# How to Get Support for Ponytail: Built-in Commands, GitHub Issues, and Configuration Guides

> Get Ponytail support fast. Use the /ponytail-help command, check the README and configuration guides, or open a GitHub Issue for maintainer assistance.

- Repository: [DietrichGebert/ponytail](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail)
- Tags: getting-started
- Published: 2026-09-10

---

**Start with the `/ponytail-help` command for instant reference, then consult the README and [`skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md) for deep configuration details; if issues persist, open a GitHub Issue for direct maintainer support.**

Ponytail is a "lazy senior dev" framework designed for AI-agent ecosystems. Whether you are troubleshooting installation errors or customizing default modes, the repository offers structured support channels ranging from built-in CLI skills to community-driven issue tracking.

## Built-in Help Skill

The fastest way to resolve questions is through the framework's native help system.

### Using the /ponytail-help Command

Ponytail includes a dedicated help skill that serves as a quick-reference card for all modes, skills, and commands. According to the source code in [`skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md), you can activate this by typing `/ponytail-help` or simply asking "what ponytail commands" in your AI console.

```bash

# Display the quick-reference card

/ponytail-help

# Switch to ultra mode for the current session

/ponytail ultra

```

This skill documents every available command and configuration option without requiring you to leave your development environment.

## Official Documentation

For comprehensive guidance beyond the inline help, Ponytail maintains detailed documentation in the repository root.

### README and Platform Guides

The [`README.md`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/README.md) file serves as the central hub for installation instructions, update procedures, and hook integration. For platform-specific guidance, consult the documents located in the `docs/` directory, including [`platform-native.md`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/platform-native.md) and [`agent-portability.md`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/agent-portability.md).

These files cover environment-specific setups and portability considerations across different AI agents, ensuring you can deploy Ponytail regardless of your host platform.

## GitHub Issues and Community Support

When documentation does not resolve your problem, the GitHub repository provides direct access to the maintainer and community.

### Reporting Bugs and Feature Requests

Open a new issue in the GitHub repository to report bugs or request features. The maintainer actively monitors the issue tracker, as evidenced by historical references such as issue [#126](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/issues/126) linked in the documentation.

Before filing, check existing issues to see if your problem has already been addressed. The issue tracker also accepts feature requests and usage clarifications.

### GitHub Discussions

If your question is more about usage patterns or best practices rather than bugs, use the GitHub Discussions tab. This community-driven forum allows users to share tips, real-world examples, and workarounds for complex integrations.

## Updating and Configuring Ponytail

Many support issues resolve simply by updating to the latest version or adjusting configuration parameters.

### Automatic Plugin Updates

Keep Ponytail current to receive the latest bug fixes and skills without manual reinstallation. As documented in [`skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md) (lines 63-68), run the following commands in Claude Code:

```bash
/plugin marketplace update ponytail
/reload-plugins

```

Other hosts may provide equivalent update UIs referenced in their respective documentation sections.

### Customizing Default Behavior

Override Ponytail's default `full` mode or disable auto-activation entirely using environment variables or configuration files. According to [`skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md) (lines 48-56), you can:

```bash

# Set via environment variable (Bash/Zsh)

export PONYTAIL_DEFAULT_MODE=off

```

Alternatively, edit the JSON configuration file:

```json
// ~/.config/ponytail/config.json
{
  "defaultMode": "off"
}

```

Valid modes include `full`, `ultra`, and `off`, allowing you to control how aggressively Ponytail participates in your sessions.

## Host-Specific Integration Support

Some AI agents require manual configuration to load Ponytail correctly.

### Manual Hook Setup for Qoder

For hosts like Qoder that do not auto-load plugins, Ponytail provides hook integration files. Copy [`hooks/qoder-hooks.json`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/hooks/qoder-hooks.json) into your Qoder settings as shown in the README (lines 211-218) to enable manual activation.

The command definitions themselves reside in [`commands/ponytail.toml`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/commands/ponytail.toml), which specifies the structure of the `/ponytail` command and its sub-commands for hosts that parse TOML configuration.

## Summary

- **Use `/ponytail-help`** for immediate command reference without leaving your editor
- **Read [`README.md`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/README.md)** and **[`docs/platform-native.md`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/docs/platform-native.md)** for installation and portability guidance
- **File GitHub Issues** for bugs, errors, or feature requests directly with the maintainer
- **Update regularly** using `/plugin marketplace update ponytail` followed by `/reload-plugins`
- **Configure via** `PONYTAIL_DEFAULT_MODE` environment variable or `~/.config/ponytail/config.json`
- **Install hooks manually** using [`hooks/qoder-hooks.json`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/hooks/qoder-hooks.json) for non-auto-loading hosts

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How do I access the Ponytail help documentation instantly?

Type `/ponytail-help` in your AI console or ask "what ponytail commands" to display the quick-reference card defined in [`skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md). This provides immediate access to all available modes and configuration options without browsing external websites.

### Where do I report bugs or request new features for Ponytail?

Open a GitHub Issue on the DietrichGebert/ponytail repository. The maintainer actively monitors the issue tracker, and community members often contribute solutions to existing threads. For usage questions rather than bugs, use the GitHub Discussions tab.

### How do I disable Ponytail's automatic activation?

Set the `PONYTAIL_DEFAULT_MODE` environment variable to `off` or create/edit `~/.config/ponytail/config.json` to include `"defaultMode": "off"`. This prevents Ponytail from auto-activating in new sessions while keeping the plugin installed for manual use.

### What file contains the command definitions for Ponytail?

The primary command structure is defined in [`commands/ponytail.toml`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/commands/ponytail.toml), which specifies the `/ponytail` command and its sub-commands. For help-specific commands, see [`skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail/blob/main/skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md), which implements the `/ponytail-help` logic and documents configuration parameters.