Chat Mode Context Selection

Learn how Continue selects relevant context for your chat requests, including text input, highlighted code, active files.

How to Use Text Input

Typing a question or instructions into the input box is the only required context.

How to Include Highlighted Code

The highlighted code you’ve selected by pressing cmd/ctrl + L (VS Code) or cmd/ctrl + J (JetBrains) will be included in your prompt.

How to Include the Active File

You can include the currently open file as context by pressing opt/alt + enter when you send your request.

How to Include a Specific File

You can include a specific file in your current workspace by typing ‘@Files’ and selecting the file.

Codebase Search

For better codebase awareness, see our guide on making agent mode aware of codebases and documentation.

How to Include Documentation Sites

For better documentation awareness, see our guide on making agent mode aware of codebases and documentation.

How to Include Terminal Contents

You can include the contents of the terminal in your IDE by typing ‘@Terminal’.

How to Include Git Diff

You can include all of the changes you’ve made to your current branch by typing ‘@Git Diff’.

How to Use Other Context Providers

You can see a full list of built-in context providers here.