Every command

Commands starting with / are typed in Kaivo's message box. The others run from your terminal. You can also search and copy them on the Documentation page.

/new (also /clear): Starts a new, empty conversation. The previous one is saved and can be reopened with /sessions.

/sessions (also /resume): Opens the list of your saved conversations so you can resume one, with its whole history.

/rename: Renames the current conversation so you can find it easily.

/export: Writes the conversation to a Markdown file (automatic name, or the one you give).

/copy: Copies Kaivo's last answer to the clipboard.

/recap: Asks Kaivo for a short recap: what was done, what is left, the decisions made.

/compact: Summarises the conversation and continues in a new session that starts from that summary, to free up room without losing the thread. Kaivo also does it on its own near the limit.

/init: Kaivo analyses the project and writes Kaivo.md: test commands, code style, conventions. It reads it again at every launch.

/plan: Asks for a detailed plan before acting. Kaivo reads the project but changes nothing and runs no command that changes anything.

/goal: Give a goal: Kaivo splits it into short steps, does them one by one and asks for your approval before each change.

/explain: Explains a file, a function or a folder in plain words: what it's for, how it works, the tricky parts. Changes nothing.

/fix: Describe a problem: Kaivo looks for the cause by reading the code, explains it in one sentence, then proposes the smallest possible fix.

/commit: Kaivo looks at your changes, proposes a clear commit message and only commits if you agree.

/todo: Finds every TODO, FIXME and HACK in the project and lists them by file, with a suggested priority.

/memory: Shows Kaivo.md, the project's memory, or offers to create it if it doesn't exist.

/quick (also /rapide): Quick chat for small scripts (Python, Lua/Luau for Roblox, Bash…). Kaivo answers without tools: it neither reads nor changes your project. A QUICK badge shows in the status bar; /quick again to go back to normal mode.

/mcp (also /plugin, /plugins): Connects Kaivo to other tools through MCP servers: Roblox Studio, a browser, library documentation… /mcp add roblox installs it in one command (Node.js required). Restart kaivo after adding one; every tool of a plugin asks for your approval.

/skills: Lists the installed skills (in the project's .kaivo/skills and in ~/.kaivo/skills) and reminds you how to add some. Each skill also runs with /skill-name.

/create-skill: You describe what the skill should do, Kaivo writes its folder and SKILL.md. Add --global so it works in all your projects.

/add-skill: Installs an existing skill from a folder, a SKILL.md file or a link (GitHub links work). Add --global to keep it for all your projects.

/image: Attaches the image in your clipboard to your message (screenshot, mock-up, error). Shortcut: alt+v. You can also drop an image file into the terminal. Requests with an image go through a free model that can read images.

/files: Opens the file picker to attach an image to your message.

/diff: Kaivo runs git status and git diff, then summarises the current changes file by file.

/review (also /code-review): Reviews your current changes and flags likely bugs, things forgotten and improvements, most important first. Changes nothing.

/security-review: Security review: hard-coded secrets, injections, unchecked input, risky dependencies, wrong permissions. Ranked by severity, with a fix for each problem.

/simplify: Reviews recently changed code and simplifies it without changing what it does: dead code, repetition. You see the changes before they're applied.

/verify: Finds and runs the build, lint and test commands, then summarises what passes, what fails and the likely cause of each failure.

/run: Finds out how to start the project, starts it, then tells you what shows up and whether everything seems to work.

/model: Opens the model picker. With your Kaivo account the model is chosen for you; if you set your own keys (OpenAI, Anthropic…), you choose here.

/theme: Opens the terminal colour theme picker.

/readonly: Turns read-only on or off during the session: no more changes or commands. Accepts on or off; without an argument, it toggles.

/custom-key: Adds your own API key: OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, Groq, OpenRouter, xAI, Mistral, DeepSeek, or any OpenAI-compatible API. When the Kaivo model reaches its limit or is overloaded, Kaivo retries the request with your key, on its own. The key stays on your computer (~/.kaivo/keys.json); requests are billed by your provider.

/bypass: No human approves anything any more: Kaivo changes your files and runs commands without asking. A red BYPASS badge stays in the bottom bar. Keep it for a project under Git. /bypass off to go back; turning it on leaves read-only.

/permissions: Opens a window that explains the three modes (normal, read-only, bypass) and marks the active one.

/status: Opens a window with the session status: version, signed-in account, model, permission mode, working folder and context used.

/stats: Opens a dashboard of your activity: sessions, messages, tokens, active days, current and best streak, with an activity calendar. It also shows on the home screen. The numbers come from your sessions saved on this computer.

/usage (also /cost, /context): Opens a window right away: your account, your usage limits (one bar for the 5-hour session and one for the week, with the reset time), the cost of the conversation, the context used and your project's activity.

/doctor: Runs the installation check and opens the full report in a window: running program, sign-in, network, tools.

/update: Looks for and installs the latest version, then asks you to quit and restart kaivo to use it.

/version: Shows the installed version of Kaivo CLI.

/config: Opens a window that shows where the configuration files, the project memory and your session are.

/login: Opens your browser to sign in to your Kaivo account.

/signup: Opens your browser on the Kaivo sign-up page, then signs you in.

/logout: Deletes the session saved on this computer.

/whoami: Shows the signed-in Kaivo account.

/help (also /?, /commands): Opens the list of every command (the palette), including your custom commands. Pick one to run it.

/docs: Opens the Kaivo CLI documentation in your browser.

/feedback (also /bug): Prepares an e-mail to the team, with the Kaivo version in the subject. Tell us what works and what doesn't.

/logs: Opens the application logs, useful to understand unexpected behaviour.

/quit (also /exit): Quits Kaivo CLI, after confirmation.

kaivo: Starts Kaivo CLI in the current folder. If you aren't signed in, a screen offers to sign in or create an account.

kaivo login: Opens the sign-in screen: Sign in or Create an account, then finish in the browser.

kaivo signup: Opens the sign-up page directly in your browser.

kaivo logout: Deletes the session saved on this computer.

kaivo whoami: Shows the e-mail address of the signed-in account.

kaivo -p: Headless mode: one question, one answer, then the program stops. Every permission is accepted automatically: add --read-only if you want it to change nothing.

kaivo -p -f json: Same thing, with JSON output for your scripts.

kaivo --bypass: Starts Kaivo straight in bypass mode: no approval requests. Same precautions as /bypass (project under Git, right folder).

kaivo --read-only: Read-only: Kaivo reads and analyses your project but can neither change a file nor run a command, even with -p. Ideal to audit a project or in a script.

kaivo doctor: Checks the installation: conflicting command in the PATH, sign-in, access to the site, tools and language servers found. Exits with an error code if it finds a real problem.

kaivo -update: Updates Kaivo automatically: downloads the latest version, checks its SHA-256 fingerprint and replaces the program. Same as kaivo update; add --check to only check.

kaivo -c: Starts Kaivo CLI in another folder.

kaivo -d: Turns on debug logs.

kaivo -v: Shows the installed version.