Chat Guide Contents
Where Chat Lives in Antigravity IDE
Antigravity does not treat chat as a separate support widget. The chat experience is part of the agent workflow: it can sit beside the editor, connect to the current project, and continue as a conversation that remembers the task context you gave it.
That matters because users often search for the chat button when what they really need is the agent side panel, the conversation list, or a new agent thread. If you open the wrong surface, the model may not see the file, terminal state, or workspace you expected.
Use the table below to choose the right entry point before troubleshooting shortcuts or reinstalling the IDE.
| Surface | How to open it | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| Agent side panel | Use the side panel icon or chat shortcut while the editor is active. | You want to ask about the current file, request edits, or supervise an agent task. |
| Conversations | Open the conversation list and choose an existing thread or create a new one. | You want to continue earlier work without losing context. |
| Projects | Start from the project view when you need a clean agent task tied to a workspace. | You are starting a larger task such as refactoring, debugging, or setup. |
| Command palette | Search for the agent or chat command if the panel icon is hidden. | The layout changed, the sidebar is collapsed, or the shortcut is intercepted. |
How to Open Chat in Antigravity IDE Step by Step
Open the Workspace You Want the Agent to See
Launch Antigravity and open the project or folder you want to discuss. The chat is more useful when the correct workspace is already loaded because the agent can reason about files, terminal commands, and project structure instead of answering as a generic assistant.
Open the Agent Side Panel or Conversation
Click the agent or chat panel in the sidebar. If you prefer the keyboard, focus the editor and try Ctrl+L on Windows or Linux, or Cmd+L on macOS. If a previous task opens, use the conversation controls to start a new thread before changing topics.
Choose the Mode and Send a Focused Prompt
Pick the mode that matches the task, then write a short prompt that names the file, goal, and expected output. For example, ask the agent to explain one function, propose a patch, or run a local check. Keep sensitive credentials out of chat and paste only the context the agent needs.
Keyboard Shortcuts and Panel Controls
Shortcut behavior can vary by operating system, keyboard layout, and whether another app extension captures the same key. Treat shortcuts as the fastest path, but keep the side panel and command palette as reliable fallbacks.
If Ctrl+L or Cmd+L moves focus somewhere unexpected, click inside the editor first, close browser-like focus traps, and try again. Teams that remap IDE shortcuts should document the local chat shortcut next to their onboarding instructions.
| Action | Windows/Linux | macOS | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open chat or agent input | Ctrl+L | Cmd+L | Works best when the editor is focused. |
| Start a new conversation | Conversation menu | Conversation menu | Use this before switching to a new task. |
| Find chat command | Command palette | Command palette | Useful when the sidebar is hidden. |
| Return to editor | Esc or click editor | Esc or click editor | Use after sending a prompt if focus stays in chat. |
Ask About the Current Code
Use the agent side panel when the question depends on open files, a selected function, or a nearby error. Mention the exact file and expected result so the agent does not waste the first turn guessing. This is the best surface for code explanation, targeted edits, and quick debugging.
Start a Fresh Conversation for New Work
Use a new conversation when you move from one task to another. Mixing unrelated install issues, refactors, and model questions in the same thread makes the agent reuse stale assumptions. A clean thread is especially helpful before asking for a plan or a multi-file change.
Keep Workspace Context Safe and Specific
Chat can reference project context, so avoid pasting secrets, tokens, or private customer data. Share the smallest useful snippet, name the target file, and ask for a reversible change when you are unsure. This keeps the agent useful without turning the conversation into an uncontrolled dump of workspace data.
What to Do If Antigravity Chat Does Not Open
When chat does not open, separate UI focus problems from account, version, and workspace problems. Most failures do not require reinstalling the IDE.
The shortcut does nothing
Click inside the editor, then retry the shortcut. If another application or browser-style focus field captures the key, use the sidebar icon or command palette instead. Check whether your team has remapped shortcuts.
The panel opens but cannot send messages
Confirm that you are signed in, connected to the internet, and using a current Antigravity build. If the model route is temporarily unavailable, try a small prompt in a clean workspace before changing settings.
The chat opens in the wrong conversation
Use the conversation list to create a new thread. Do this whenever the old thread was about a different repository, install issue, or debugging session.
The agent cannot see the file you mean
Open the target file or project first, then mention the exact path in your prompt. If the project was opened from a different folder, close it and reopen the intended workspace.
Prompt Examples for the First Chat Turn
The first message should make the task concrete. A good opening prompt tells the agent what file or workflow matters, what kind of answer you want, and whether it may edit files or only explain.
- Explain code - Explain what app.py does around the route registration and point out any risky assumptions.
- Focused edit - Update the Linux install section copy, keep the existing structure, and show the files changed.
- Debugging - The agent command fails after running npm. Inspect the error path and suggest the smallest verification steps.
- Planning only - Do not edit files yet. Give me a short plan for adding a new troubleshooting section.
Keep the first turn narrow
If you need a large change, ask for a plan first, then let the agent work in smaller steps. This makes review easier and reduces the chance that chat context drifts away from your goal.
Official and Related Links
Use these links to verify the current Antigravity product behavior and move to nearby setup pages on this site.
- Google Antigravity documentation - official documentation for product concepts, projects, conversations, and agent workflows
- Google Cloud Antigravity article - Google Cloud overview that describes the agent-first development model
- Download Antigravity for Windows - install or update the Windows build before testing chat
- Antigravity not working guide - fix sign-in, model, terminal, and agent errors
- How to update Antigravity - move to the latest stable version if chat or agent features fail