---
title: "Zed Features - Autohand Code"
source: https://docs.autohand.ai/working-with-autohand-code/code/zed/features
---

# Features

A complete guide to Autohand Code features in Zed. Leverage Zed's native Agent Client Protocol for the fastest AI coding experience available.

## Agent Client Protocol

Zed implements the Agent Client Protocol (ACP) natively, providing a standardized interface for AI assistants. This means Autohand integrates at the deepest level possible.

### Benefits of native ACP

-   **Low latency** - Direct communication without middleware
-   **Streaming responses** - See AI output as it's generated
-   **Rich context** - Full access to editor state and buffers
-   **Efficient memory** - Shared data structures with the editor

### Protocol features

-   Real-time file watching and change detection
-   Structured tool calls for code modifications
-   Progress reporting for long operations
-   Cancellation support for in-flight requests

## Assistant panel

The assistant panel is your conversation interface with Autohand, designed to integrate smoothly with Zed's workflow.

### Panel positions

Configure the panel position in your settings:

-   **Right** - Default position, alongside your code
-   **Left** - Alternative side panel position
-   **Bottom** - Horizontal layout below your code

### Conversation features

-   Multi-turn conversations with context retention
-   Code blocks with syntax highlighting
-   Inline diff previews for proposed changes
-   One-click apply for code modifications

### Context indicators

The panel shows what Autohand knows about:

-   Current file and selection
-   Referenced files via @mentions
-   Project structure from AGENTS.md
-   Recent conversation history

## Inline assist

Get AI help directly in your code without leaving your current position.

### Triggering inline assist

-   **Cmd+Enter** (Mac) / **Ctrl+Enter** (Linux) - Open inline prompt
-   Type your request and press Enter
-   Autohand shows changes inline in your code

### Use cases

``` text
// Select a function, press Cmd+Enter, then type:
Add error handling for network failures

// Select a block of code:
Convert to async/await syntax

// At the end of a file:
Add unit tests for the above functions
```

### Accepting changes

| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Accept all changes | Tab or Enter |
| Reject changes | Escape |
| Accept partial (by hunk) | Cmd+Enter on hunk |

## Inline completions

Autohand provides intelligent code completions as you type, trained on your project patterns.

### How completions work

As you type, Autohand considers:

-   Current file content and cursor position
-   Language semantics and syntax
-   Project conventions from AGENTS.md
-   Common patterns in your codebase

### Completion shortcuts

| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Accept full completion | Tab |
| Accept word | Cmd+Right |
| Dismiss completion | Escape |
| Cycle completions | Alt+] / Alt+[ |

### Configuration

``` json
{
  "assistant": {
    "inline_completions": true,
    "completion_delay_ms": 200
  }
}
```

## Multi-buffer editing

Edit multiple files simultaneously with Autohand's multi-buffer support, a natural fit for Zed's architecture.

### How it works

1.  Describe a change that spans multiple files
2.  Autohand identifies all affected files
3.  Changes are shown in a multi-buffer view
4.  Accept changes per-file or all at once

### Example requests

``` text
Rename the ApiClient class to HttpClient across all files

Add logging to all database query functions

Update the error handling pattern in all API endpoints
```

### Multi-buffer view

Zed's multi-buffer view shows all changes in context:

-   File headers indicate which file you're viewing
-   Scroll through all changes in one view
-   Jump to specific files using the outline
-   Apply or reject changes per section

## Git integration

Autohand works with Zed's built-in git support for seamless version control workflows.

### Commit generation

Ask Autohand to create commits:

``` text
Commit these changes with a descriptive message following conventional commits
```

### Change review

Have Autohand review your changes before committing:

``` text
Review my staged changes and suggest improvements
```

### Git commands

-   `/commit` - Generate commit message and commit
-   Request branch operations in natural language
-   Ask for help resolving merge conflicts

## Slash commands

Quick commands for common operations in the assistant panel.

### Available commands

| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| /new | Start a new conversation |
| /sessions | List recent sessions |
| /resume | Resume previous session |
| /init | Generate AGENTS.md |
| /commit | Create git commit |
| /model | Change AI model |
| /automode | Toggle autonomous mode |

See the [Slash Commands Reference](/docs/working-with-autohand-code/slash-commands.html) for the complete list.

## Auto mode

Enable autonomous operation for complex, multi-step tasks.

### Enable auto mode

-   Use `/automode` in the assistant panel
-   Or configure in settings

### How it works

1.  Describe your goal
2.  Autohand creates an execution plan
3.  Executes steps autonomously
4.  Verifies and iterates as needed
5.  Reports completion

### Safety features

-   Iteration limits prevent runaway operations
-   Permission prompts for destructive actions
-   Checkpoints allow reverting changes
-   Progress visible in assistant panel

**Tip:** Auto mode works best with clear, well-defined tasks. For exploratory work, use interactive mode to guide the process.

## Skills

Extend Autohand with specialized capabilities.

### Built-in skills

-   **Frontend** - React, Vue, Svelte patterns
-   **Backend** - API design, database queries
-   **Systems** - Rust, Go, C++ best practices
-   **DevOps** - CI/CD, infrastructure as code
-   **Testing** - Unit and integration tests

### Using skills

Skills activate automatically based on context, or request them explicitly:

``` text
Using the systems skill, optimize this memory allocation
```

### Custom skills

Define project-specific skills in your AGENTS.md. See the [Skills documentation](/docs/working-with-autohand-code/skills.html).

## Settings reference

Complete Zed settings for Autohand Code.

``` json
{
  "assistant": {
    "enabled": true,
    "provider": {
      "name": "autohand",
      "model": "z-ai/glm-4.7",
      "api_key": null
    },
    "inline_completions": true,
    "completion_delay_ms": 200,
    "dock": "right",
    "default_width": 400
  }
}
```

| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| provider.model | AI model | z-ai/glm-4.7 |
| inline_completions | Enable completions | true |
| completion_delay_ms | Completion delay | 200 |
| dock | Panel position | right |
| default_width | Panel width (px) | 400 |

## Troubleshooting

### Assistant not responding

-   Check your authentication status
-   Verify network connectivity
-   Check Zed logs: Help > Toggle Developer Tools
-   Try restarting Zed

### Slow completions

-   Increase `completion_delay_ms` to reduce requests
-   Check your network connection
-   Large files may take longer to process

### Getting help

-   Use `/feedback` to report issues
-   Check [GitHub issues](https://github.com/autohandai/autohand-code/issues)
-   Join our [Discord community](https://discord.gg/ZM3TCtwCwG)