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area:context-memoryContext window, memory, compaction, checkpoints, and instruction loadingContext window, memory, compaction, checkpoints, and instruction loading
Description
Describe the feature or problem you'd like to solve
The /ask command isolates a question from the main conversation, but it only supports one turn. When Copilot asks for clarification, the user cannot answer within the same /ask context.
Proposed solution
Keep /ask isolated from the main conversation while allowing multiple turns inside the same /ask view.
- Keep the input available after each response.
- Include previous
/askmessages when processing follow-up questions. - Preserve this local context until the user closes the
/askview. - Let
Escclose the side conversation and return to the main session. - Do not add the side conversation to the main session unless the user explicitly chooses to do so.
This preserves the purpose of /ask, which is avoiding changes to the primary conversation, while allowing users to clarify questions and reach a useful answer.
Example prompts or workflows
- Run
/ask Why does this API require a cancellation token?. Copilot asks which runtime or API version is being used. Answer inside the same/askview, then receive a response that uses both messages. - Run
/ask Compare these two implementation approaches. Copilot asks which constraint matters most. Supply the constraint without adding either message to the main session. - Run
/ask Explain this error. Copilot asks for a missing command or version. Provide it, receive the explanation, then pressEscto return to the unchanged main session.
Additional context
This replaces #4538 and #4577, which were submitted without the Feature Request form.
Related requests:
- /ask mode #92 requests a broader conversation mode that does not perform agent actions.
- /ask responses should not prompt for follow-up interaction #2885 documents the current dead end when
/askproduces a response that requires follow-up interaction.
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area:context-memoryContext window, memory, compaction, checkpoints, and instruction loadingContext window, memory, compaction, checkpoints, and instruction loading
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