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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 /ask messages when processing follow-up questions.
Preserve this local context until the user closes the /ask view.
Let Esc close 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 /ask view, 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 press Esc to 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.
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
/askisolated from the main conversation while allowing multiple turns inside the same/askview./askmessages when processing follow-up questions./askview.Escclose the side conversation and return to the main session.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
/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./ask Compare these two implementation approaches. Copilot asks which constraint matters most. Supply the constraint without adding either message to the main session./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:
/askproduces a response that requires follow-up interaction.