> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/instructkr/claude-code/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Session management commands

> Reference for Claude Code commands that manage conversation sessions, context, cost, and tasks.

These commands help you manage the state of your current conversation and navigate between sessions.

## /resume

Restores a previous conversation session, picking up where you left off.

```bash theme={null}
> /resume
# Opens an interactive session picker listing recent conversations

> /resume abc123de-...
# Resumes a specific session by UUID directly

> /resume "fix auth bug"
# Resumes the session with a matching custom title (exact match)
```

When invoked without arguments, `/resume` displays a scrollable list of previous conversations for the current repository. You can toggle between showing only same-repo sessions and all projects with a keystroke.

Sessions are stored as log files on disk. Each session is identified by a UUID. The picker shows the session's first message, timestamp, and — when custom titles are enabled — a human-readable title.

**Resuming from a different directory**

If you select a session that originated in a different directory, Claude Code will not resume it directly. Instead it copies the correct `claude --resume <session-id>` command to your clipboard and displays it so you can run it from the right working directory.

<Note>
  Sessions from git worktrees within the same repository can be resumed directly regardless of the current working directory.
</Note>

**CLI flag for headless resume**

You can resume a session without entering the REPL interactively:

```bash theme={null}
claude --resume <session-id>
```

This is useful in scripts or automation where you want to continue a specific session programmatically.

***

## /compact

Compresses the current conversation history into a summary, freeing up context window space.

```bash theme={null}
> /compact
# Runs automatic summarization

> /compact focus on the database schema changes only
# Summarizes with custom instructions
```

Claude Code replaces the full message history with a condensed summary. After compaction, you can continue the conversation with the same context available but at a much lower token count.

<Note>
  Use `/compact` when you see a warning that you are approaching the context limit, or proactively on long-running sessions to reduce cost.
</Note>

When you pass custom instructions as an argument, those instructions guide what the summary focuses on. Without instructions, Claude Code uses its default summarization strategy.

After compaction completes, the REPL displays a confirmation message. Press `ctrl+o` to view the full summary.

***

## /share

Shares the current session. Feature availability depends on your account type.

```bash theme={null}
> /share
```

<Note>
  `/share` availability varies by account. The command may be hidden or disabled depending on your subscription and organization settings.
</Note>

***

## /clear

Clears the current conversation history and frees up context.

```bash theme={null}
> /clear
```

Aliases: `/reset`, `/new`

Unlike `/compact`, which replaces history with a summary, `/clear` removes all conversation history entirely. This is equivalent to starting a fresh session. Your files on disk are not affected.

***

## /exit

Exits the Claude Code REPL.

```bash theme={null}
> /exit
```

Aliases: `/quit`

***

## /context

Visualizes how much of the current context window is in use, rendered as a colored grid.

```bash theme={null}
> /context
```

Each cell in the grid represents a portion of the context window. The color indicates how full that segment is. This gives you a quick sense of how much room is left before you need to use `/compact` or `/clear`.

In non-interactive (headless) mode, `/context` outputs a plain text summary of context usage instead of the grid.

***

## /cost

Shows the total token usage and estimated cost for the current session.

```bash theme={null}
> /cost
# Session cost: $0.42 (1,234 input tokens, 567 output tokens) — 4m 12s
```

<Note>
  `/cost` is hidden for claude.ai subscribers, since they are billed through their subscription rather than per-token. The command is still visible for API key users.
</Note>

If you are a claude.ai subscriber currently using overage billing, `/cost` will indicate that rather than showing a dollar amount.

***

## /tasks

Lists and manages background tasks running in the current session.

```bash theme={null}
> /tasks
```

Aliases: `/bashes`

Background tasks are long-running shell commands or sub-agents that Claude Code spawned during the current session. `/tasks` opens a panel where you can view their status and output.