Bob IDE's chat interface is your primary workspace where you use natural language prompts, slash commands, and auto-approval for AI-assisted coding workflows.

Components of the chat interface

Chat history

Displays your conversation with Bob, including your requests, Bob's responses, and actions taken such as file edits or command executions.

Input field

Where you type your tasks and questions for Bob using natural language or use slash commands for quick actions. Pasted text appears as a compact context pill so you can see what context you've added without filling the input area.

Action buttons

Appear above the input field, allowing you to approve or reject Bob's proposed actions. Available buttons change depending on context.

Auto-approve toolbar

Located above the input field, allows you to enable auto-approval for specific actions like read, write, execute, and more to speed up your workflow.

Slash commands

Type '/' in the input field to access built-in commands (like /review, /init) and custom commands for common workflows.

Send button

Located to the right of the input field, sends your message to Bob.

New chat button

Located in the header, starts a new conversation session.

Settings button

Located in the header, opens settings to customize Bob's features and behavior.

Mode selector

A dropdown menu to the left of the chat input field for selecting which mode Bob should use for your tasks.

Writing effective prompts

Clear and specific requests yield the best results:

Strategy	Implementation
Be specific	"Fix the bug in `calculateTotal` that returns incorrect results when given negative numbers" instead of "Fix the code"
Provide context	Use @ context mentions to reference files and code sections
Break down tasks	Submit complex tasks as smaller, manageable steps
Include examples	Provide sample code when you need specific formatting or style

Example requests

Create a new file

Create a new file named `utils.py` and add a function called `add` that takes two numbers as arguments and returns their sum

Modify existing code

In the file @src/components/Button.tsx, change the color of the button to blue

Find and replace

Find all instances of the variable `oldValue` in @/src/App.js and replace them with `newValue`

Explain code

Explain the function `calculateTotal` in @/src/utils.ts

Fix problems

@problems address all detected problems

Common pitfalls to avoid

Avoid	Use
Vague instructions such as “Make it better”	Clear, specific guidance such as “Improve error handling by adding try/catch blocks.”
Relying on Bob to infer context	Explicit file and function references using @ mentions
Combining multiple unrelated tasks in a single request	One focused request at a time
Skipping validation of results	Reviewing Bob’s output to ensure it meets your requirements

Tips for complex requests

For more complex tasks:

Start with a clear overview of what you want to accomplish

Provide relevant background information

Break down the task into logical steps

Use @ mentions to reference specific files or code sections

Review Bob's responses and provide feedback to refine results

Interacting with messages

Clickable references: File paths, URLs, and other references in the chat history are clickable. Clicking a file path opens the file in the editor, while clicking a URL opens it in your default browser.

Copying text: Select text in the chat history and use the standard copy command (Ctrl + C / ⌘ + C). Code blocks include a dedicated "Copy" button for convenience.

Expanding and collapsing: Click on a message to expand or collapse it, helping you manage longer conversations.

Status indicators

Indicator	Description
Loading spinner	Appears when Bob is processing your request.
Error messages	Displayed in red when an error occurs.
Success messages	Displayed in green when actions complete successfully.

Keyboard shortcuts

You can use keyboard shortcuts to interact with the chat interface more efficiently:

Enter: Send your message (when input field is focused)

Shift + Enter: Add a new line in your message

For more keyboard shortcuts and configuration options, see Keyboard shortcuts.

Chat interface