[VS Code] Spike: Implement command/tool for explaining terminal output

Problem to Solve

Currently, Duo Chat is not available to users in the terminal. We want to pave a path forward for the user to select output in the terminal and ask chat to explain what the output is.

• Here is the explain_code executor.rb
• In gitlab-vscode-extension#1423 (closed) we will need a way for Duo Chat to request explanation of terminal output.

Spike Outcomes

1. Identify whether it's feasible to re-use the current /explain command in the terminal
2. Do we need to create a new tool in rails to support the variation?
3. Does this work need to start within groupeditor extensions or should it start within another group?

Context

See this thread for some initial analysis by Angelo.

I suggest syncing with some Duo Chat folks about their thoughts on creating a new chat tool. It was relatively simple to add, but there may be gotchas I am missing.

Adding a slash command on the UI is relatively easy, you just add the command here.

If UX/Product doesn't wish to add a new slash command, you may be able to extend the GQL Api so that it takes a new param terminalOutput, and updates the main /explain prompt by adding in that terminal context. I advise against this, though, because making prompts larger with various instructions might not lead to optimal results.

Links

• docs for adding a new duo chat tool