# @pi-unipi/btw

Side conversations that run in parallel. Ask a question using `/unipi:btw` while the main agent keeps working — the answer streams into a modal overlay without interrupting the current task.

BTW opens a real Pi sub-session with read-only file and search access. Use it to clarify something, explore an idea, or think through next steps without derailing the main turn. It cannot run commands or modify files; when you're ready, inject the thread back or summarize it.

Based on [pi-btw](https://github.com/Neuron-Mr-White/pi-btw) by Dan Bachelder.

## Commands

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `/unipi:btw [--save] <question>` | Ask a question in a side thread |
| `/unipi:btw-new [question]` | Start a fresh thread with main-session context |
| `/unipi:btw-tangent [--save] <question>` | Contextless tangent thread |
| `/unipi:btw-clear` | Dismiss modal and clear thread |
| `/unipi:btw-inject [instructions]` | Send full thread to main agent |
| `/unipi:btw-summarize [instructions]` | Summarize thread and inject into main agent |

### Keyboard Shortcuts

| Key | Action |
|-----|--------|
| `Alt+/` | Toggle focus between BTW and main editor |
| `Ctrl+Alt+W` | Fallback focus toggle |
| `Esc` | Dismiss BTW overlay |
| `PgUp`/`PgDn` | Scroll transcript |

### Examples

```text
/unipi:btw what file defines this route?
/unipi:btw how would you refactor this parser?
/unipi:btw --save summarize the last error in one sentence
/unipi:btw-new let's start a fresh thread about auth
/unipi:btw-tangent brainstorm from first principles without using the current chat context
/unipi:btw-inject implement the plan we just discussed
/unipi:btw-summarize turn that side thread into a short handoff
```

## Special Triggers

BTW is a standalone package. It doesn't register with other packages or trigger coexists behavior.

The BTW overlay opens top-centered so the main session remains visible underneath. The modal uses Pi's TUI system for consistent styling.

## How It Works

1. `/unipi:btw` creates or reuses a BTW sub-session
2. Your question runs in a real Pi session with read/search tool access (`read`, `grep`, `find`, `ls`)
3. The read-only answer streams into the BTW modal overlay
4. The thread continues until you clear it or inject it back

`/unipi:btw-inject` sends the full thread to the main agent as a user message. If Pi is busy, it queues as a follow-up. `/unipi:btw-summarize` does the same but summarizes first.

`/unipi:btw-tangent` starts a separate thread that doesn't inherit the main session's conversation context. Use it for unrelated exploration.

The `--save` flag saves that single exchange as a visible session note.

## Configurables

BTW has no configuration. Thread state is session-scoped and clears when you dismiss it.

## License

MIT