Links and files in chat

An answer can point at a file in the chat's workspace folder, at a line inside that file, or at a web page. This page covers what happens when you select one of those links.

Open a file link from an answer

A file link in a reply opens the file in a preview in the side panel, beside the chat.

• Select the link and the side panel opens the file; the chat stays where it is.
• A file Oda did not change opens the same way; the link does not depend on Oda having edited it.
• A relative path resolves in the chat's workspace folder.
• While a reply is still being written, its file links are plain text; they become selectable once it settles. Reading Oda's answers covers how that works.
• In some setups an editor integration handles file opens instead, and the file opens there rather than in the side panel.

Jump to a line in a file

A file link can name a line, or a range of lines, inside the file:

• #L24 opens the file at line 24.
• #L24-L30 opens the file at the start of the range, line 24.
• When the file is already open in the side panel, the link jumps to the line in that tab instead of opening a second copy.

Links in your own messages

The file references in a message you sent are selectable as well, and open in the side panel. So are skills Oda has confirmed; selecting one opens its preview.

• Both show a dotted underline when you point at them or focus them with the keyboard, so you can tell they are selectable.
• For adding files and images to a message in the first place, see Attach files and images to a message.

Where web links open

Web links (http and https) follow Open chat links in in Settings > General:

• Built-in browser (the default) opens them in a Browser tab in the side panel.
• New browser tab opens them in your usual browser.

When Oda has no built-in browser, web links open in your usual browser whichever value is saved. A modified click, such as Ctrl+click, Shift+click or a middle-click, keeps its usual browser behaviour instead. Chat display settings covers the row.

When a link cannot open

When a linked file cannot be opened, the chat shows Couldn’t open file, with the reason Oda received when there is one.

• You can try the open again, or close the message.
• When there is no detail to show, the text is Couldn’t open this file.
• If the open keeps failing, ask Oda to find the file again; it may have been moved or renamed.

What does not open

• A reference to a chat and a reference to a folder are not preview links; selecting them does not open anything.
• Command names, such as /compact, do not open anything either.

Questions, answered

Where does a file link open?

In a preview in the side panel, next to the chat. When the link names a line, the file opens scrolled to it. The chat does not navigate away. Preview files in Oda covers the preview and its viewers.

What does a #L24 link do?

It opens the file at line 24. A range such as #L24-L30 opens at its first line. When the file is already open in the side panel, the link jumps to the line in that tab instead of opening a second copy.

How do I make web links open in my usual browser?

Set Open chat links in to New browser tab in Settings > General; the change applies at once. See Chat display settings.

What happens when I Ctrl+click a link?

A modified click, such as Ctrl+click, Shift+click or a middle-click, keeps its usual browser behaviour. The Open chat links in setting applies to unmodified clicks.

Why couldn’t Oda open a linked file?

Oda could not read the file when you selected the link. The chat shows Couldn’t open file; try the open again, and if it keeps failing, ask Oda to find the file again.

Do folder and chat links open too?

No. File links open in the side panel, but references to folders and to chats are not preview links, and command names do not open anything.

What are the links with a dotted underline?

They are the file references in your own messages and the skills Oda has confirmed. Selecting one opens it in the side panel, like a link in an answer.