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Basic Chat Operations

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RenzMc edited this page Sep 6, 2025 · 1 revision

💬 Basic Chat Operations

This guide explains how to use the basic chat functionality of the Acode AI CLI Assistant Plugin.

🎯 Accessing the AI Assistant

There are several ways to open the AI assistant:

Keyboard Shortcut

  • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + A
  • Mac: Cmd + Shift + A

Through Menu

  1. Open Acode
  2. Tap the AI CLI Assistant icon in the sidebar

📝 Chat Interface

The chat interface consists of three main components:

Message Display Area

  • Shows the conversation history between you and the AI
  • Displays both your queries and AI responses
  • Supports markdown formatting for rich text
  • Auto-scrolls to show the latest messages

Input Text Area

  • Where you type your queries
  • Supports multi-line input (use Shift + Enter for new lines)
  • Has a placeholder with usage instructions

Action Buttons

  • Send Button: Submit your query to the AI
  • Stop Button: Cancel ongoing AI generation
  • New Chat Button: Start a fresh conversation
  • History Button: Access previous conversations

📥 Sending Queries

Simple Questions

You can ask the AI anything related to coding:

How do I create a React component?
Explain what a promise is in JavaScript
What's the difference between let and const?

Code-Related Queries

For more specific coding assistance:

How can I optimize this function?
Explain this SQL query
Convert this Python code to JavaScript

Project-Level Questions

Ask about your entire project:

How should I organize this project?
What's the best way to structure these files?
Suggest improvements to my architecture

📤 Receiving Responses

Response Formatting

AI responses are formatted with:

  • Markdown support: Code blocks, lists, headers, etc.
  • Syntax highlighting: For code snippets in responses
  • Copy buttons: Easy copying of code blocks
  • Smooth animations: For better visual experience

Response Actions

After receiving a response, you can:

  • Copy code blocks: Click the copy button on any code block
  • Copy entire messages: Use the menu option to copy all messages
  • Export conversations: Save chats for future reference

📚 Conversation History

The plugin automatically saves your conversations:

Accessing History

  1. Click the History button in the chat header
  2. Browse through previous conversations
  3. Click on any conversation to load it

Managing History

  • Delete conversations: Use the X button next to each history item
  • Clear all history: Use the menu option to clear all chat history
  • Export conversations: Save chats as JSON files for backup

History Storage

  • Conversations are saved locally on your device
  • Each conversation is associated with its first query
  • History is encrypted along with API keys for security

🔄 Starting New Conversations

To start a fresh conversation:

  1. Click the New Chat button in the chat header
  2. Or use the menu option "Clear Chat History"
  3. The message display area will be cleared
  4. Previous conversation history is saved automatically

⚡ Real-Time Features

Streaming Responses

  • AI responses appear character by character for a natural feel
  • You can stop generation at any time using the Stop button
  • Visual indicators show when the AI is thinking

Context Awareness

The AI automatically has context about:

  • Current file name and extension
  • Current file content
  • Cursor position
  • Project structure

🛠️ Advanced Chat Options

Menu Features

Click the menu icon (three dots) in the chat header to access:

  • Clear Chat History: Start with a clean slate
  • Export Conversation: Save the current chat
  • Copy All Messages: Copy entire conversation to clipboard
  • Bulk Operations: Access file management tools
  • Project Organization: Get AI-powered project structure suggestions
  • Settings: Adjust plugin configuration

Model Selection

Change the AI model without switching providers:

  1. Click the menu icon
  2. Select "Model"
  3. Choose from available models
  4. The conversation continues with the new model

📋 Best Practices for Chatting

Effective Queries

  • Be specific about what you need
  • Include relevant context when possible
  • Ask one question at a time for clearer responses

Code Examples

When asking about code:

  • Include the relevant code snippet
  • Mention the programming language if not obvious
  • Describe what you're trying to achieve

Follow-Up Questions

  • You can ask follow-up questions in the same conversation
  • The AI remembers previous messages in the conversation
  • This helps provide more contextually relevant responses

🐛 Troubleshooting Chat Issues

Common Chat Problems

No Response

  • Check your internet connection
  • Verify your API key is valid
  • Ensure the selected AI provider is functioning

Slow Responses

  • Some providers may be slower than others
  • Large context can slow down responses
  • Try switching to a faster model or provider

Inaccurate Responses

  • AI models can sometimes provide incorrect information
  • Verify critical code before implementing
  • Try rephrasing your query for better results

Formatting Issues

  • Some complex markdown may not render perfectly
  • Code blocks should always display correctly
  • Report rendering issues on GitHub

Chat Verification

To verify chat functionality:

  1. Open the AI assistant
  2. Send a simple test query
  3. Wait for response
  4. Check that formatting and code blocks display correctly

📞 Getting Help

If you encounter issues with chat operations:

  1. Check the Common Issues documentation
  2. Visit our GitHub Issues page
  3. Join our Discussions community for support

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