Slash commands
Every Mel slash command in one table: /plan, /compact, /model, /pin and more.
What slash commands does Mel have? Type / at the start of the input, in the terminal or in an agent conversation, and a menu of commands opens above it. Keep typing to filter, use ↑ and ↓ to move, Enter to run, and Esc to clear. Every built-in command is in the table below.
Slash command reference
| Command | In an agent conversation | Typed in the terminal |
|---|---|---|
/mel | Opens a fresh conversation with the agent | Opens a new conversation (the same as Ctrl+Enter, ⌘Enter on a Mac) |
/plan | /plan <task>: the agent researches first and proposes a plan before changing anything. See Planning | Opens a new conversation with /plan already typed, ready for the task |
/model | Switches the model or Auto mode for this conversation | Opens a new conversation |
/compact | Summarizes earlier turns to free up context. /compact <what to keep> steers the summary. See Conversation management | Opens a new conversation |
/conversations | Browse your past conversations | Opens the conversation picker |
/prompts | Opens Mel Drive, where your saved prompts are | The same |
/open-file | Open any project file in Mel's editor | The same |
/explorer | Browse the project file tree | The same |
/orchestrate-agent | A lead agent plans and hands the work to a team of Mel agents. See Orchestration | The same |
/orchestrate-cli | A lead agent hands the work to CLI agents (Claude Code, Codex, Gemini, OpenCode) | The same |
/pin | /pin <file> pins a project file, /pin note <text> pins a note; the agent sees it on every turn in this project | Opens a new conversation, where you type it again |
/pins | Lists what's pinned for this project | Opens a new conversation, where you type it again |
The menu matches what you type anywhere in a command's name or its description, so /file finds /open-file.
Commands that work when typed
These aren't in the menu, but they work in an agent conversation:
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
/unpin <number or path> | Removes a pin. /pins shows the numbers |
/always-ask | Takes back every "Always allow" you ticked in this conversation, so approval cards come back |
/signin (or /login) | Opens the sign-in window |
/signout (or /logout) | Signs you out |
/whoami (or /account) | Says which account you're signed in as |
Your own prompts as commands
Prompts in your Library appear in the same menu as /their-name. If a prompt needs something filled in, Mel asks for it before it runs. A prompt can't take the name of a built-in command: /plan always means plan mode.
When / is not a command
The menu only opens when what you typed matches a command. A path such as /usr/bin/ls runs as an ordinary shell command. In an agent conversation, start a line with ! to run it in the shell instead of sending it to the agent.
Steps: plan, build, then tidy up
- Type
/plan add rate limiting to the APIand press Enter. - Read and edit the plan, then approve it.
- When the conversation gets long, type
/compact the rate limiterto keep what matters and free up room. - Pin the file you keep coming back to:
/pin src/limits.rs.
FAQ
How do I see all slash commands? Type / on its own. The menu lists every command, then your Library prompts.
Is there a slash command to clear the context? /compact summarizes the conversation to free up room. To start from nothing, use /mel for a fresh conversation.
Can I make my own slash commands? Yes. Save a prompt in your Library and run it as /its-name.