special flags

​@git: Repository Context

​@env: Environment Variables

​Combining Commands

​Next Steps

Agent Mode

Coder Mode

`@file`: Code Context

Processing modes

`@command`: Bridge to the Terminal

Special flags

`@git`: Repository Context

`@env`: Environment Variables

Combining Commands

Next Steps