# Mission Control
Mission Control is magi-code's terminal interface. Use it to talk with the agent, follow its work, review changes, and manage sessions.
## Write and send prompts
Type in the prompt area and press `Enter` to submit.
For a new line, use `Ctrl-J`. `Shift-Enter` and `Ctrl-Enter` also work in terminals that preserve those key combinations.
Useful prompt habits:
- State the outcome you want.
- Name constraints that matter, such as files not to change.
- Ask for verification when a change should pass tests or checks.
- Start with a read-only request when exploring an unfamiliar repository.
Example:
```text
Find where configuration is loaded. Explain current precedence, then add support for PROJECT_TIMEOUT without changing existing defaults. Run relevant tests.
```
## Follow work
The transcript shows your prompts and the agent's responses. Use `Shift-Tab` to switch between Transcript and Changes, which shows worktree changes and review comments. `Tab` moves between Prompt and Transcript, or between the Changes columns.
The header shows `[Alt+1-3] [ ] Activities, [ ] Files, [ ] Summary • [Alt-A] Pin` on the first row and `[Shift-Tab] Cycle Tabs` on the second, both right-aligned. Open panels use `[•]` and the active color. Click a label or use its shortcut to toggle a right-side modal:
- `Alt-1`: Activity Tree, with tools and subagents. Select an activity to inspect its captured output.
- `Alt-2`: Session Files, with recorded reads, writes, and edits.
- `Alt-3`: Summary, with optional session progress summaries.
Open several header modals to stack them top-to-bottom in opening order, sharing available height equally. Closing one expands the others; reopening adds it at the bottom. Letters, numbers, and `/` focus Prompt without closing them; clicking Prompt also focuses it. With modals unpinned, `Tab` cycles only Prompt and Transcript unless autocomplete accepts it. Rail clicks and `Shift-Tab` switch views while keeping the stack open. A close button or header toggle closes only its modal. `Esc` dismisses prompt autocomplete first, then closes the focused unpinned modal, or the last opened when no modal has focus.
Click **Pin** in the header or press `Alt-A` to pin all column modals beside Transcript. If none are open, pinning opens all three and unpinning closes them. Otherwise unpinning restores overlays. Transcript narrows to make room instead of sitting behind them. Pinned modals hide on Changes and return when you switch back, keeping their order and scroll positions. `Tab` then cycles Prompt, Transcript, and open modals in opening order. Pinned modals ignore `Esc`; use their top-right Hide control or `Alt-1/2/3`. Hide shortcuts stay visible whether pinned or not; other shortcut hints and the focused border color appear only on the focused modal. Closing the last modal turns pin off. Switching sessions keeps your panel layout and pin state while replacing session content. Open panels, their order, and pin behavior save automatically in global settings and return on restart. Startup focuses Prompt; scroll positions and keyboard focus are not saved.
## Add repository context
Type `@` to find a file and insert its path into your prompt. Type `$` to find an enabled skill.
These prompt tags add common repository context after submission:
```text
Summarize the repository structure. #tree
Explain the current branch state. #git-status
Address my unresolved review comments. #diff-changes
```
Use `!` as the first character to run a shell command directly without asking a provider:
```text
!git status
```
The command still uses magi-code's shell guardrails, but those guardrails are not an operating-system sandbox.
## Review changes
Select Changes on the right rail or press `Shift-Tab` from Transcript. Choose a file to compare its current content with `HEAD`.
Select a changed line and press `Enter` to leave a review comment. Comments stay local until you include `#diff-changes` in a prompt. Review comments may contain source context, so do not put secrets in them.
## Guide work while it runs
Submit another message while work is active to queue guidance for the current run. Press `Alt-C` to bring queued guidance back into the editor. If nothing is queued, `Alt-C` requests cancellation.
Cancellation occurs at safe boundaries. A provider request or tool already in progress may finish first.
## Use slash commands
Common commands:
| Command | Action |
| --- | --- |
| `/help` | Open built-in help. |
| `/login` | Connect a provider. |
| `/model` | Choose a cached provider and model. |
| `/settings` | Edit and apply settings. |
| `/sessions` | Open or switch sessions. |
| `/new` | Start a new session. |
| `/compact` | Shorten provider context while retaining local history. |
| `/side` | Open a separate side conversation. |
| `/export` | Save the current session as a local ZIP. |
| `/theme` | Change colors. |
| `/update` | Update magi-code. |
| `/quit` | Exit. |
Run `/help` for the complete list.
## Essential keys
| Key | Action |
| --- | --- |
| `Enter` | Submit prompt. |
| `Ctrl-J` | Insert newline. |
| `Tab` | Move between panes. |
| `Shift-Tab` | Switch Transcript/Changes. |
| `F1` | Open help. |
| `Alt-1` / `Alt-2` / `Alt-3` | Toggle Activity Tree / Session Files / Summary. |
| `Alt-C` | Recall queued guidance or request cancellation. |
| `Ctrl-D` | Exit. |
| `Esc` | Close unpinned modal or return focus to prompt; pinned column modals stay open. |
For every shortcut, display limit, startup state, and activity-card contract, see the [Mission Control technical reference](../features/mission-control-tui.md).