---
title: Chat
description: CodePilot's chat features — modes, permissions, and context management.
---

# Chat

Chat is CodePilot's core feature. This is where you collaborate with Claude on programming tasks.

## Conversation Modes

CodePilot offers three conversation modes, switchable at any time from above the input box:

### Code Mode

The default mode. Claude has full tool access and can:

- Read and write project files
- Execute terminal commands
- Call MCP tools
- Search the codebase

Best for everyday development tasks: writing code, fixing bugs, refactoring, deploying.

### Plan Mode

Planning mode. Claude only analyzes and formulates plans — **it will not execute any actions**.

- Analyzes problems and proposes implementation plans
- Lists files and steps that need to be changed
- Evaluates the pros and cons of different approaches

Best for thinking things through before taking action, or assessing the impact of large changes.

### Ask Mode

Q&A mode. Claude only answers questions and does not use any tools.

- Explains code logic
- Answers technical questions
- Discusses architecture and design

Best for pure knowledge Q&A scenarios where Claude does not need access to project files.

## Permission Control

### Session Permissions

Each conversation lets you choose a permission level:

- **Default** — Claude will ask for confirmation before performing sensitive operations (writing files, running commands)
- **Full Access** — Claude can automatically perform all operations without individual confirmation

The permission selector is next to the chat input box. Use Default for exploratory tasks; use Full Access for trusted, repetitive tasks.

### Permission Dialog

When Claude needs to perform a restricted operation, a permission confirmation dialog appears showing:

- Tool name and parameters
- Description of the operation
- Allow / Deny buttons

You can review each of Claude's actions one by one.

## Context Management

### Context Usage Indicator

The circular progress bar next to the input box shows the current conversation's context window usage. Hover over it for details:

- Tokens used
- Total available tokens
- Usage percentage

When the context approaches its limit, Claude will automatically compress message history to continue the conversation.

### Conversation Rewind

CodePilot supports rewinding a conversation to a previous point. Each user message is a rewind point — you can go back to any earlier message and restart the conversation from there.

## Input Features

### File Attachments

You can attach image files in the input box for Claude to analyze screenshots or design mockups. Supports drag-and-drop or clicking the attachment button.

### Slash Commands

Type `/` to trigger the slash command menu for quick access to common actions.

### @-Mentions

Type `@` to reference files or context, helping Claude focus on specific content.

## Session Management

### Import CLI Sessions

If you have previously used the Claude Code CLI, you can use the **Import Session** feature to bring CLI conversations into CodePilot. Supports searching and filtering past sessions.

### Provider Switching

The conversation header shows the current provider. You can switch providers mid-conversation — subsequent messages will be processed by the new provider. Each conversation remembers its provider setting.