Support /btw command in VS Code extension

Open 💬 29 comments Opened Mar 22, 2026 by ojhurst

Feature Request

The /btw command works in the terminal CLI but is not available in the VS Code extension. It would be great to have parity so /btw works in the extension the same way it does in the terminal.

Use case

/btw is useful for quick side questions that don't need to persist in the main conversation history. This is just as valuable when working in VS Code as it is in the terminal — maybe more so, since VS Code sessions tend to be longer and more context-heavy.

Expected behavior

Typing /btw in the VS Code extension input should spawn the same ephemeral agent as in the terminal, allowing a quick side query without affecting the main conversation.

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29 Comments

jeff-chen-overview · 3 months ago

Definitly need this!

mischacoster · 3 months ago

Me too!

Aetherdan · 3 months ago

Me three!

Btw its mentioned here already: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/36564

maarteek · 3 months ago

Absolutely need this.

elsheraey · 3 months ago

Do we really need this? I feel like passing a message while in a loop already does the BTW function?

epiqu1n · 3 months ago
Do we really need this? I feel like passing a message while in a loop already does the BTW function?

I've yet to use /btw, but it's not just for questions mid-task, it's also for asking side questions that you don't want/need to pollute the context with. For example, asking why it decided to something one way instead of another, or if you want to quickly explore an alternative solution without having that muddy the context if you decide not to go that route.

I would definitely appreciate having this feature in the VSCode extension!

gmegh · 3 months ago
I feel like passing a message while in a loop already does the BTW function?

I would say it clearly does not. \Btw is answered while other tasks are happening in the background.

This feature would be greatly appreciated!

pander21 · 2 months ago

Definitely needed!

HayThurJack · 2 months ago

plsssss

sebastianfreitag · 2 months ago

Yes, this would be extremely helpful!

silenceroom · 2 months ago

this would be very helpful to maintian a consistent / unified user experience.

CVK42 · 1 month ago

That would be nice feaute to keep using VScode Extension, otherwise I might jump on the terminal instead !!

terryds · 1 month ago

We need this!

seichisato-ai · 1 month ago

+1 from a daily VS Code extension user.

What makes /btw unique — and not replaceable by existing extension features — is that it combines three properties simultaneously:

  1. Runs alongside the main task without blocking it
  2. Inherits the main session's context (so I can ask "what file was that?" or "why approach A over B?")
  3. Doesn't pollute the main conversation history

"Open in New Tab / Window" gives (1) but loses (2). Interrupting the main session gives (2) but loses (3). Only /btw covers all three.

The practical impact today: to get /btw I have to drop into the integrated terminal and run claude --resume, which defeats the point of using the graphical extension. This is the single biggest CLI/extension parity gap in my daily workflow.

Maverick-Ace · 1 month ago

plzzzzzz

alexkayal · 1 month ago

Please, I cannot stress how useful this would be. I am a person full of side questions and many many developers are just the same.

4everWZ · 1 month ago

plzzzzz
we really need this in vscode extension.

DoDoRex-HoKa · 1 month ago

+1 for this feature! Would be incredibly useful to have /btw in the VS Code extension.

NeekNegoer · 1 month ago

Really would love if they included this!
+1

dominik-molitor · 1 month ago

It would be great if it could be added for sure!

gursuj · 1 month ago

Just react to the original comment to signify you want this feature. Adding a comment isn't going to speed this up, but rather annoy others who are subscribed to the issue to find out when it lands.

Para-Lethadox · 1 month ago

I'm also very interested :)

shurkanTwo · 1 month ago

I am also interested in this.
Even better would a proper queuing support like in the Codex VS Code extension

pierre-pizzetta · 1 month ago

I also need this in my project, i like the UI of the VS Code extension more and don't want to have to use claude cli only for that ...

crocowill · 1 month ago

/btw
need too gooby pls

xrkolovos · 1 month ago

yes plz

ussrseth · 1 month ago

lolz dario selling agi when he cant add a single feature lol

wensedong · 26 days ago

yes,i need it

cscgg · 16 days ago

Why is this not a thing yet? Cmon