> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/yetone/avante.nvim/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Slash Commands

> Built-in slash commands for common operations in Avante chat

## Overview

Slash commands provide quick access to common operations within the Avante chat interface. Type `/` to see available commands with auto-completion.

<Info>
  Slash commands are triggered by typing `/` followed by the command name in the Avante chat input.
</Info>

## Available Commands

### /help

Display help information about available commands and features.

```
/help
```

**Usage**: Get an overview of Avante's capabilities, keybindings, and available commands.

**Example Output**:

* List of available slash commands
* Mention triggers (`@file`, `@codebase`, etc.)
* Shortcut prefixes (`#refactor`, `#test`, etc.)
* Common keybindings

***

### /init

Initialize AGENTS.md based on the current project structure and context.

```
/init
```

**Usage**: Automatically generate a project instruction file (`AGENTS.md` or `avante.md`) that provides context to the AI about your project.

**What it does**:

1. Analyzes your project structure
2. Detects technologies and frameworks
3. Creates a markdown file with project context
4. Sets up AI persona and mission

**Output**: Creates a customized instruction file in your project root.

<Tip>
  Run `/init` when starting a new project to help the AI understand your codebase structure and conventions.
</Tip>

***

### /clear

Clear the chat history for the current session.

```
/clear
```

**Usage**: Remove all previous messages from the current chat, starting fresh while keeping the session active.

**When to use**:

* Context has become too large or confusing
* You want to start a new topic without previous context
* Chat is slowing down due to long history

<Note>
  This only clears the visible history. Use `/new` if you want to start a completely new session.
</Note>

See also: `:AvanteClear` command

***

### /new

Start a new chat session.

```
/new
```

**Usage**: Create a completely new chat session. The previous session is saved and can be reopened later.

**Difference from `/clear`**:

* `/clear` - Removes messages but keeps the same session
* `/new` - Creates a brand new session, saving the old one

**Accessing old sessions**: Use `/history` or `:AvanteHistory` to reopen previous chats.

See also: `:AvanteChatNew` command

***

### /compact

Compact chat history to save tokens while preserving important context.

```
/compact
```

**Usage**: Reduce the size of your chat history by summarizing older messages, which helps:

* Reduce API costs
* Speed up AI responses
* Stay within context limits
* Maintain essential information

**How it works**:

1. Identifies older, less relevant messages
2. Summarizes or removes redundant information
3. Preserves key decisions and important context
4. Updates the chat history with compacted version

<Tip>
  Use `/compact` during long coding sessions to keep context manageable without losing important information.
</Tip>

***

### /lines

Ask a question about specific line ranges in the current file.

```
/lines <start>-<end> <question>
```

**Parameters**:

* `<start>` - Starting line number
* `<end>` - Ending line number
* `<question>` - Your question about those lines

**Examples**:

```
/lines 10-50 What does this function do?
```

```
/lines 100-150 How can I optimize this code?
```

```
/lines 75-90 Are there any bugs in this validation logic?
```

**Usage**: Focus the AI's attention on a specific portion of code without selecting it manually.

***

### /commit

Generate a commit message for the current staged changes.

```
/commit
```

**Usage**: Automatically create a conventional commit message based on your git changes.

**How it works**:

1. Analyzes `git diff --staged`
2. Understands the nature of changes
3. Generates a descriptive commit message
4. Follows conventional commit format (if configured)

**Example Output**:

```
feat(auth): add JWT token refresh mechanism

- Implement automatic token refresh before expiration
- Add retry logic for failed refresh attempts
- Update authentication service tests
```

<Note>
  Ensure you have staged changes before using `/commit`. The AI analyzes only staged changes, not all modifications.
</Note>

See also: The `git_commit` tool in [LLM Tools](/advanced/tools)

***

### /history

Open the chat session selector to view and reopen previous conversations.

```
/history
```

**Usage**: Browse and restore previous chat sessions.

**What you can do**:

* View list of past chat sessions
* See session timestamps and first messages
* Reopen any previous conversation
* Continue from where you left off

See also: `:AvanteHistory` command and `<Leader>ah` keybinding

***

## Usage in nvim-cmp / blink.cmp

Slash commands appear automatically in completion menus when you type `/`:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Type Trigger">
    Type `/` in the Avante chat input
  </Step>

  <Step title="See Completions">
    A completion menu appears showing available commands with descriptions
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Command">
    Use arrow keys or `<C-n>`/`<C-p>` to navigate, then `<CR>` to select
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Parameters">
    For commands like `/lines`, add the required parameters after the command
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Command Aliases

Some commands have equivalent vim commands:

| Slash Command | Vim Command              | Keybinding   |
| ------------- | ------------------------ | ------------ |
| `/clear`      | `:AvanteClear`           | -            |
| `/new`        | `:AvanteChatNew`         | `<Leader>an` |
| `/history`    | `:AvanteHistory`         | `<Leader>ah` |
| `/commit`     | (uses `git_commit` tool) | -            |

## Combining with Mentions and Shortcuts

You can combine slash commands with mentions and shortcuts:

```
/lines 50-100 @diagnostics fix these errors
```

```
/clear
@codebase #refactor the authentication module
```

```
/commit @file include these changes
```

## Creating Custom Commands

While you can't add new slash commands directly, you can create similar functionality using:

1. **Custom Shortcuts** (triggered with `#`):
   ```lua theme={null}
   shortcuts = {
     {
       name = "review",
       prompt = "Please review this code for bugs, performance issues, and best practices.",
     },
   }
   ```

2. **Custom Tools** for complex operations:
   See [LLM Tools](/advanced/tools) for examples.

3. **Vim Commands** for integration:
   ```vim theme={null}
   command! AvanteReview lua require('avante.api').ask({prompt = "Review this code"})
   ```

## Best Practices

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Use /clear Wisely" icon="broom">
    Clear history when context becomes muddled, but remember you lose all previous context.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Session Management" icon="folder">
    Use `/new` to organize work by feature or task, making it easier to return to specific conversations.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Token Management" icon="coins">
    Use `/compact` regularly during long sessions to control costs and improve performance.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Precise Questions" icon="crosshairs">
    Use `/lines` to focus the AI on specific code sections for more targeted responses.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Slash commands not appearing">
    1. Ensure nvim-cmp or blink.cmp is installed
    2. Verify completion source is configured:
       ```lua theme={null}
       sources = {
         compat = { "avante_commands" }
       }
       ```
    3. Check that you're in the Avante chat input
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="/commit not working">
    1. Ensure you have staged changes: `git add <files>`
    2. Check git is installed and working
    3. Verify you're in a git repository
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="/lines gives wrong code">
    Make sure the line numbers are correct and within the file's range. Line numbers are 1-indexed.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="/compact removes too much">
    This is expected behavior. If you need more control, use `/clear` to fully reset or `/new` to start a fresh session.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related Documentation

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Completion Sources" icon="terminal" href="/advanced/completion-sources">
    Learn about mentions and shortcuts
  </Card>

  <Card title="Commands" icon="code" href="/api/commands">
    All available vim commands
  </Card>

  <Card title="LLM Tools" icon="toolbox" href="/advanced/tools">
    Explore available tools for the AI
  </Card>
</CardGroup>