# Use side chat

> Open the Side chat tab in the right panel to ask questions without interrupting the running agent.

canonical: https://agentsky.dev/help/side-chat
source: https://agentsky.dev/help/side-chat.md
updated: 2026-10-21

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**Open the Side chat tab in the right panel to ask questions without interrupting the running agent.**

Side chat opens a separate panel beside the main chat. The agent reads the current workspace context — open files, recent changes — and answers. The main task continues uninterrupted.

1. In the right panel, click the Side chat tab.
   Or press ⌥⌘S (Mac).
   Or type `/side` in the composer.
2. Ask your question in the side panel.
3. The agent responds there, not in the main chat.

Where: Web: right panel › Side chat tab. Mac: right panel › Side chat tab or ⌥⌘S.

Good to know: side chat shares the same agent and workspace as the main chat. You can use it while the agent is actively working. Related: [View background tasks](https://agentsky.dev/help/background-tasks), [Start a new chat](https://agentsky.dev/help/start-a-chat).