Purpose: Unified definition of core concepts and terminology related to iFlow CLI
Use Cases: New user learning, documentation reference, terminology lookup
Core Concepts
iFlow CLI Basics
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|
| iFlow CLI | Terminal-based AI assistant tool providing code analysis, task execution and other functions | iflow |
| XinLiu AI | Development team and service provider of iFlow CLI | iflow.cn |
| API Key | Authentication key for connecting to XinLiu AI services | Generated in settings page |
| Workspace | Current directory environment where iFlow CLI is executed | cd project/ |
| MCP | Model Context Protocol, server system for extending AI capabilities | /mcp |
| Sub Agent | Intelligent Agent system suitable for executing different professional tasks | /agents |
| Sub Command | Command line extensions | /commands |
Command System
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|
| Slash Commands | Built-in control commands in iFlow CLI starting with / | /init, /help, /clear |
| Shell Commands | System commands executed in CLI starting with ! | !ls, !npm install |
| @File Reference Commands | File reference @filepath | @src/App.tsx |
| $Subagent Execution Commands | Execute a subagent starting with $ | e.g. $code-reviewer |
| Natural Language Instructions | Instructions for direct conversation with AI in natural language | > Analyze this project structure |
Execution Modes
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|
| yolo | Default execution mode that allows CLI to perform all operations | Use shift + enter to switch modes |
| plan mode | CLI will first plan tasks and require manual confirmation before execution | Use shift + enter to switch modes |
| default mode | Mode where all operations require user confirmation | Use shift + enter to switch modes |
| accepting edits | Mode where the model automatically executes file creation and modification, other operations still require user confirmation | Use shift + enter to switch modes |
Interaction Modes
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|
| Multi-line Input | Multi-line text input created using \ or Shift+Enter | line1 \ line2 |
| Image Paste | Paste images into CLI using Ctrl/Cmd+V | [Pasted image #1] |
| File Reference | Reference files or directories using @ symbol | @src/app.js |
| Placeholder | Simplified display identifier generated by system for large content | [Pasted text #1 +45 lines] |
Extension System
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|
| MCP | Model Context Protocol, communication standard between AI and external tools | Model Context Protocol |
| MCP Server | External tools or services that implement the MCP protocol | playwright-mcp, file-system-mcp |
| stdio Server | MCP server that communicates through standard input/output | Local Python scripts |
| SSE Server | MCP server based on Server-Sent Events | Web API services |
Agent System
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|
| Sub Agent | AI assistant specialized in handling specific domain tasks | Code review agent, documentation generation agent |
| Agent Configuration | Configuration file defining sub agent behavior and capabilities | .iflow/agents/config.json |
| Task Distribution | Mechanism for assigning complex tasks to different specialized agents | Automatically select appropriate agents |
Features
Memory and State
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|
| Context | Background information for AI assistant to understand current conversation | Project structure, conversation history |
| Content Import | Import information from external files into AI context | @README.md |
| Checkpoint | Function point for saving current session state | Save important conversation nodes |
| Session History | Complete record of current conversation | Can be cleared with /clear |
Advanced Features
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|
| Observability | Function for collecting and analyzing system runtime data | Usage statistics, performance monitoring |
| Multimodal | Ability to simultaneously process multiple data types like text and images | Image understanding, document analysis |
| Workflow | Automated task execution sequence | Code generation → Testing → Deployment |
Configuration and Management
Configuration Files
| Term | Definition | Location |
|---|
| Global Configuration | iFlow CLI settings that affect all projects | ~/.iflow/settings.json |
| Project Configuration | iFlow CLI settings for specific projects | {project}/.iflow/config.json |
| IFLOW.md | Project-specific AI context documentation | Project root directory |
Authentication Methods
| Term | Definition | Features |
|---|
| iFlow Native Authentication | Authentication method using XinLiu AI official API | Full functionality, recommended |
| OpenAI Compatible API | Third-party API using OpenAI protocol | Limited functionality, alternative option |
Operating Systems
| Term | Definition | Support Status |
|---|
| macOS | Apple operating system | ✅ Fully supported |
| Linux | Linux distributions | ✅ Fully supported |
| Windows | Microsoft operating system | ✅ Supported |
| WSL | Windows Subsystem for Linux | ✅ Recommended for Windows users |
Development Environment
| Term | Definition | Requirements |
|---|
| Node.js | JavaScript runtime environment | Version 22+ |
| npm | Node.js package manager | Installed with Node.js |
| Shell | Command line interface environment | Bash/Zsh/Fish recommended |
Usage Scenario Classification
By User Type
| User Type | Definition | Typical Needs |
|---|
| Beginners | Users using iFlow CLI for the first time | Quick start, basic operations |
| Advanced Users | Users with some experience | Feature extensions, efficiency improvements |
| Expert Users | Users with deep usage and customization | Team collaboration, best practices |
By Work Scenario
| Scenario Type | Definition | Main Functions |
|---|
| Web Development | Frontend/backend development work | Code generation, debugging, refactoring |
| Data Analysis | Data processing and analysis work | File processing, script automation |
| DevOps | Operations and deployment work | Script execution, tool integration |
| Learning & Research | Learning and research activities | Document analysis, knowledge organization |
Common Terminology Errors
Easily Confused Concepts
| Incorrect Usage | Correct Usage | Explanation |
|---|
| Claude CLI | iFlow CLI | Correct product name |
| 心流CLI | iFlow CLI | English name is more accurate |
| MCP Plugin | MCP Server | Called servers, not plugins in MCP |
| Agent | Sub Agent | Called sub agents in iFlow CLI |
| Command Line Tool | Terminal AI Assistant | More accurate functional description |
Versions and Updates
Version Terminology
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|
| Stable Release | Official version that has been thoroughly tested | v1.0.0 |
| Beta Release | Feature-complete version that requires further testing | v1.1.0-beta |
| Development Release | Development version containing the latest features | v1.1.0-alpha |
Getting Help
When you encounter unfamiliar terminology in the documentation:
- First consult: This glossary
- Search documentation: Use browser search function
- View examples: Find relevant usage examples
- Seek help: Ask questions in GitHub Issues
Maintenance Note: This glossary will be continuously maintained as iFlow CLI features are updated. If you find inaccurate or missing term definitions, please submit feedback.