> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.trynito.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Your First Ask

> Ask a new model, run basic commands, and set a default model.

<Note>
  Type Nito commands **inside a running Claude Code or Codex session**, not at your terminal prompt. Typing `$nito:ask …` at a plain shell prompt will not work; your shell tries to interpret it and reports something like `no matches found`. Start your harness first, then run the command inside it.
</Note>

## See What's Available

The `help` command displays a menu of Nito commands you can run:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Claude Code">
    ```text theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"},"languages":{"custom":["typescript","python","curl"]}}
    /nito:help
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Codex">
    ```text theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"},"languages":{"custom":["typescript","python","curl"]}}
    $nito:help
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Run Your First Ask

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Claude Code">
    ```text theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"},"languages":{"custom":["typescript","python","curl"]}}
    /nito:ask What is the capital of France?
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Codex">
    ```text theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"},"languages":{"custom":["typescript","python","curl"]}}
    $nito:ask What is the capital of France?
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

`ask` is the simplest Nito command: one prompt to a model in the Nito catalog, with the response back in your chat. It runs as an ordinary turn, so your harness sees and stores it the same way it stores anything else you type.

You do not have to choose a model first. With no saved preference, `ask` uses a default. The model picker is there for when you want to browse or switch.

## Read the Result Label

Every Nito result includes a label telling you exactly what ran:

```text theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"},"languages":{"custom":["typescript","python","curl"]}}
Nito · <environment> · <model> · <privacy level> · <context scope>
```

A hosted plugin call looks like this:

```text theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"},"languages":{"custom":["typescript","python","curl"]}}
Nito · Hosted · z-ai/glm-5.2 · private · Prompt only
```

* **environment**: where the call ran. Plugin calls read `Hosted`.
* **model**: the model that answered.
* **privacy level**: Anonymous, Private, or Confidential.
* **context scope**: how much of your conversation was shared. Prompt only, by default.

<Note>
  When a prompt needs to stay out of your harness entirely, use [`private`](/get-started/your-first-private-prompt) instead.
</Note>

## Try a Different Model

Override the model for a single call with `--model`:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Claude Code">
    ```text theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"},"languages":{"custom":["typescript","python","curl"]}}
    /nito:ask --model qwen/qwen3-coder Summarize the tradeoffs of optimistic locking.
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Codex">
    ```text theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"},"languages":{"custom":["typescript","python","curl"]}}
    $nito:ask --model qwen/qwen3-coder Summarize the tradeoffs of optimistic locking.
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Note>
  The model IDs here are examples. Run `models` to see the live catalog for your account, and pass any logical ID you find to `--model`.
</Note>

## Set a Default

Two commands, both inside Claude Code or Codex.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Claude Code">
    ```text theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"},"languages":{"custom":["typescript","python","curl"]}}
    /nito:models          browse the catalog
    /nito:model           see your current default and change it
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Codex">
    ```text theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"},"languages":{"custom":["typescript","python","curl"]}}
    $nito:models          browse the catalog
    $nito:model           see your current default and change it
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Run `model` with no argument to see what you are on and pick from a list.

<Note>
  `/nito:model` changes the model your future Nito calls use. It does not change the model running your session.
</Note>

More in [Choosing a Model](/commands/choosing-a-model).