Sixth Tools Reference Guide

Sixth works by calling tools: reading files, editing code, running commands, browsing, delegating to agents and more. Each tool use appears in the chat as a compact row you can expand to see the details: diffs, command output, search results, images. Depending on your auto-approve settings, a tool either runs straight away or shows an approval card with Run / Reject (press Enter to approve or Esc to reject).

Reading & exploring code

Tool	What it does
`read_file`	Reads a file. Extracts the text from PDF and DOCX files too.
`read_batch`	Reads several files at once (much faster than one by one). A line can also start with `list:` to list a folder or `defs:` to list the code definitions in it.
`read_file_in_chunks`	Reads a very large file in 500 KB chunks. Plain reads are capped at 5 MB, so larger files are read this way.
`list_files`	Lists a folder’s contents, top level or recursively.
`search_files`	Regex search across files, with surrounding context lines.
`list_code_definition_names`	Lists the classes, functions and methods defined in a folder’s source files.

Editing files

Tool	What it does
`write_to_file`	Creates a file or overwrites it with complete new content.
`append_to_file`	Adds content to the end of a file, used to write very large files in parts.
`replace_in_file`	Makes targeted edits with SEARCH/REPLACE blocks.
`delete_file`	Deletes a file, for example a temporary script.
`create_svg_or_dot_ico`	Creates or edits `.svg` and `.ico` files directly. The chat shows a live preview.

Every edit shows a diff in the chat. With checkpoints you can compare or roll back any step.

Terminal

Tool	What it does
`execute_command`	Runs a terminal command. Commands that start a server or watcher run as background shells.
`access_launched_terminal_task`	Checks a background shell: whether it’s running, its pid, exit code, uptime and latest output.
`wait_until`	Pauses for 1–300 seconds, for example while a build or server starts.

Web, images & browser

Tool	What it does
`web_search`	Searches the web for current information, docs or error solutions.
`web_fetch`	Fetches a web page and converts it to markdown.
`view_image`	Fetches an image from a URL so Sixth can look at it.
`generate_image`	Generates a custom image (logo, background, design asset) and saves it to your project. Also available as `/generate-image`.
`browser_action`	Drives a browser: launch a URL, click, type, scroll and take screenshots to test what it built. See Remote Browser Support.

Design

Tool	What it does
`launch_design_studio`	Opens Design Studio so you can pick a designer-made theme before Sixth builds a frontend. Also available as `/design-studio`.
`get_design_spec`	Loads the full build brief for a Design Studio design: tokens, fonts, layouts, voice, imagery and motion rules.

Agents & skills

Tool	What it does
`spawn_agents`	Runs 1–5 sub-agents in parallel on independent parts of a task, then gathers their results.
`launch_agent`	Hands a task to one of your background agents. It returns right away and the result arrives later.
`get_dedicated_agent_progress`	Checks the status, recent activity and result of background agent runs.
`stop_dedicated_agent`	Stops a background agent run. You can resume it later from the Agents dock.
`use_skill`	Loads a skill’s full instructions when it’s relevant or when you call it with `/skill-name`.

MCP

Tool	What it does
`use_mcp_tool`	Calls a tool on a connected MCP server.
`access_mcp_resource`	Reads a resource from a connected MCP server.
`load_mcp_documentation`	Loads instructions for building or installing an MCP server.

Conversation & task flow

Tool	What it does
`ask_followup_question`	Asks you a question, optionally with 2–5 answers you can pick (press 1–N to choose).
`plan_mode_respond`	Replies in Plan mode, used to discuss and agree on an approach before any changes.
`explore_mode_respond`	Replies in Explore mode, which is for deep investigation of a codebase.
`attempt_completion`	Presents the finished result. It can include a command to show it, such as opening the page Sixth built.
`new_task`	Starts a new task that carries a summary of the current one (`/newtask`).
`condense`	Summarises the conversation to free up context (`/smol`).
`report_bug`	Drafts a GitHub issue (`/reportbug`).

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Sixth Features

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More Info

Sixth Tools Reference Guide

Reading & exploring code

Editing files

Terminal

Web, images & browser

Design

Agents & skills

MCP

Conversation & task flow

​Reading & exploring code

​Editing files

​Terminal

​Web, images & browser

​Design

​Agents & skills

​MCP

​Conversation & task flow

Reading & exploring code

Editing files

Terminal

Web, images & browser

Design

Agents & skills

MCP

Conversation & task flow