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Inputs

Slash Commands

Typing / in the composer opens quick actions, templates, or model switches. Power users stay keyboard-first without leaving the input.

Interactive demo

/edit
/explain
/test

Overview

How might we design slash commands so people can trust and act on AI output?

When to use

  • Perfect for IDEs, productivity tools, and developer environments where power users need quick keyboard-first access to AI models, templates, and actions.

When to skip

  • Consumer surfaces where most users never learn command syntax and would never discover the feature.
  • Products with very few actions, where a visible button is faster to find than a hidden command.
  • Mobile-first composers where a slash menu competes with the on-screen keyboard for space.

Rules

  • No visible hint that "/" does anything, leaving the feature undiscoverable.

  • Commands with cryptic names and no description or preview of what they do.

  • Slash menu and a separate "+" menu offering overlapping actions with no shared mental model.

  • Breaking normal typing when a message legitimately starts with a "/" character.

Evidence

ProductImplementation
SlackSlash commands trigger integrations and actions like /remind or /poll from the message box.
NotionTyping "/" opens a block-type and AI-action menu inline in the document.
DiscordSlash commands expose bot and app actions with argument autocomplete.
MidjourneySlash commands like /imagine and /blend are the primary way to invoke generation.

Real-world examples

See all

FAQ

What are slash commands in AI chat interfaces?

Slash commands let users type "/" in a chat or composer input to open a menu of quick actions, templates, or model switches, then select one with the keyboard instead of hunting through a settings menu.

Are slash commands only useful for power users?

Mostly yes. Slash commands reward users who already know the vocabulary of available actions, so they work best as an accelerator layered on top of discoverable buttons, not as the only way to reach a feature.

How is a slash command different from an @ mention?

Slash commands invoke actions or templates; @ mentions reference context like files, people, or agents. Some products use both in the same composer, so distinct trigger characters and menu styling help users tell them apart.