Inline shell

Run a local shell command from the interactive TUI without leaving your Rho session. Inline shell commands use the current workspace as their working directory and display their output in the transcript.

Run a command

Type a command with ! at the start of the composer, then press enter:

!git status --short

Rho runs the command locally and adds the command, its output, and its exit status to the next model context. Use this mode when you want the model to inspect or act on the result.

Use !! when you want to see the result without sending it to the model:

!!git diff --stat

Rho still displays the command and output in the transcript, but it excludes them from model context. Typing ! or !! at an empty composer enters shell mode as explicit state: the composer stores only the command body, and the top border shows the mode label:

• !: top border labeled shell · included in context
• !!: top border labeled shell · excluded from context

Press esc to leave shell mode and return to the normal composer. The command text stays in the composer.

Rho runs inline commands asynchronously, so you can continue working while a command runs. Press esc to cancel a running command. Rho stops commands that run longer than 60 seconds.

Choose a shell

Rho uses Bash on macOS and Linux, and PowerShell on Windows by default. Open /config in the TUI and select Inline shell to choose another detected shell.

Rho checks these shells when it builds the picker:

• macOS and Linux: bash, zsh, fish, and sh
• Windows: powershell, pwsh, and cmd

The picker lists shells that Rho finds on your PATH. It also keeps the configured value available when you use a custom executable path. Rho starts each command in the workspace directory with standard input closed.

Security

Inline shell commands run with your user permissions. Rho doesn't sandbox them or ask for approval before execution, so review commands before you submit them. Run Rho only in workspaces where you trust the commands you enter.

For commands that the model chooses to run as tools, see Tools and workspace. For the TUI's other input and command controls, see Interactive TUI.