Requirements
- Visual Studio Code 1.145 or later
- An 8os gateway and API key
- A trusted workspace, because 8bot can edit files and run commands
Install
Install 8bot from the VS Code Marketplace, or search for 8bot in the VS Code Extensions view.
You can also download the .vsix and use Install from VSIX in the Extensions view.
Connect your gateway and key
Open the 8bot tab in the Secondary Side Bar on the right, next to Chat. Press Cmd+Alt+8 (Ctrl+Alt+8 on Windows and Linux) to jump to it.
Did your provider already give you a gateway and API key? Enter them on the setup screen and select Connect. The default gateway is https://api.8os.com, and 8os keys start with sk-pax8-. 8bot checks the connection before saving, and your key goes into VS Code secret storage.
No gateway or key yet? Select Get a subscription from BUY IT, or go to buy-it.gr/8os.
To change them later, click the key icon at the bottom of the chat (green means the key works), or run 8bot: Enter Gateway and API Key from the Command Palette. You can save several keys with friendly names and hop between them from that icon or with 8bot: Switch API Key — handy for separate work and personal accounts or gateways.
First request
Open a folder, type a request such as Add tests for the date helpers and press Enter. By default, 8bot asks before each edit or command.
You can keep typing while 8bot works: messages wait in a queue below the transcript and run in order. Remove a queued message with its × button, or press Stop to cancel the current request and clear the queue.
Model picker and remembered options
Click the model card beside Send to open VS Code’s searchable model picker. Search by name, model ID or capabilities; each entry shows its context size, tool/reasoning support and the current selection. Use the arrow keys and Enter to choose, or Escape to cancel.
Your model and reasoning effort survive window reloads. Permission mode and the include editor selection checkbox are remembered for this workspace. Bypass still requires confirmation before its first use; once confirmed and selected, it is restored when you reopen that workspace, without enabling it in other projects. Choose Ask to turn it off again.
Attach files, images and screenshots
Drag a file or image onto the sidebar chat, paste a screenshot from the clipboard, or press the 📎 button to pick files. Text files are included as part of your message. Images are sent to the model only when the selected model can read images; otherwise 8bot tells you so instead of silently dropping it.
Slash commands in the sidebar
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
/new |
Start a new chat |
/compact |
Summarize the chat to free context |
/model <id> |
Switch model |
/mode <mode> |
Switch permission mode |
/credits |
Show spend and credits |
/cost |
Break down this chat’s cost per model |
/remember <note> |
Save a fact for future chats |
/forget <text> |
Remove saved notes |
/memory |
Open saved memory |
/help |
List commands |
Memory and long tasks
8bot remembers lasting facts about each project across chats. It can save them itself when you approve, or you can use /remember <note>, /forget <text> and /memory. Notes are stored privately on your computer, outside the repository. Your latest chat also comes back when you reopen VS Code.
Large models keep most of their context window available. When a conversation gets very long, 8bot summarizes the oldest part and keeps recent work in full.
Project instructions
Put project rules in AGENTS.md or 8BOT.md at the workspace root. 8bot includes them in every conversation.