@pi-unipi/btw

A pi extension for parallel side conversations with /unipi:btw — part of the Unipi suite

Packages

Package details

extensionskill

Install @pi-unipi/btw from npm and Pi will load the resources declared by the package manifest.

npm repohome report
$ pi install npm:@pi-unipi/btw
Package
@pi-unipi/btw
Version
2.20.5
Published
Sep 19, 2026
Downloads
3,867/mo · 1,371/wk
Author
neuron-mr-white
License
MIT
Types
extension, skill
Size
69.2 KB
Dependencies
1 dependency · 3 peers
Pi manifest JSON
{
  "skills": [
    "./skills"
  ],
  "themes": [],
  "prompts": [],
  "extensions": [
    "./extensions/btw.ts"
  ]
}

Security note

Pi packages can execute code and influence agent behavior. Review the source before installing third-party packages.

README

@pi-unipi/btw

Side conversations that run in parallel. Ask a question using /unipi:btw while the main agent keeps working — the answer streams into a modal overlay without interrupting the current task.

BTW opens a real Pi sub-session with read-only file and search access. Use it to clarify something, explore an idea, or think through next steps without derailing the main turn. It cannot run commands or modify files; when you're ready, inject the thread back or summarize it.

Based on pi-btw by Dan Bachelder.

Commands

Command Description
/unipi:btw [--save] <question> Ask a question in a side thread
/unipi:btw-new [question] Start a fresh thread with main-session context
/unipi:btw-tangent [--save] <question> Contextless tangent thread
/unipi:btw-clear Dismiss modal and clear thread
/unipi:btw-inject [instructions] Send full thread to main agent
/unipi:btw-summarize [instructions] Summarize thread and inject into main agent

Keyboard Shortcuts

Key Action
Alt+/ Toggle focus between BTW and main editor
Ctrl+Alt+W Fallback focus toggle
Esc Dismiss BTW overlay
PgUp/PgDn Scroll transcript

Examples

/unipi:btw what file defines this route?
/unipi:btw how would you refactor this parser?
/unipi:btw --save summarize the last error in one sentence
/unipi:btw-new let's start a fresh thread about auth
/unipi:btw-tangent brainstorm from first principles without using the current chat context
/unipi:btw-inject implement the plan we just discussed
/unipi:btw-summarize turn that side thread into a short handoff

Special Triggers

BTW is a standalone package. It doesn't register with other packages or trigger coexists behavior.

The BTW overlay opens top-centered so the main session remains visible underneath. The modal uses Pi's TUI system for consistent styling.

How It Works

  1. /unipi:btw creates or reuses a BTW sub-session
  2. Your question runs in a real Pi session with read/search tool access (read, grep, find, ls)
  3. The read-only answer streams into the BTW modal overlay
  4. The thread continues until you clear it or inject it back

/unipi:btw-inject sends the full thread to the main agent as a user message. If Pi is busy, it queues as a follow-up. /unipi:btw-summarize does the same but summarizes first.

/unipi:btw-tangent starts a separate thread that doesn't inherit the main session's conversation context. Use it for unrelated exploration.

The --save flag saves that single exchange as a visible session note.

Configurables

BTW has no configuration. Thread state is session-scoped and clears when you dismiss it.

License

MIT