What is /btw?
Both Claude CLI and QWEN CLI have a /btw feature. While the model is mid-operation (generating code, reviewing files, exploring a codebase), the user can type /btw to interrupt the model and ask a question about what it's cur$
The model then:
- Pauses its current output
- Answers the user's question
- Resumes (or adjusts) what it was doing
Use Cases
- Model is writing a long refactor, user realizes a clarification is needed →
/btw "wait, does this handle the edge case where X is null?"
- Model is exploring a codebase →
/btw "also check the auth middleware"
- Model is reviewing code →
/btw "what does that function actually do?"
Why Extensions Can't Add This
None of Command Code's user-extension mechanisms can implement /btw:
| Mechanism |
Why It Can't |
| Hooks |
Only fire before/after tool calls, not during model output |
| Skills |
Instruction sets, can't modify the stdin/stdout event loop |
| Agents |
Behavior configs, can't add new interaction modes |
| MCP |
External tool connections, unrelated to chat loop |
| Slash commands |
No user-defined slash commands supported |
/btw requires changes to the core conversation event loop: listening for a special input during model output streaming, interrupting the stream, injecting context, and resuming. This is CLI-internal plumbing.
Request
Please add a /btw (or similar interrupt-and-ask) slash command that lets users pause the model mid-operation to ask clarifying questions.
What is
/btw?Both Claude CLI and QWEN CLI have a
/btwfeature. While the model is mid-operation (generating code, reviewing files, exploring a codebase), the user can type/btwto interrupt the model and ask a question about what it's cur$The model then:
Use Cases
/btw"wait, does this handle the edge case where X is null?"/btw"also check the auth middleware"/btw"what does that function actually do?"Why Extensions Can't Add This
None of Command Code's user-extension mechanisms can implement
/btw:/btwrequires changes to the core conversation event loop: listening for a special input during model output streaming, interrupting the stream, injecting context, and resuming. This is CLI-internal plumbing.Request
Please add a
/btw(or similar interrupt-and-ask) slash command that lets users pause the model mid-operation to ask clarifying questions.