cli/slash-commands diff

cli/slash-commands.md +178 −32

Details

1# Slash commands in Codex CLI1# Slash commands in Codex CLI

2 2

3Slash commands give you fast, keyboard-first control over Codex. Type `/` in the composer to open the slash popup, choose a command, and Codex will perform actions such as switching models, adjusting permissions, or summarizing long conversations without leaving the terminal.3Slash commands give you fast, keyboard-first control over Codex. Type `/` in

4the composer to open the slash popup, choose a command, and Codex will perform

5actions such as switching models, adjusting permissions, or summarizing long

6conversations without leaving the terminal.

4 7

5This guide shows you how to:8This guide shows you how to:

6 9

7- Find the right built-in slash command for a task10- Find the right built-in slash command for a task

~~8- Steer an active session with commands like `/model`, `/personality`, `/permissions`, `/experimental`, `/agent`, and `/status`~~11- Steer an active session with commands like `/model`, `/fast`,

12 `/personality`, `/permissions`, `/agent`, and `/status`

9 13

10## Built-in slash commands14## Built-in slash commands

11 15

~~12Codex ships with the following commands. Open the slash popup and start typing the command name to filter the list.~~16Codex ships with the following commands. Open the slash popup and start typing

17the command name to filter the list.

19When a task is already running, you can type a slash command and press `Tab` to

20queue it for the next turn. Codex parses queued slash commands when they run, so

21command menus and errors appear after the current turn finishes. Slash

22completion still works before you queue the command.

13 23

15| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |25| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

16| [`/permissions`](#update-permissions-with-permissions) | Set what Codex can do without asking first. | Relax or tighten approval requirements mid-session, such as switching between Auto and Read Only. |26| [`/permissions`](#update-permissions-with-permissions) | Set what Codex can do without asking first. | Relax or tighten approval requirements mid-session, such as switching between Auto and Read Only. |

17| [`/sandbox-add-read-dir`](#grant-sandbox-read-access-with-sandbox-add-read-dir) | Grant sandbox read access to an extra directory (Windows only). | Unblock commands that need to read an absolute directory path outside the current readable roots. |27| [`/sandbox-add-read-dir`](#grant-sandbox-read-access-with-sandbox-add-read-dir) | Grant sandbox read access to an extra directory (Windows only). | Unblock commands that need to read an absolute directory path outside the current readable roots. |

30| [`/plugins`](#browse-plugins-with-plugins) | Browse installed and discoverable plugins. | Inspect plugin tools, install suggested plugins, or manage plugin availability. |

31| [`/clear`](#clear-the-terminal-and-start-a-new-chat-with-clear) | Clear the terminal and start a fresh chat. | Reset the visible UI and conversation together when you want a fresh start. |

20| [`/compact`](#keep-transcripts-lean-with-compact) | Summarize the visible conversation to free tokens. | Use after long runs so Codex retains key points without blowing the context window. |32| [`/compact`](#keep-transcripts-lean-with-compact) | Summarize the visible conversation to free tokens. | Use after long runs so Codex retains key points without blowing the context window. |

33| [`/copy`](#copy-the-latest-response-with-copy) | Copy the latest completed Codex output. | Grab the latest finished response or plan text without manually selecting it. You can also press `Ctrl+O`. |

25| [`/init`](#generate-agentsmd-with-init) | Generate an `AGENTS.md` scaffold in the current directory. | Capture persistent instructions for the repository or subdirectory you're working in. |38| [`/init`](#generate-agentsmd-with-init) | Generate an `AGENTS.md` scaffold in the current directory. | Capture persistent instructions for the repository or subdirectory you're working in. |

~~27| [`/mcp`](#list-mcp-tools-with-mcp) | List configured Model Context Protocol (MCP) tools. | Check which external tools Codex can call during the session. |~~40| [`/mcp`](#list-mcp-tools-with-mcp) | List configured Model Context Protocol (MCP) tools. | Check which external tools Codex can call during the session; add `verbose` for server details. |

29| [`/model`](#set-the-active-model-with-model) | Choose the active model (and reasoning effort, when available). | Switch between general-purpose models (`gpt-4.1-mini`) and deeper reasoning models before running a task. |42| [`/model`](#set-the-active-model-with-model) | Choose the active model (and reasoning effort, when available). | Switch between general-purpose models (`gpt-4.1-mini`) and deeper reasoning models before running a task. |

43| [`/fast`](#toggle-fast-mode-with-fast) | Toggle Fast mode for supported models. | Turn Fast mode on or off, or check whether the current thread is using it. |

30| [`/plan`](#switch-to-plan-mode-with-plan) | Switch to plan mode and optionally send a prompt. | Ask Codex to propose an execution plan before implementation work starts. |44| [`/plan`](#switch-to-plan-mode-with-plan) | Switch to plan mode and optionally send a prompt. | Ask Codex to propose an execution plan before implementation work starts. |

45| [`/goal`](#set-or-view-an-experimental-task-goal-with-goal) | Set or view an experimental goal for a long-running task. | Give Codex a persistent target to track while a larger task runs. Requires `features.goals`. |

31| [`/personality`](#set-a-communication-style-with-personality) | Choose a communication style for responses. | Make Codex more concise, more explanatory, or more collaborative without changing your instructions. |46| [`/personality`](#set-a-communication-style-with-personality) | Choose a communication style for responses. | Make Codex more concise, more explanatory, or more collaborative without changing your instructions. |

32| [`/ps`](#check-background-terminals-with-ps) | Show experimental background terminals and their recent output. | Check long-running commands without leaving the main transcript. |47| [`/ps`](#check-background-terminals-with-ps) | Show experimental background terminals and their recent output. | Check long-running commands without leaving the main transcript. |

48| [`/stop`](#stop-background-terminals-with-stop) | Stop all background terminals. | Cancel background terminal work started by the current session. |

33| [`/fork`](#fork-the-current-conversation-with-fork) | Fork the current conversation into a new thread. | Branch the active session to explore a new approach without losing the current transcript. |49| [`/fork`](#fork-the-current-conversation-with-fork) | Fork the current conversation into a new thread. | Branch the active session to explore a new approach without losing the current transcript. |

50| [`/side`](#start-a-side-conversation-with-side) | Start an ephemeral side conversation. | Ask a focused follow-up without disrupting the main thread's transcript. |

34| [`/resume`](#resume-a-saved-conversation-with-resume) | Resume a saved conversation from your session list. | Continue work from a previous CLI session without starting over. |51| [`/resume`](#resume-a-saved-conversation-with-resume) | Resume a saved conversation from your session list. | Continue work from a previous CLI session without starting over. |

35| [`/new`](#start-a-new-conversation-with-new) | Start a new conversation inside the same CLI session. | Reset the chat context without leaving the CLI when you want a fresh prompt in the same repo. |52| [`/new`](#start-a-new-conversation-with-new) | Start a new conversation inside the same CLI session. | Reset the chat context without leaving the CLI when you want a fresh prompt in the same repo. |

38| [`/status`](#inspect-the-session-with-status) | Display session configuration and token usage. | Confirm the active model, approval policy, writable roots, and remaining context capacity. |55| [`/status`](#inspect-the-session-with-status) | Display session configuration and token usage. | Confirm the active model, approval policy, writable roots, and remaining context capacity. |

39| [`/debug-config`](#inspect-config-layers-with-debug-config) | Print config layer and requirements diagnostics. | Debug precedence and policy requirements, including experimental network constraints. |56| [`/debug-config`](#inspect-config-layers-with-debug-config) | Print config layer and requirements diagnostics. | Debug precedence and policy requirements, including experimental network constraints. |

40| [`/statusline`](#configure-footer-items-with-statusline) | Configure TUI status-line fields interactively. | Pick and reorder footer items (model/context/limits/git/tokens/session) and persist in config.toml. |57| [`/statusline`](#configure-footer-items-with-statusline) | Configure TUI status-line fields interactively. | Pick and reorder footer items (model/context/limits/git/tokens/session) and persist in config.toml. |

58| [`/title`](#configure-terminal-title-items-with-title) | Configure terminal window or tab title fields interactively. | Pick and reorder title items such as project, status, thread, branch, model, and task progress. |

59| [`/keymap`](#remap-tui-shortcuts-with-keymap) | Remap TUI keyboard shortcuts. | Inspect and persist custom shortcut bindings in `config.toml`. |

41 60

~~42`/quit` and `/exit` both exit the CLI. Use them only after you have saved or committed any important work.~~61`/quit` and `/exit` both exit the CLI. Use them only after you have saved or

62committed any important work.

43 63

44The `/approvals` command still works as an alias, but it no longer appears in the slash popup list.64The `/approvals` command still works as an alias, but it no longer appears in the slash popup list.

45 65

55 75

56Expected: Codex confirms the new model in the transcript. Run `/status` to verify the change.76Expected: Codex confirms the new model in the transcript. Run `/status` to verify the change.

57 77

78### Toggle Fast mode with `/fast`

801. Type `/fast on`, `/fast off`, or `/fast status`.

812. If you want the setting to persist, confirm the update when Codex offers to save it.

83Expected: Codex reports whether Fast mode is on or off for the current thread. In the TUI footer, you can also show a Fast mode status-line item with `/statusline`.

58### Set a communication style with `/personality`85### Set a communication style with `/personality`

59 86

60Use `/personality` to change how Codex communicates without rewriting your prompt.87Use `/personality` to change how Codex communicates without rewriting your prompt.

621. In an active conversation, type `/personality` and press Enter.891. In an active conversation, type `/personality` and press Enter.

632. Choose a style from the popup.902. Choose a style from the popup.

64 91

~~65Expected: Codex confirms the new style in the transcript and uses it for later responses in the thread.~~92Expected: Codex confirms the new style in the transcript and uses it for later

93responses in the thread.

66 94

~~67Codex supports `friendly`, `pragmatic`, and `none` personalities. Use `none` to disable personality instructions.~~95Codex supports `friendly`, `pragmatic`, and `none` personalities. Use `none`

96to disable personality instructions.

68 97

69If the active model doesn't support personality-specific instructions, Codex hides this command.98If the active model doesn't support personality-specific instructions, Codex hides this command.

70 99

71### Switch to plan mode with `/plan`100### Switch to plan mode with `/plan`

72 101

~~731. Type `/plan` and press Enter to switch the active conversation into plan mode.~~1021. Type `/plan` and press Enter to switch the active conversation into plan

~~742. Optional: provide inline prompt text (for example, `/plan Propose a migration plan for this service`).~~103 mode.

1042. Optional: provide inline prompt text (for example, `/plan Propose a

105migration plan for this service`).

753. You can paste content or attach images while using inline `/plan` arguments.1063. You can paste content or attach images while using inline `/plan` arguments.

76 107

77Expected: Codex enters plan mode and uses your optional inline prompt as the first planning request.108Expected: Codex enters plan mode and uses your optional inline prompt as the first planning request.

78 109

79While a task is already running, `/plan` is temporarily unavailable.110While a task is already running, `/plan` is temporarily unavailable.

80 111

112### Set an experimental goal with `/goal`

113

114`/goal` is experimental and only available when `features.goals` is enabled. To enable it, open `/experimental` or add `goals = true` under `[features]` in `config.toml`.

115

1161. Type `/goal <objective>` to set the goal, for example `/goal Finish the migration and keep tests green`.

1172. Type `/goal` to view the current goal.

1183. Use `/goal pause`, `/goal resume`, or `/goal clear` to pause, resume, or remove it.

119

120Expected: Codex keeps the goal attached to the active thread while work continues.

121

81### Toggle experimental features with `/experimental`122### Toggle experimental features with `/experimental`

82 123

831. Type `/experimental` and press Enter.1241. Type `/experimental` and press Enter.

~~842. Toggle the features you want (for example, **Multi-agents**), then restart Codex.~~1252. Toggle the features you want (for example, Apps or Smart Approvals), then restart Codex if the prompt asks you to.

85 126

86Expected: Codex saves your feature choices to config and applies them on restart.127Expected: Codex saves your feature choices to config and applies them on restart.

87 128

129### Clear the terminal and start a new chat with `/clear`

130

1311. Type `/clear` and press Enter.

132

133Expected: Codex clears the terminal, resets the visible transcript, and starts

134a fresh chat in the same CLI session.

135

136Unlike <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>L</kbd>, `/clear` starts a new conversation.

137

138<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>L</kbd> only clears the terminal view and keeps the current

139chat. Codex disables both actions while a task is in progress.

140

88### Update permissions with `/permissions`141### Update permissions with `/permissions`

89 142

901. Type `/permissions` and press Enter.1431. Type `/permissions` and press Enter.

~~912. Select the approval preset that matches your comfort level, for example `Auto` for hands-off runs or `Read Only` to review edits.~~1442. Select the approval preset that matches your comfort level, for example

145 `Auto` for hands-off runs or `Read Only` to review edits.

146

147Expected: Codex announces the updated policy. Future actions respect the

148updated approval mode until you change it again.

149

150### Copy the latest response with `/copy`

151

1521. Type `/copy` and press Enter.

92 153

~~93Expected: Codex announces the updated policy. Future actions respect the new approval mode until you change it again.~~154Expected: Codex copies the latest completed Codex output to your clipboard.

155

156If a turn is still running, `/copy` uses the latest completed output instead of

157the in-progress response. The command is unavailable before the first completed

158Codex output and immediately after a rollback.

159

160You can also press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>O</kbd> from the main TUI to copy the

161latest completed response without opening the slash command menu.

94 162

95### Grant sandbox read access with `/sandbox-add-read-dir`163### Grant sandbox read access with `/sandbox-add-read-dir`

96 164

991. Type `/sandbox-add-read-dir C:\absolute\directory\path` and press Enter.1671. Type `/sandbox-add-read-dir C:\absolute\directory\path` and press Enter.

1002. Confirm the path is an existing absolute directory.1682. Confirm the path is an existing absolute directory.

101 169

102Expected: Codex refreshes the Windows sandbox policy and grants read access to that directory for later commands that run in the sandbox.170Expected: Codex refreshes the Windows sandbox policy and grants read access to

171that directory for later commands that run in the sandbox.

103 172

104### Inspect the session with `/status`173### Inspect the session with `/status`

105 174

1061. In any conversation, type `/status`.1751. In any conversation, type `/status`.

1072. Review the output for the active model, approval policy, writable roots, and current token usage.1762. Review the output for the active model, approval policy, writable roots, and current token usage.

108 177

109Expected: You see a summary like what `codex status` prints in the shell, confirming Codex is operating where you expect.178Expected: You see a summary like what `codex status` prints in the shell,

179confirming Codex is operating where you expect.

110 180

111### Inspect config layers with `/debug-config`181### Inspect config layers with `/debug-config`

112 182

1131. Type `/debug-config`.1831. Type `/debug-config`.

1142. Review the output for config layer order (lowest precedence first), on/off state, and policy sources.1842. Review the output for config layer order (lowest precedence first), on/off

185 state, and policy sources.

115 186

116Expected: Codex prints layer diagnostics plus policy details such as `allowed_approval_policies`, `allowed_sandbox_modes`, `mcp_servers`, `rules`, `enforce_residency`, and `experimental_network` when configured.187Expected: Codex prints layer diagnostics plus policy details such as

188`allowed_approval_policies`, `allowed_sandbox_modes`, `mcp_servers`, `rules`,

189`enforce_residency`, and `experimental_network` when configured.

117 190

118Use this output to debug why an effective setting differs from `config.toml`.191Use this output to debug why an effective setting differs from `config.toml`.

119 192

1221. Type `/statusline`.1951. Type `/statusline`.

1232. Use the picker to toggle and reorder items, then confirm.1962. Use the picker to toggle and reorder items, then confirm.

124 197

125Expected: The footer status line updates immediately and persists to `tui.status_line` in `config.toml`.198Expected: The footer status line updates immediately and persists to

199`tui.status_line` in `config.toml`.

200

201Available status-line items include model, model+reasoning, context stats, rate

202limits, git branch, token counters, session id, current directory/project root,

203and Codex version.

126 204

127Available status-line items include model, model+reasoning, context stats, rate limits, git branch, token counters, session id, current directory/project root, and Codex version.205### Configure terminal title items with `/title`

206

2071. Type `/title`.

2082. Use the picker to toggle and reorder items, then confirm.

209

210Expected: The terminal window or tab title updates immediately and persists to

211`tui.terminal_title` in `config.toml`.

212

213Available title items include app name, project, spinner, status, thread, git

214branch, model, and task progress.

215

216### Remap TUI shortcuts with `/keymap`

217

218Use `/keymap` to inspect, update, and persist keyboard shortcut bindings for the TUI.

219

2201. Type `/keymap`.

2212. Pick the shortcut context and action you want to change.

2223. Enter the new binding or remove the existing one.

223

224Expected: Codex updates the active keymap and writes the custom binding to `tui.keymap` in `config.toml`.

225

226Key bindings use names such as `ctrl-a`, `shift-enter`, and `page-down`. Context-specific bindings override `tui.keymap.global`; an empty binding list unbinds the action.

128 227

129### Check background terminals with `/ps`228### Check background terminals with `/ps`

130 229

1311. Type `/ps`.2301. Type `/ps`.

1322. Review the list of background terminals and their status.2312. Review the list of background terminals and their status.

133 232

134Expected: Codex shows each background terminal’s command plus up to three recent, non-empty output lines so you can gauge progress at a glance.233Expected: Codex shows each background terminal's command plus up to three

234recent, non-empty output lines so you can gauge progress at a glance.

135 235

136Background terminals appear when `unified_exec` is in use; otherwise, the list may be empty.236Background terminals appear when `unified_exec` is in use; otherwise, the list may be empty.

137 237

238### Stop background terminals with `/stop`

239

2401. Type `/stop`.

2412. Confirm if Codex asks before stopping the listed terminals.

242

243Expected: Codex stops all background terminals for the current session. `/clean`

244is still available as an alias for `/stop`.

245

138### Keep transcripts lean with `/compact`246### Keep transcripts lean with `/compact`

139 247

1401. After a long exchange, type `/compact`.2481. After a long exchange, type `/compact`.

1412. Confirm when Codex offers to summarize the conversation so far.2492. Confirm when Codex offers to summarize the conversation so far.

142 250

143Expected: Codex replaces earlier turns with a concise summary, freeing context while keeping critical details.251Expected: Codex replaces earlier turns with a concise summary, freeing context

252while keeping critical details.

144 253

145### Review changes with `/diff`254### Review changes with `/diff`

146 255

1471. Type `/diff` to inspect the Git diff.2561. Type `/diff` to inspect the Git diff.

1482. Scroll through the output inside the CLI to review edits and added files.2572. Scroll through the output inside the CLI to review edits and added files.

149 258

150Expected: Codex shows changes you’ve staged, changes you haven’t staged yet, and files Git hasn’t started tracking, so you can decide what to keep.259Expected: Codex shows changes you've staged, changes you haven't staged yet,

260and files Git hasn't started tracking, so you can decide what to keep.

151 261

152### Highlight files with `/mention`262### Highlight files with `/mention`

153 263

160 270

1611. Type `/new` and press Enter.2711. Type `/new` and press Enter.

162 272

163Expected: Codex starts a fresh conversation in the same CLI session, so you can switch tasks without leaving your terminal.273Expected: Codex starts a fresh conversation in the same CLI session, so you

274can switch tasks without leaving your terminal.

275

276Unlike `/clear`, `/new` doesn't clear the current terminal view first.

164 277

165### Resume a saved conversation with `/resume`278### Resume a saved conversation with `/resume`

166 279

1671. Type `/resume` and press Enter.2801. Type `/resume` and press Enter.

1682. Choose the session you want from the saved-session picker.2812. Choose the session you want from the saved-session picker.

169 282

170Expected: Codex reloads the selected conversation’s transcript so you can pick up where you left off, keeping the original history intact.283Expected: Codex reloads the selected conversation's transcript so you can pick

284up where you left off, keeping the original history intact.

171 285

172### Fork the current conversation with `/fork`286### Fork the current conversation with `/fork`

173 287

1741. Type `/fork` and press Enter.2881. Type `/fork` and press Enter.

175 289

176Expected: Codex clones the current conversation into a new thread with a fresh ID, leaving the original transcript untouched so you can explore an alternative approach in parallel.290Expected: Codex clones the current conversation into a new thread with a fresh

291ID, leaving the original transcript untouched so you can explore an alternative

292approach in parallel.

293

294If you need to fork a saved session instead of the current one, run

295`codex fork` in your terminal to open the session picker.

296

297### Start a side conversation with `/side`

298

299Use `/side` to start an ephemeral fork from the current conversation without switching away from the main task.

300

3011. Type `/side` to open a side conversation.

3022. Optionally add inline text, for example `/side Check whether this plan has an obvious risk`.

3033. Return to the parent thread after the focused detour finishes.

177 304

178If you need to fork a saved session instead of the current one, run `codex fork` in your terminal to open the session picker.305Expected: Codex opens a side conversation whose transcript is separate from the parent thread. While you are in side mode, the TUI continues to show parent-thread status so you can see whether the main task is still running.

306

307`/side` is unavailable inside another side conversation and during review mode.

179 308

180### Generate `AGENTS.md` with `/init`309### Generate `AGENTS.md` with `/init`

181 310

1821. Run `/init` in the directory where you want Codex to look for persistent instructions.3111. Run `/init` in the directory where you want Codex to look for persistent instructions.

1832. Review the generated `AGENTS.md`, then edit it to match your repository conventions.3122. Review the generated `AGENTS.md`, then edit it to match your repository conventions.

184 313

185Expected: Codex creates an `AGENTS.md` scaffold you can refine and commit for future sessions.314Expected: Codex creates an `AGENTS.md` scaffold you can refine and commit for

315future sessions.

186 316

187### Ask for a working tree review with `/review`317### Ask for a working tree review with `/review`

188 318

1891. Type `/review`.3191. Type `/review`.

1902. Follow up with `/diff` if you want to inspect the exact file changes.3202. Follow up with `/diff` if you want to inspect the exact file changes.

191 321

192Expected: Codex summarizes issues it finds in your working tree, focusing on behavior changes and missing tests. It uses the current session model unless you set `review_model` in `config.toml`.322Expected: Codex summarizes issues it finds in your working tree, focusing on

323behavior changes and missing tests. It uses the current session model unless

324you set `review_model` in `config.toml`.

193 325

194### List MCP tools with `/mcp`326### List MCP tools with `/mcp`

195 327

198 330

199Expected: You see the configured Model Context Protocol (MCP) tools Codex can call in this session.331Expected: You see the configured Model Context Protocol (MCP) tools Codex can call in this session.

200 332

333Use `/mcp verbose` to include detailed server diagnostics. If you pass anything other than `verbose`, Codex shows the command usage.

334

201### Browse apps with `/apps`335### Browse apps with `/apps`

202 336

2031. Type `/apps`.3371. Type `/apps`.

2042. Pick an app from the list.3382. Pick an app from the list.

205 339

206Expected: Codex inserts the app mention into the composer as `$app-slug`, so you can immediately ask Codex to use it.340Expected: Codex inserts the app mention into the composer as `$app-slug`, so

341you can immediately ask Codex to use it.

342

343### Browse plugins with `/plugins`

344

3451. Type `/plugins`.

3462. Choose a marketplace tab, then pick a plugin to inspect its capabilities or available actions.

347

348Expected: Codex opens the plugin browser so you can review installed plugins,

349discoverable plugins that your configuration allows, and installed plugin state.

350Press <kbd>Space</kbd> on an installed plugin to toggle its enabled state.

207 351

208### Switch agent threads with `/agent`352### Switch agent threads with `/agent`

209 353

2101. Type `/agent` and press Enter.3541. Type `/agent` and press Enter.

2112. Select the thread you want from the picker.3552. Select the thread you want from the picker.

212 356

213Expected: Codex switches the active thread so you can inspect or continue that agent’s work.357Expected: Codex switches the active thread so you can inspect or continue that

358agent's work.

214 359

215### Send feedback with `/feedback`360### Send feedback with `/feedback`

216 361

2171. Type `/feedback` and press Enter.3621. Type `/feedback` and press Enter.

2182. Follow the prompts to include logs or diagnostics.3632. Follow the prompts to include logs or diagnostics.

219 364

220Expected: Codex collects the requested diagnostics and submits them to the maintainers.365Expected: Codex collects the requested diagnostics and submits them to the

366maintainers.

221 367

222### Sign out with `/logout`368### Sign out with `/logout`

223 369

cli/slash-commands.md Codex Docs, 2026-02-21 00:33 UTC → 2026-05-07 20:02 UTC