> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.praison.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Chat

> Interactive chat mode with AI agents

The `chat` command starts an interactive chat session with an AI agent.

## Usage

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
praisonai chat [OPTIONS] [PROMPT]
```

## Arguments

| Argument | Description                         |
| -------- | ----------------------------------- |
| `PROMPT` | Initial prompt for the chat session |

## Options

| Option                     | Short | Description                                                | Default       |
| -------------------------- | ----- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- |
| `--model`                  | `-m`  | LLM model to use                                           | `gpt-4o-mini` |
| `--verbose`                | `-v`  | Verbose output                                             | `false`       |
| `--memory`                 |       | Enable memory persistence                                  | `false`       |
| `--tools`                  | `-t`  | Tools file path                                            |               |
| `--user-id`                |       | User ID for memory isolation                               |               |
| `--session`                | `-s`  | Session ID to resume                                       |               |
| `--workspace`              | `-w`  | Workspace directory                                        | current dir   |
| `--debug`                  |       | Enable debug logging to `~/.praisonai/async_tui_debug.log` | `false`       |
| `--safe`                   |       | Safe mode: require approval for file writes and commands   | `false`       |
| `--autonomy/--no-autonomy` |       | Enable agent autonomy for complex tasks                    | `true`        |
| `--ui-backend`             |       | UI backend: `auto`, `plain`, `rich`, `mg`                  | `auto`        |
| `--json`                   |       | Output JSON (forces plain backend)                         | `false`       |
| `--no-color`               |       | Disable colors                                             | `false`       |
| `--theme`                  |       | UI theme: `default`, `dark`, `light`, `minimal`            | `default`     |
| `--compact`                |       | Compact output mode                                        | `false`       |

## Examples

### Start a chat session

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
praisonai chat
```

### Chat with initial prompt

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
praisonai chat "Hello, how can you help me today?"
```

### Chat with specific model

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
praisonai chat --model gpt-4o "Explain machine learning"
```

### Chat with memory enabled

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
praisonai chat --memory "Remember my name is Alice"
```

### Resume a previous session

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
praisonai chat --session abc123
```

### Use plain text output (no colors)

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
praisonai chat --ui-backend plain "What is 2+2?"
```

### Output as JSON

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
praisonai chat --json "Summarize this text"
```

### Use middle-ground UI (enhanced streaming)

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
praisonai chat --ui-backend mg
```

## UI Backends

The `--ui-backend` flag controls how output is rendered:

| Backend | Description                                       |
| ------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| `auto`  | Auto-select best available (default)              |
| `plain` | Plain text, no colors, works everywhere           |
| `rich`  | Rich formatting with colors and panels            |
| `mg`    | Middle-ground: enhanced streaming with no flicker |

**Environment variable**: Set `PRAISONAI_UI_SAFE=1` to force plain backend.

## Interactive Commands

During a chat session, you can use these commands:

| Command                  | Description                                                |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| `/help`                  | Show available commands                                    |
| `/exit`, `/quit`         | Exit the chat session                                      |
| `/clear`                 | Clear conversation history                                 |
| `/new`                   | Start new conversation                                     |
| `/session`               | Show current session info                                  |
| `/sessions`              | List all saved sessions                                    |
| `/continue`              | Continue most recent session                               |
| `/model [name]`          | Show or change model                                       |
| `/cost`                  | Show token usage and cost                                  |
| `/history`               | Show conversation history                                  |
| `/export [file]`         | Export conversation to file                                |
| `/import <file>`         | Import conversation from file                              |
| `/status`                | Show ACP/LSP runtime status                                |
| `/auto`                  | Toggle autonomy mode (auto-delegate complex tasks)         |
| `/debug`                 | Toggle debug logging to `~/.praisonai/async_tui_debug.log` |
| `/plan <task>`           | Create a step-by-step plan for a task                      |
| `/handoff <type> <task>` | Delegate to specialized agent (code/research/review/docs)  |
| `/compact`               | Toggle compact output mode                                 |
| `/multiline`             | Toggle multiline input mode                                |
| `/files`                 | List workspace files for @ mentions                        |
| `/queue`                 | Show pending prompts in queue                              |

## Quick Start

Running `praisonai` with no arguments starts interactive mode:

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
praisonai
```

This is equivalent to `praisonai chat`.

## Features

The interactive chat mode includes:

* **ASCII Art Logo** - Beautiful PraisonAI branding on startup
* **Status Bar** - Shows model, session info, and keyboard shortcuts
* **Auto-completion** - Tab completion for commands and file paths
* **Command History** - Navigate previous commands with arrow keys
* **Markdown Rendering** - Rich formatted responses with syntax highlighting
* **Streaming Output** - Real-time response streaming

## See Also

* [Interactive TUI](/docs/cli/interactive-tui) - Full TUI interface
* [Session](/docs/cli/session) - Session management
* [Memory](/docs/cli/memory) - Memory management