/tools

CLI reference.

Most users only ever type nilux — that starts an interactive session where you talk to the agent. The rest of this page covers everything else the CLI can do.

Commands

The CLI has two top-level commands:

bash# Start an interactive session in the current directory
$nilux
# Manage MCP server connections
$nilux mcp add|remove|list|get
# Version and help
$nilux --version
$nilux --help

That's it. There are no subcommands for auth, config, memory, or agents — those are all handled inside the interactive session through slash commands.

nilux mcp

Manage MCP servers without starting a session:

bash# Add a stdio server
$nilux mcp add -s project my-server -- npx -y @org/mcp-server
# Add an HTTP/SSE server
$nilux mcp add -t sse -s user my-api http://localhost:8080/mcp
# Add with env vars and headers
$nilux mcp add -t http -e API_KEY=xxx -H "Authorization: Bearer ..." my-server https://example.com/mcp
# List all configured servers
$nilux mcp list
# Show server details as JSON
$nilux mcp get my-server
# Remove a server
$nilux mcp remove -s project my-server

Flags for nilux mcp add:

-s, --scope <scope> — where to save: user (default), project, or local
-t, --transport <type> — stdio (default), sse, or http
-e, --env <KEY=value> — pass environment variables to the server process
-H, --header <header> — HTTP headers for network transports

Slash commands

Inside an interactive session, type / followed by a command name. These control the session without leaving it.

Session

/help — show all available commands
/clear — reset conversation history and start fresh
/compact — summarize the conversation to free up context. Optionally pass instructions: /compact focus on the auth module
/resume — pick up a previous session from history
/rewind — roll back file changes to an earlier checkpoint
/logout — sign out and clear auth tokens

Configuration

/model — switch between Standard and Pro
/config — toggle language, thinking mode, memory
/agents — assign specific models to custom agents
/workflow config — configure models for workflow roles

Tools

/mcp — manage MCP server connections
/skills — list available skills
/paste — paste image or text from clipboard
/init — generate a nilux.md for the current project
/balance — check credit balance and context usage
/sync memory — sync vector memory with cloud

Custom skills

Any skill with user-invocable: true in its frontmatter becomes a slash command. Type /skill-name to invoke it. For example, a skill at ~/.nilux/skills/commit/SKILL.md becomes /commit.

Keyboard shortcuts

These work during an interactive session:

Esc — cancel the current operation (streaming, approval, or tool execution)
Ctrl+C — press twice within 2 seconds to exit the application
Ctrl+B — move the current workflow or long-running bash command to background
Ctrl+O — toggle tool output view
Alt+V — paste image from clipboard
↑ / ↓ — scroll through message history or navigate the bottom bar
← / → — cycle between background workflows, shells, and agents in the bottom bar

Approval flow

When Nilux wants to execute a tool (edit a file, run a command), it shows a numbered menu:

bashEdit src/auth/login.ts? Proceed?
  1. Yes
  2. Yes, and don't ask again for this file
  3. No, let me provide different instructions
  4. Send feedback
Esc to cancel

Option 2 creates a persistent allow-rule in .nilux/settings.json so you won't be asked again for similar operations. Option 2 is hidden for dangerous commands.

Environment variables

NILUX_SERVER_URL — override the API server. Default: https://api.nilux.dev
NILUX_GIT_BASH_PATH — custom Git Bash path (Windows only)

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