Copilot Chat Interface

Once you've signed in, this is a reference for the chat input bar itself — the controls, slash commands, and modes you'll use every time you talk to Copilot.

Chat controls

The chat input bar is where you type prompts and control how Copilot responds. It groups the following controls:

#	Control	Description
1	Commands	Task-specific entry points shipped with Copilot: /typecreator, /ask, /openapi, /doc. Accessible by typing / in the chat or selecting the / icon.
2	Built-in skills	Domain playbooks Copilot applies while it writes code: data mapping, AI agents, workflows. Invoke them explicitly or let Copilot pick.
3	Edit / Plan mode	Edit applies changes to your project directly. Plan returns a proposed approach first, with no code written until you accept.
4	Web access	Toggles whether Copilot may search the web for current documentation and references while answering.
5	Slash palette	Selecting it opens the command and skill list, the same list you get by typing / in the message field.
6	Attach context	Adds files, specs, or images to the request so Copilot works from your material rather than assumptions.
7	Send	Submits the prompt with the mode, web setting, and attachments currently selected.

Slash commands

Type / in the Copilot input bar to invoke a command for a specific task. You can also invoke an enabled skill directly: type / and select the skill from the list, for example /data-map.

Command	Description
/ask	Ask questions about Ballerina to be answered based on the documentation.
/doc	Generate documentation for your integration.
/openapi	Import OpenAPI specifications.
/typecreator	Create custom types.
/data-map	Generate data mappings.
/natural-programming	Experimental. Generate code from requirements and check for drift.

note

/ask answers only from the Ballerina documentation and does not use your codebase context. For questions about your code or any other topic, message Copilot directly without a command. /data-map is powered by the built-in data-map skill rather than a command.

Modes

Copilot has two modes: plan and edit. Switch between them using the toggle in the Copilot input bar.

• Edit Mode: Copilot starts generating immediately and applies the changes to your integration. Best for quick edits.

• Plan Mode: Copilot first proposes a high-level plan with a step-by-step task breakdown. Review or revise the plan, then approve it to begin generation.

  

What's next

• Built-in Capabilities — Explore planning, review, testing, and more.
• Customize Copilot — Give Copilot project instructions, reusable skills, and your own tools through MCP servers.