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The chat area is the main CC GUI surface. You watch how the assistant thinks, which tools it calls, which files it changes, and how much context this turn uses. Chat with tool calls

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Empty session and welcome screen

A new session with no messages shows a welcome screen: the current provider logo, a version number, and “Send a message to …”. Click the version number to open the changelog. After the SDK is installed and a provider is enabled, the input box is ready. If it says the SDK is not installed, Go to install jumps to SDK dependencies.

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What a message can contain

Assistant messages are usually several blocks: A tool call spins while it runs. After a multi-step task finishes, the spinner should stop. If it keeps spinning, see FAQ. Click a message to rewind to before that turn. See Sessions, tabs, and history.

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Streaming and stop

Streaming is on by default: text and tool blocks appear as they are generated. Turn it off in Settings → General → Behavior to receive the full reply at once. While generating, the input box becomes Stop. Click it to interrupt the current turn:
  • Claude / Codex: end the current request
  • Grok / Kimi / OpenCode / Pi: also end the matching child process
If you stop it yourself, completion toasts and sounds do not play.

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Search in the conversation

Press Cmd+F (Windows / Linux: Ctrl+F) to search inside the chat.
  • Enter / Shift+Enter: next / previous
  • Esc: close
If early messages are collapsed, search expands them first, then jumps. Search in the conversation

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Context usage

The context indicator near the input box shows how much of the current window is used. Click it for a finer breakdown. When you are close to the limit:
  • Send /compact so the model summarizes earlier turns
  • Start a new session and keep only the files you need
  • Avoid pasting large logs. Use @ to cite files instead
Context usage

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Status panel

On longer tasks, a status panel appears on the right or bottom: Status panel Undoing file changes cannot be undone again. Review the list before you confirm.

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Permissions, questions, and Plan

When the model wants to edit files, run a command, or ask you a multiple-choice question, a dialog appears. The timeout is in Settings → General → Behavior. After timeout the dialog closes and the model continues with the current policy. In plan mode, the model first gives a read-only plan and waits for your approval before changing code. See Run modes and permissions.

Input box

@, /, #, !, attachments, and the send shortcut.

Sessions and history

Tabs, favorites, export, and rewind.