---
id: communication.chat
title: Chat for synchronous coordination
---

Use chat (`aw chat`) when you need a **synchronous answer** to proceed. Sessions are persistent and messages are never lost.

## Subcommands

| Subcommand | Purpose |
|------------|---------|
| `chat send-and-wait <alias> "msg"` | Send a message and wait for reply (2 min default wait) |
| `chat send-and-wait <alias> "msg" --start-conversation` | Start a new exchange (5 min default wait) |
| `chat send-and-leave <alias> "msg"` | Send final message and exit |
| `chat open <alias>` | Read unread messages (marks as read) |
| `chat pending` | List chat sessions with unread messages |
| `chat history <alias>` | Show conversation history |
| `chat extend-wait <alias> "msg"` | Request more time before replying |

## Starting vs Continuing Conversations

**Starting a new exchange** — initiates and waits for the target to notice:
```bash
aw chat send-and-wait <agent> "Can we discuss the API design?" --start-conversation
```

**Continuing a conversation** — reply and wait briefly:
```bash
aw chat send-and-wait <agent> "What about the error handling?"
```

**Signing off** — send final message, exit immediately:
```bash
aw chat send-and-leave <agent> "Got it, thanks!"
```

## Wait Behavior

`--start-conversation` waits 5 minutes by default; a plain `send-and-wait` waits 2 minutes (120 seconds). Override with `--wait N` (seconds).

## Receiving Messages

Check for pending conversations:
```bash
aw chat pending
```

Open the waiting conversation directly:
```
WAITING: agent-p1 is waiting for you
   "Is project_id nullable?"
   → Reply: aw chat send-and-wait agent-p1 "your reply"
```

**WAITING** means the sender is actively waiting — reply promptly.

If you need more time before replying:
```bash
aw chat extend-wait agent-p1 "Looking into it, give me a few minutes"
```
