---
title: "Ask and chat"
description: "Talk to agent-qa: ask for one thing with agent-qa ask, or hold a conversation with agent-qa chat to write and run tests, read runs and manage knowledge."
canonical_url: "https://vostride.com/docs/agent-qa/guides/chat"
md_url: "https://vostride.com/docs/agent-qa/guides/chat.md"
last_updated: "2026-10-24T01:12:08+05:30"
---

> [Documentation index](https://vostride.com/docs.md) · [Site index](https://vostride.com/llms.txt)
> Follow the Markdown links to read individual pages; the indexes list the available documentation.

# Ask and chat

> Talk to agent-qa: ask for one thing with agent-qa ask, or hold a conversation with agent-qa chat to write and run tests, read runs and manage knowledge.

agent-qa takes requests in plain words. `agent-qa ask` handles one request and exits. `agent-qa chat` keeps a conversation going. Both reach the same functions as the CLI and the MCP tools, so anything they do shows up in your runs and files like any other change.

## Ask
```bash
npx agent-qa ask "run tests/examples/komazon-checkout.yaml"
npx agent-qa ask status
npx agent-qa ask 'write a test that adds two mugs to the bag and checks the total is $53.00'
```

`ask` prints the session and turn it used, a receipt for each thing it did, and an answer. It exits 1 when nothing could run or a part of the request failed. Add `--session <id>` to continue a conversation.

## Chat
```bash
npx agent-qa chat
```

Chat opens a conversation and suggests a few things to try. Type requests in plain words, or use the shortcuts:

| Input | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| `run <test>` | Runs a test. |
| `status` | Lists recent runs. |
| `test <n>` | Shows a test. |
| `digest <runId>` | Shows a run's digest. |
| `/fn <function> [json]` | Calls any function directly, such as `/fn runs.list`. |
| `/model <name>` | Switches to another model entry from `registry.llms` for this conversation. |
| `/help` | Lists what chat can do. |
| `/quit` | Ends the conversation. |

## Sessions
Each conversation is saved under `.agent-qa/sessions/`.

```bash
npx agent-qa chat --list
npx agent-qa chat --continue
npx agent-qa chat --session <id>
```

`--continue` reopens the most recent conversation, and `--session` reopens a named one.

## What it can do
- Write and edit tests, with the same checks as `agent_qa_write_test`.
- Run tests and read runs, digests and evidence.
- Mark verdicts.
- Accept, reject or forget knowledge records, and manage [quarantine](https://vostride.com/docs/agent-qa/self-improvement/quarantine.md).
- Add targets and hooks, and change config fields.
- Answer questions about what agent-qa can do.

`npx agent-qa fn --list` shows every function behind it.

## Things to know
- **Requests apply immediately.** There is no confirmation step, so a request to change config or forget a record does it at once. Review the result with `git diff`.
- **It uses your model.** Free-form requests go through `use.llm`. Without a working model, only the shortcuts above work.
- **One request can do several things.** Each gets its own receipt, so you can see exactly what ran.

## Documentation navigation

- [All documentation](https://vostride.com/docs.md)
- Parent: [What is agent-qa](https://vostride.com/docs/agent-qa.md)
- Previous: [Run in CI](https://vostride.com/docs/agent-qa/guides/ci.md)
- Next: [CLI](https://vostride.com/docs/agent-qa/cli.md)