Chat shortcuts and quick links
Use the chat composer to point Trace AI at a Documents file or load a skill_id without waiting for the model to guess. The same composer is on full-page Chat and Work with Assistant.
Document information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical URL | /docs/07_ai-agents-and-mcp/29_chat_composer_shortcuts |
| Version (published date) | 2026-09-21 |
| Tags | ai, trace-ai, chat, how-to |
If you do not see @ or / lists when you type in Chat, ask your operator whether composer shortcuts are enabled for this deployment.
Triggers
| Type | What it does |
|---|---|
@ | Cite an existing Documents file (path only; Trace can read_file) |
/ | Load a platform skill_id, tenant package, or composition for this turn |
# | Cite a process, WebApp, entity, or integration (id + label) |
+ | Attach a file from your computer (upload into this conversation) |
Mod+K | Command list: attach, cite, load skill, saved prompts, new conversation, help |
Where it works
Full-page Chat (/chat) and Work with Assistant use the same composer. Work with Assistant still sends the current console page as context even if you never type @.
Cite a file (@)
Type @ at the start of a word, then part of the file name or path. Choose a file and send. Trace receives the path, not the file contents.
Cite vs attach: Attach (+ or drop a file from your computer) uploads a copy into the conversation. Cite points at a file that already lives in Documents. You can cite up to 20 files per turn. Names starting with . are omitted unless Documents is set to show hidden items.
Dragging a Documents file onto the composer cites it. Dropping a file from your desktop still attaches (uploads).
Example: @onboarding.md Summarize the open questions.
Load a skill (/)
Type / at a word start and pick a platform skill_id, tenant package, or composition. That skill is loaded for this turn, so its tools are available immediately. Kernel/elementary is already loaded; selecting it does nothing.
You can load up to four skill_ids and one composition per turn.
Which tools a skill_id unlocks: Platform skills quick reference. Authoring tenant packages: Tenant skills user guide.
Examples:
/entities List active entities and their types./process-backed-webapp Draft a process-backed intake form.
Typing /documents/foo in the middle of a sentence does not open the skill list. Composer / is not app-wide search.
Keyboard
Arrow keys move in the list. Enter or Tab selects. Escape closes. Shift+Enter inserts a new line. Enter with the list open selects; it does not send.
Cite a workspace object (#)
Type # at a word start to search processes, WebApps, entities, and integrations. The turn includes the object id and label only — not a full dump of the record.
More quick links
- Include current page on full-page Chat: optional. Sends the same console context Work with Assistant already sends.
- Paste a Documents path or Documents URL: Chat can offer Cite this file.
- Compact: shorter assistant replies for that turn.
- Saved prompts: stored in this browser (max 20). Open
Mod+Kto insert one. - Retry last tool error: from
Mod+Kwhen the last assistant turn had a failed tool.
Limits and surprises
Citing does not paste file contents into the prompt. Unix-style paths mid-sentence do not open /. Hidden . files stay hidden unless Documents shows them.