Interactive Mode (Build)

The default interactive mode (bytemind) is the primary way to use ByteMind — known as Build mode. It supports multi-turn conversations, persistent context, and dynamic task adjustment. bytemind chat still works as a compatibility alias.

bytemind

How It Works

When you start chat mode, ByteMind:

1. Resolves the current directory as the workspace
2. Loads the global user config (~/.bytemind/config.json) first, then merges the workspace .bytemind/config.json on top (overriding same-name fields)
3. Initializes or resumes an existing session
4. Enters interactive mode and waits for your input

After you describe a task, the agent calls tools (read files, search code, run commands) to complete it. High-risk tool calls pause and wait for your approval.

Startup Options

Option	Description	Default
-config <path>	Custom config file path	auto-detected
-max-iterations <n>	Max tool-call turns per task	64
-workspace <path>	Workspace directory	current dir
-v	Verbose/debug output	false

Examples:

bytemind
bytemind -max-iterations 64
bytemind -config ~/.bytemind/work.json
bytemind -workspace ./my-project

Best Practices

State your goal and constraints upfront

Tell the agent what outcome you want and what it should not touch:

Add email format validation to UserService. Only change the service layer — do not modify the interface or tests.

Work in small verifiable steps

For large tasks, break work into checkpoints and confirm each one before proceeding:

First just read the relevant files and analyze the current implementation. Do not make any changes yet.

Activate skills to accelerate specific workflows

Built-in skills significantly improve output quality for targeted scenarios:

/bug-investigation symptom="order creation endpoint occasionally returns 500"
/review base_ref=main
/repo-onboarding

Switch modes for complex tasks

When a task needs phased execution, switch to Plan mode:

/plan
Split the HTTP handler layer into a dedicated controller package. Show me the plan in stages.

Session Command Reference

Command	Description
/help	Show all available commands
/session	Open session picker to view/resume/delete sessions
/new	Start a new session
/plan	Switch to Plan mode
/build	Switch back to Build mode
/model [provider/model]	Switch model or open the interactive picker
/models	Show current model and all discovered models
/agents [name]	List subagents or show one definition
/explorer	Show the builtin explorer subagent
/review	Show the builtin review subagent
/commit <message>	Stage all current changes and create a local Git commit
/undo-commit	Undo the last local commit created by /commit in this session
/quit	Exit safely

For /commit, choose the command from the slash palette or type it directly, then provide the commit message yourself:

/commit fix(/commit): improve commit feedback

ByteMind stages the current workspace changes with git add -A before committing, then reports the commit hash, message, and file count.

Use /undo-commit only for the previous commit created by /commit in the same session. It is blocked when that commit has already reached the upstream branch, when you are in a different session, or when newer working tree changes would be mixed into the undo.

Interrupting and Resuming

Press Ctrl+C or type /quit at any time — the session context is automatically saved.

To resume later: start bytemind, enter /session, select the previous session in the picker, and press Enter.

See Also

• Session Management
• Tools and Approval
• Plan Mode
• Subagents
• Skills