# 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 the project's checks and a review of the result.
- Start with a read-only request when exploring an unfamiliar repository.
Example:
```text
Find where configuration is loaded. Explain its precedence, then add support for PROJECT_TIMEOUT without changing existing defaults. Run the project's relevant checks.
```
## 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.
Open a panel from the header or use its shortcut:
- `Alt-1`: Activity Tree. Select a tool call to inspect captured output.
- `Alt-2`: Session Files. See recorded reads, writes, and edits.
- `Alt-3`: Summary. Start or stop optional progress summaries.
Panels stack in opening order. Click **Pin** or press `Alt-A` to place them beside Transcript instead of over it. If none are open, pinning opens all three; unpinning then closes them. Pinned panels hide on Changes and return on Transcript.
`Tab` moves focus through Prompt, Transcript, and pinned panels. Click Prompt or start typing to return to it. Close a panel with its header toggle or Hide control. `Esc` closes unpinned panels after dismissing autocomplete; pinned panels stay open.
Panel layout saves automatically and returns on restart. Focus and scroll positions do not.
## Add repository context
Type `@` to find a file and insert its path into your prompt. Type `$` to find an enabled skill.
File tags insert paths, not file contents. Skill tags ask the agent to load a skill; they do not load it automatically.
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.
`#diff-changes` sends unresolved comments and their anchors, not the changed code. Resolving a comment does not remove copies already sent.
## 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:
| `/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
| `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).