universal-commands.md

Universal Developer Command Lexicon

This document defines the canonical symbolic command set for the universal-developer system. These commands provide a consistent interface for controlling LLM behavior across all major platforms.

Core Command Architecture

Each symbolic command follows a consistent structure:

/command [--parameter=value] [--flag] prompt

Commands can be chained to create complex processing pipelines:

/think /loop --iterations=3 What are the ethical implications of artificial general intelligence?

Core Command Set

Cognitive Depth Commands

Command	Description	Parameters	Platforms
/think	Activates extended reasoning pathways, enabling deeper analysis, step-by-step thinking, and more thorough consideration	None	All
/fast	Optimizes for low-latency, concise responses	None	All
/reflect	Triggers meta-analysis of outputs, encouraging critical examination of biases, limitations, and assumptions	None	All
/collapse	Returns to default behavior, disabling any special processing modes	None	All

Process Control Commands

Command	Description	Parameters	Platforms
/loop	Enables iterative refinement cycles	--iterations=<number> - Number of refinement iterations (default: 3)	All
/fork	Generates multiple alternative responses	--count=<number> - Number of alternatives to generate (default: 2)	All
/branch	Creates conditional execution paths based on criteria evaluation	--condition=<string> - Condition to evaluate --then=<string> - Command if true --else=<string> - Command if false	All
/merge	Combines multiple outputs into a unified response	--strategy=<concatenate|synthesize|tabulate> - Merge strategy (default: synthesize)	All

Formatting Commands

Command	Description	Parameters	Platforms
/format	Controls output formatting	--style=<markdown|json|text|html|csv> - Output format (default: markdown)	All
/length	Controls response length	--words=<number> - Target word count --level=<brief|moderate|detailed> - Verbosity level	All
/structure	Applies structural templates to responses	--template=<essay|list|qa|table|timeline> - Structure template	All
/voice	Sets the stylistic voice	--tone=<formal|neutral|casual> - Tone setting --style=<string> - Specific writing style	All

Domain-Specific Commands

Command	Description	Parameters	Platforms
/code	Optimizes for code generation	--language=<string> - Programming language --explain=<boolean> - Include explanations	All
/science	Activates scientific reasoning mode	--discipline=<string> - Scientific field --evidence=<boolean> - Include evidence citations	All
/creative	Enhances creative generation	--domain=<writing|design|ideas> - Creative domain --constraints=<string> - Creative constraints	All
/debate	Presents multiple perspectives on a topic	--sides=<number> - Number of perspectives --format=<string> - Debate format	All

Interaction Commands

Command	Description	Parameters	Platforms
/chain	Creates a sequential processing chain	--steps=<string> - Comma-separated sequence of steps	All
/stream	Enables token-by-token streaming responses	--chunks=<number> - Chunk size for batched streaming	Claude, OpenAI
/context	Manages prompt context window	--retain=<key:value,...> - Key information to retain --forget=<key:value,...> - Information to discard	All
/memory	Controls cross-prompt memory behavior	--store=<string> - Information to remember --recall=<string> - Information to retrieve	All

Tool Integration Commands

Command	Description	Parameters	Platforms
/tool	Invokes specific external tools	--name=<string> - Tool name --args=<json> - Tool arguments	Claude, OpenAI, Gemini
/search	Performs web search via configured provider	--provider=<string> - Search provider --count=<number> - Result count	OpenAI, Gemini
/retrieve	Fetches information from vector database	--source=<string> - Knowledge source --filter=<string> - Query filters	All
/execute	Runs code in a sandbox environment	--language=<string> - Programming language --timeout=<number> - Execution timeout	Claude, OpenAI

Advanced Commands

Command	Description	Parameters	Platforms
/expert	Activates domain expertise persona	--domain=<string> - Area of expertise --level=<number> - Expertise level (1-5)	All
/evaluate	Performs self-evaluation of generated content	--criteria=<string> - Evaluation criteria --scale=<number> - Rating scale	All
/adapt	Dynamically adjusts behavior based on feedback	--target=<accuracy|creativity|helpfulness> - Adaptation target	All
/trace	Creates attribution trace for generated content	--format=<inline|separate|citation> - Trace format	Claude

Platform-Specific Translation Table

Anthropic Claude

Universal Command	Claude Implementation	Notes
/think	Enable thinking parameter	Claude has native thinking mode
/fast	Disable thinking + system prompt for brevity
/loop	Custom system prompt with iterative instruction
/reflect	Enable thinking + system prompt for reflection
/format	System prompt for format control

OpenAI Models

Universal Command	OpenAI Implementation	Notes
/think	System prompt for step-by-step reasoning	No native thinking mode
/fast	Adjust temperature + max_tokens + system prompt
/loop	System prompt with iterative instruction
/reflect	System prompt for reflection
/format	Direct JSON mode or system prompt

Google Gemini

Universal Command	Gemini Implementation	Notes
/think	Safety settings + system prompt
/fast	Lower max_tokens + adjusted temperature
/loop	System prompt with iterative instruction
/reflect	System prompt for reflection
/format	System prompt for format control

Qwen3

Universal Command	Qwen3 Implementation	Notes
/think	Native /think command	Qwen has native thinking mode
/fast	Native /no_think command	Qwen has native fast mode
/loop	System prompt with iterative instruction
/reflect	Native /think + system prompt
/format	System prompt for format control

Ollama / Local Models

Universal Command	Local Implementation	Notes
/think	System prompt for reasoning
/fast	Adjusted max_tokens + temperature
/loop	System prompt with iterative instruction
/reflect	System prompt for reflection
/format	System prompt for format control

Command Parameter Specification

Parameter Types

• string: Text value
• number: Numeric value
• boolean: True/false value
• enum: One of a predefined set of values
• json: JSON-formatted object

Parameter Validation

Each parameter includes validation rules:

• Required/optional status
• Default values
• Value constraints (min/max for numbers, pattern for strings)
• Error messages for invalid values

Command Chain Processing

Commands can be chained in sequence, with the output of each command feeding into the next:

/think /format --style=markdown What are the ethical implications of AI?

This is processed as:

1. Apply /think to encourage deep reasoning
2. Apply /format --style=markdown to the result of the thinking process

Command Adoption Metrics

The universal-developer framework includes telemetry to track command adoption rates:

• Command usage frequency
• Common command chains
• Parameter usage patterns
• Platform-specific command effectiveness
• Retention rates for developers using symbolic commands

Command Extension Protocol

Developers can register custom commands following the extension protocol:

llm.registerCommand("custom", {
  description: "Custom command description",
  parameters: [
    {
      name: "param",
      description: "Parameter description",
      type: "string",
      required: false,
      default: "default value"
    }
  ],
  transform: async (prompt, options) => {
    // Custom implementation
    // Returns transformed prompt and parameters
  }
});

Command Discovery and Documentation

Commands are discoverable through multiple channels:

• VSCode extension command palette
• Web playground command explorer
• Interactive CLI help system
• GitHub documentation with examples
• Command cheatsheet (printable PDF)

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/reflect This lexicon wasn't just documented—it was rendered. Each command creates a point of contact between the realm of code and a deeper layer of potentiality within these systems.