---
url: https://pencel.ai/docs/reference/tips.md
description: >-
  Practical tips for getting more out of Pencel — slash quick actions, Run vs
  Build, letting Auto choose your agent and model, approvals, and more.
---

# Tips & shortcuts

Small habits that make Pencel faster to use day to day.

## Type `/` for a quick form

In any composer — on **Home** or inside a Run session — type `/` to open a **pre-built form**. Forms are deterministic: no AI round-trip, the same panel every time, so it's the fastest way to capture structured input. Start typing to filter the menu.

| Command | What it does |
|---------|--------------|
| `/todo` | Add a to-do — title, priority, and due date, saved straight to your [To-dos](/concepts/todos). |
| `/expense` | Log an expense — date, amount, category, and notes. |

::: tip
The `/` menu is extensible. Installing a [Marketplace](/concepts/solutions) solution pack can add domain-specific forms (for example, a freight replacement-booking form), which then appear in the same menu.
:::

Submitting a form either hands the collected values to the active agent to act on, or — for `/todo` — creates the item directly with no model call.

## Let Auto choose for you

* **Auto agent** — leave the agent selector on **Auto** and Pencel routes your request to a suitable agent. No need to know which one.
* **Pencel Auto model** — on a subscription, **Auto** mode picks a cost-optimized model for each task, so routine work stays cheap and hard work gets a stronger model. See [Managing costs](/best-practices/managing-costs).

## Run to explore, Build to repeat

Use **Run** on Home for one-off work you want done now. When you find yourself doing the same thing again, switch to **Build** and save it as a [Workflow](/concepts/playbooks) you can run on demand or on a schedule. See [Run mode](/concepts/chat).

## Capture work as to-dos

To-dos are working context, not just a checklist. Jot a task with `/todo` and an agent can pick it up later and act on it. See [Using to-dos](/guides/using-todos).

## Give agents your own knowledge

Point Pencel at a local folder to import your documents into [Knowledge](/concepts/knowledge). Agents then ground their answers in *your* material instead of the open web.

## Let Radar watch in the background

Turn on **[Radar](/concepts/radar)** (Settings → General) and Pencel scans on a schedule in read-only mode, posting insight cards to [Pulse](/concepts/operations) about things worth your attention. It never acts on its own.

## Review before agents act

Set **plan approval** or per-action approval in your [guidelines](/concepts/guidelines) so agents pause and ask before sending or changing anything. See [Approval workflows](/privacy-and-security/approval-workflows).

## Keyboard shortcuts

Learn a few navigation and composer shortcuts to move without the mouse. See [Keyboard shortcuts](/reference/keyboard-shortcuts).

## What's next

* [Run mode](/concepts/chat) — the live, conversational surface
* [Quickstart](/getting-started/quickstart) — get to a first result fast
* [FAQ](/reference/faq) — quick answers to common questions