diff --git a/cli.py b/cli.py
index 038c83f06f..da401e5c18 100644
--- a/cli.py
+++ b/cli.py
@@ -6129,8 +6129,6 @@ class HermesCLI:
             self._handle_agents_command()
         elif canonical == "background":
             self._handle_background_command(cmd_original)
-        elif canonical == "btw":
-            self._handle_btw_command(cmd_original)
         elif canonical == "queue":
             # Extract prompt after "/queue " or "/q "
             parts = cmd_original.split(None, 1)
@@ -6417,122 +6415,6 @@ class HermesCLI:
         self._background_tasks[task_id] = thread
         thread.start()
 
-    def _handle_btw_command(self, cmd: str):
-        """Handle /btw <question> — ephemeral side question using session context.
-
-        Snapshots the current conversation history, spawns a no-tools agent in
-        a background thread, and prints the answer without persisting anything
-        to the main session.
-        """
-        parts = cmd.strip().split(maxsplit=1)
-        if len(parts) < 2 or not parts[1].strip():
-            _cprint("  Usage: /btw <question>")
-            _cprint("  Example: /btw what module owns session title sanitization?")
-            _cprint("  Answers using session context. No tools, not persisted.")
-            return
-
-        question = parts[1].strip()
-        task_id = f"btw_{datetime.now().strftime('%H%M%S')}_{uuid.uuid4().hex[:6]}"
-
-        if not self._ensure_runtime_credentials():
-            _cprint("  (>_<) Cannot start /btw: no valid credentials.")
-            return
-
-        turn_route = self._resolve_turn_agent_config(question)
-        history_snapshot = list(self.conversation_history)
-
-        preview = question[:60] + ("..." if len(question) > 60 else "")
-        _cprint(f'  💬 /btw: "{preview}"')
-
-        def run_btw():
-            try:
-                btw_agent = AIAgent(
-                    model=turn_route["model"],
-                    api_key=turn_route["runtime"].get("api_key"),
-                    base_url=turn_route["runtime"].get("base_url"),
-                    provider=turn_route["runtime"].get("provider"),
-                    api_mode=turn_route["runtime"].get("api_mode"),
-                    acp_command=turn_route["runtime"].get("command"),
-                    acp_args=turn_route["runtime"].get("args"),
-                    max_iterations=8,
-                    enabled_toolsets=[],
-                    quiet_mode=True,
-                    verbose_logging=False,
-                    session_id=task_id,
-                    platform="cli",
-                    reasoning_config=self.reasoning_config,
-                    service_tier=self.service_tier,
-                    request_overrides=turn_route.get("request_overrides"),
-                    providers_allowed=self._providers_only,
-                    providers_ignored=self._providers_ignore,
-                    providers_order=self._providers_order,
-                    provider_sort=self._provider_sort,
-                    provider_require_parameters=self._provider_require_params,
-                    provider_data_collection=self._provider_data_collection,
-                    fallback_model=self._fallback_model,
-                    session_db=None,
-                    skip_memory=True,
-                    skip_context_files=True,
-                    persist_session=False,
-                )
-
-                btw_prompt = (
-                    "[Ephemeral /btw side question. Answer using the conversation "
-                    "context. No tools available. Be direct and concise.]\n\n"
-                    + question
-                )
-                result = btw_agent.run_conversation(
-                    user_message=btw_prompt,
-                    conversation_history=history_snapshot,
-                    task_id=task_id,
-                )
-
-                response = (result.get("final_response") or "") if result else ""
-                if not response and result and result.get("error"):
-                    response = f"Error: {result['error']}"
-
-                # TUI refresh before printing
-                if self._app:
-                    self._app.invalidate()
-                    time.sleep(0.05)
-                print()
-
-                if response:
-                    try:
-                        from hermes_cli.skin_engine import get_active_skin
-                        _skin = get_active_skin()
-                        _resp_color = _skin.get_color("response_border", "#4F6D4A")
-                    except Exception:
-                        _resp_color = "#4F6D4A"
-
-                    ChatConsole().print(Panel(
-                        _render_final_assistant_content(response, mode=self.final_response_markdown),
-                        title=f"[{_resp_color} bold]⚕ /btw[/]",
-                        title_align="left",
-                        border_style=_resp_color,
-                        box=rich_box.HORIZONTALS,
-                        padding=(1, 4),
-                    ))
-                else:
-                    _cprint("  💬 /btw: (no response)")
-
-                if self.bell_on_complete:
-                    sys.stdout.write("\a")
-                    sys.stdout.flush()
-
-            except Exception as e:
-                if self._app:
-                    self._app.invalidate()
-                    time.sleep(0.05)
-                print()
-                _cprint(f"  ❌ /btw failed: {e}")
-            finally:
-                if self._app:
-                    self._invalidate(min_interval=0)
-
-        thread = threading.Thread(target=run_btw, daemon=True, name=f"btw-{task_id}")
-        thread.start()
-
     @staticmethod
     def _try_launch_chrome_debug(port: int, system: str) -> bool:
         """Try to launch Chrome/Chromium with remote debugging enabled.
diff --git a/gateway/platforms/discord.py b/gateway/platforms/discord.py
index 5d30f244e8..b4018c6df6 100644
--- a/gateway/platforms/discord.py
+++ b/gateway/platforms/discord.py
@@ -2315,11 +2315,6 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         async def slash_background(interaction: discord.Interaction, prompt: str):
             await self._run_simple_slash(interaction, f"/background {prompt}", "Background task started~")
 
-        @tree.command(name="btw", description="Ephemeral side question using session context")
-        @discord.app_commands.describe(question="Your side question (no tools, not persisted)")
-        async def slash_btw(interaction: discord.Interaction, question: str):
-            await self._run_simple_slash(interaction, f"/btw {question}")
-
         # ── Auto-register any gateway-available commands not yet on the tree ──
         # This ensures new commands added to COMMAND_REGISTRY in
         # hermes_cli/commands.py automatically appear as Discord slash
diff --git a/gateway/run.py b/gateway/run.py
index d7331bdc75..6cd1083ba7 100644
--- a/gateway/run.py
+++ b/gateway/run.py
@@ -3773,9 +3773,6 @@ class GatewayRunner:
         if canonical == "background":
             return await self._handle_background_command(event)
 
-        if canonical == "btw":
-            return await self._handle_btw_command(event)
-
         if canonical == "steer":
             # No active agent — /steer has no tool call to inject into.
             # Strip the prefix so downstream treats it as a normal user
@@ -6673,177 +6670,6 @@ class GatewayRunner:
             except Exception:
                 pass
 
-    async def _handle_btw_command(self, event: MessageEvent) -> str:
-        """Handle /btw <question> — ephemeral side question in the same chat."""
-        question = event.get_command_args().strip()
-        if not question:
-            return (
-                "Usage: /btw <question>\n"
-                "Example: /btw what module owns session title sanitization?\n\n"
-                "Answers using session context. No tools, not persisted."
-            )
-
-        source = event.source
-        session_key = self._session_key_for_source(source)
-
-        # Guard: one /btw at a time per session
-        existing = getattr(self, "_active_btw_tasks", {}).get(session_key)
-        if existing and not existing.done():
-            return "A /btw is already running for this chat. Wait for it to finish."
-
-        if not hasattr(self, "_active_btw_tasks"):
-            self._active_btw_tasks: dict = {}
-
-        import uuid as _uuid
-        task_id = f"btw_{datetime.now().strftime('%H%M%S')}_{_uuid.uuid4().hex[:6]}"
-        _task = asyncio.create_task(self._run_btw_task(question, source, session_key, task_id))
-        self._background_tasks.add(_task)
-        self._active_btw_tasks[session_key] = _task
-
-        def _cleanup(task):
-            self._background_tasks.discard(task)
-            if self._active_btw_tasks.get(session_key) is task:
-                self._active_btw_tasks.pop(session_key, None)
-
-        _task.add_done_callback(_cleanup)
-
-        preview = question[:60] + ("..." if len(question) > 60 else "")
-        return f'💬 /btw: "{preview}"\nReply will appear here shortly.'
-
-    async def _run_btw_task(
-        self, question: str, source, session_key: str, task_id: str,
-    ) -> None:
-        """Execute an ephemeral /btw side question and deliver the answer."""
-        from run_agent import AIAgent
-
-        adapter = self.adapters.get(source.platform)
-        if not adapter:
-            logger.warning("No adapter for platform %s in /btw task %s", source.platform, task_id)
-            return
-
-        _thread_meta = {"thread_id": source.thread_id} if source.thread_id else None
-
-        try:
-            user_config = _load_gateway_config()
-            model, runtime_kwargs = self._resolve_session_agent_runtime(
-                source=source,
-                session_key=session_key,
-                user_config=user_config,
-            )
-            if not runtime_kwargs.get("api_key"):
-                await adapter.send(
-                    source.chat_id,
-                    "❌ /btw failed: no provider credentials configured.",
-                    metadata=_thread_meta,
-                )
-                return
-
-            platform_key = _platform_config_key(source.platform)
-            reasoning_config = self._resolve_session_reasoning_config(
-                source=source,
-                session_key=session_key,
-            )
-            self._service_tier = self._load_service_tier()
-            turn_route = self._resolve_turn_agent_config(question, model, runtime_kwargs)
-            pr = self._provider_routing
-
-            # Snapshot history from running agent or stored transcript
-            running_agent = self._running_agents.get(session_key)
-            if running_agent and running_agent is not _AGENT_PENDING_SENTINEL:
-                history_snapshot = list(getattr(running_agent, "_session_messages", []) or [])
-            else:
-                session_entry = self.session_store.get_or_create_session(source)
-                history_snapshot = self.session_store.load_transcript(session_entry.session_id)
-
-            btw_prompt = (
-                "[Ephemeral /btw side question. Answer using the conversation "
-                "context. No tools available. Be direct and concise.]\n\n"
-                + question
-            )
-
-            def run_sync():
-                agent = AIAgent(
-                    model=turn_route["model"],
-                    **turn_route["runtime"],
-                    max_iterations=8,
-                    quiet_mode=True,
-                    verbose_logging=False,
-                    enabled_toolsets=[],
-                    reasoning_config=reasoning_config,
-                    service_tier=self._service_tier,
-                    request_overrides=turn_route.get("request_overrides"),
-                    providers_allowed=pr.get("only"),
-                    providers_ignored=pr.get("ignore"),
-                    providers_order=pr.get("order"),
-                    provider_sort=pr.get("sort"),
-                    provider_require_parameters=pr.get("require_parameters", False),
-                    provider_data_collection=pr.get("data_collection"),
-                    session_id=task_id,
-                    platform=platform_key,
-                    session_db=None,
-                    fallback_model=self._fallback_model,
-                    skip_memory=True,
-                    skip_context_files=True,
-                    persist_session=False,
-                )
-                try:
-                    return agent.run_conversation(
-                        user_message=btw_prompt,
-                        conversation_history=history_snapshot,
-                        task_id=task_id,
-                    )
-                finally:
-                    self._cleanup_agent_resources(agent)
-
-            result = await self._run_in_executor_with_context(run_sync)
-
-            response = (result.get("final_response") or "") if result else ""
-            if not response and result and result.get("error"):
-                response = f"Error: {result['error']}"
-            if not response:
-                response = "(No response generated)"
-
-            media_files, response = adapter.extract_media(response)
-            images, text_content = adapter.extract_images(response)
-            preview = question[:60] + ("..." if len(question) > 60 else "")
-            header = f'💬 /btw: "{preview}"\n\n'
-
-            if text_content:
-                await adapter.send(
-                    chat_id=source.chat_id,
-                    content=header + text_content,
-                    metadata=_thread_meta,
-                )
-            elif not images and not media_files:
-                await adapter.send(
-                    chat_id=source.chat_id,
-                    content=header + "(No response generated)",
-                    metadata=_thread_meta,
-                )
-
-            for image_url, alt_text in (images or []):
-                try:
-                    await adapter.send_image(chat_id=source.chat_id, image_url=image_url, caption=alt_text)
-                except Exception:
-                    pass
-
-            for media_path, _is_voice in (media_files or []):
-                try:
-                    await adapter.send_file(chat_id=source.chat_id, file_path=media_path)
-                except Exception:
-                    pass
-
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.exception("/btw task %s failed", task_id)
-            try:
-                await adapter.send(
-                    chat_id=source.chat_id,
-                    content=f"❌ /btw failed: {e}",
-                    metadata=_thread_meta,
-                )
-            except Exception:
-                pass
-
     async def _handle_reasoning_command(self, event: MessageEvent) -> str:
         """Handle /reasoning command — manage reasoning effort and display toggle.
 
diff --git a/hermes_cli/commands.py b/hermes_cli/commands.py
index 4d650487b4..614d783d95 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/commands.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/commands.py
@@ -84,9 +84,7 @@ COMMAND_REGISTRY: list[CommandDef] = [
     CommandDef("deny", "Deny a pending dangerous command", "Session",
                gateway_only=True),
     CommandDef("background", "Run a prompt in the background", "Session",
-               aliases=("bg",), args_hint="<prompt>"),
-    CommandDef("btw", "Ephemeral side question using session context (no tools, not persisted)", "Session",
-               args_hint="<question>"),
+               aliases=("bg", "btw"), args_hint="<prompt>"),
     CommandDef("agents", "Show active agents and running tasks", "Session",
                aliases=("tasks",)),
     CommandDef("queue", "Queue a prompt for the next turn (doesn't interrupt)", "Session",
diff --git a/hermes_cli/tips.py b/hermes_cli/tips.py
index db66e1db1b..a93a31db13 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/tips.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/tips.py
@@ -10,8 +10,7 @@ import random
 
 TIPS = [
     # --- Slash Commands ---
-    "/btw <question> asks a quick side question without tools or history — great for clarifications.",
-    "/background <prompt> runs a task in a separate session while your current one stays free.",
+    "/background <prompt> (alias /bg or /btw) runs a task in a separate session while your current one stays free.",
     "/branch forks the current session so you can explore a different direction without losing progress.",
     "/compress manually compresses conversation context when things get long.",
     "/rollback lists filesystem checkpoints — restore files the agent modified to any prior state.",
diff --git a/skills/autonomous-ai-agents/hermes-agent/SKILL.md b/skills/autonomous-ai-agents/hermes-agent/SKILL.md
index 4ed03a904c..76a0e51b6c 100644
--- a/skills/autonomous-ai-agents/hermes-agent/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/autonomous-ai-agents/hermes-agent/SKILL.md
@@ -281,7 +281,6 @@ Type these during an interactive chat session.
 ### Utility
 ```
 /branch (/fork)      Branch the current session
-/btw                 Ephemeral side question (doesn't interrupt main task)
 /fast                Toggle priority/fast processing
 /browser             Open CDP browser connection
 /history             Show conversation history (CLI)
diff --git a/tui_gateway/server.py b/tui_gateway/server.py
index 03631bf174..30531aab28 100644
--- a/tui_gateway/server.py
+++ b/tui_gateway/server.py
@@ -2550,48 +2550,6 @@ def _(rid, params: dict) -> dict:
     return _ok(rid, {"task_id": task_id})
 
 
-@method("prompt.btw")
-def _(rid, params: dict) -> dict:
-    session, err = _sess(params, rid)
-    if err:
-        return err
-    text, sid = params.get("text", ""), params.get("session_id", "")
-    if not text:
-        return _err(rid, 4012, "text required")
-    snapshot = list(session.get("history", []))
-
-    def run():
-        session_tokens = _set_session_context(session["session_key"])
-        try:
-            from run_agent import AIAgent
-
-            result = AIAgent(
-                model=_resolve_model(),
-                quiet_mode=True,
-                platform="tui",
-                max_iterations=8,
-                enabled_toolsets=[],
-            ).run_conversation(text, conversation_history=snapshot)
-            _emit(
-                "btw.complete",
-                sid,
-                {
-                    "text": (
-                        result.get("final_response", str(result))
-                        if isinstance(result, dict)
-                        else str(result)
-                    )
-                },
-            )
-        except Exception as e:
-            _emit("btw.complete", sid, {"text": f"error: {e}"})
-        finally:
-            _clear_session_context(session_tokens)
-
-    threading.Thread(target=run, daemon=True).start()
-    return _ok(rid, {"status": "running"})
-
-
 # ── Methods: respond ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 
diff --git a/ui-tui/README.md b/ui-tui/README.md
index 2f95a47aa2..17d57f08af 100644
--- a/ui-tui/README.md
+++ b/ui-tui/README.md
@@ -252,7 +252,6 @@ Primary event types the client handles today:
 | `sudo.request`           | `{ request_id }`                                |
 | `secret.request`         | `{ prompt, env_var, request_id }`               |
 | `background.complete`    | `{ task_id, text }`                             |
-| `btw.complete`           | `{ text }`                                      |
 | `error`                  | `{ message }`                                   |
 | `gateway.stderr`         | synthesized from child stderr                   |
 | `gateway.protocol_error` | synthesized from malformed stdout               |
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/app/createGatewayEventHandler.ts b/ui-tui/src/app/createGatewayEventHandler.ts
index 15cf00a5a9..0bd505078f 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/app/createGatewayEventHandler.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/app/createGatewayEventHandler.ts
@@ -431,12 +431,6 @@ export function createGatewayEventHandler(ctx: GatewayEventHandlerContext): (ev:
 
         return
 
-      case 'btw.complete':
-        dropBgTask('btw:x')
-        sys(`[btw] ${ev.payload.text}`)
-
-        return
-
       case 'subagent.spawn_requested':
         // Child built but not yet running (waiting on ThreadPoolExecutor slot).
         // Preserve completed state if a later event races in before this one.
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/app/slash/commands/session.ts b/ui-tui/src/app/slash/commands/session.ts
index 1049ee34d8..df106e1d86 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/app/slash/commands/session.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/app/slash/commands/session.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import { attachedImageNotice, introMsg, toTranscriptMessages } from '../../../domain/messages.js'
 import type {
   BackgroundStartResponse,
-  BtwStartResponse,
   ConfigGetValueResponse,
   ConfigSetResponse,
   ImageAttachResponse,
@@ -18,7 +17,7 @@ import type { SlashCommand } from '../types.js'
 
 export const sessionCommands: SlashCommand[] = [
   {
-    aliases: ['bg'],
+    aliases: ['bg', 'btw'],
     help: 'launch a background prompt',
     name: 'background',
     run: (arg, ctx) => {
@@ -39,23 +38,6 @@ export const sessionCommands: SlashCommand[] = [
     }
   },
 
-  {
-    help: 'by-the-way follow-up',
-    name: 'btw',
-    run: (arg, ctx) => {
-      if (!arg) {
-        return ctx.transcript.sys('/btw <question>')
-      }
-
-      ctx.gateway.rpc<BtwStartResponse>('prompt.btw', { session_id: ctx.sid, text: arg }).then(
-        ctx.guarded(() => {
-          patchUiState(state => ({ ...state, bgTasks: new Set(state.bgTasks).add('btw:x') }))
-          ctx.transcript.sys('btw running…')
-        })
-      )
-    }
-  },
-
   {
     help: 'change or show model',
     aliases: ['provider'],
diff --git a/ui-tui/src/gatewayTypes.ts b/ui-tui/src/gatewayTypes.ts
index e64d113c22..ce056040c2 100644
--- a/ui-tui/src/gatewayTypes.ts
+++ b/ui-tui/src/gatewayTypes.ts
@@ -178,10 +178,6 @@ export interface BackgroundStartResponse {
   task_id?: string
 }
 
-export interface BtwStartResponse {
-  ok?: boolean
-}
-
 export interface ClarifyRespondResponse {
   ok?: boolean
 }
@@ -403,7 +399,6 @@ export type GatewayEvent =
   | { payload: { request_id: string }; session_id?: string; type: 'sudo.request' }
   | { payload: { env_var: string; prompt: string; request_id: string }; session_id?: string; type: 'secret.request' }
   | { payload: { task_id: string; text: string }; session_id?: string; type: 'background.complete' }
-  | { payload: { text: string }; session_id?: string; type: 'btw.complete' }
   | { payload: SubagentEventPayload; session_id?: string; type: 'subagent.spawn_requested' }
   | { payload: SubagentEventPayload; session_id?: string; type: 'subagent.start' }
   | { payload: SubagentEventPayload; session_id?: string; type: 'subagent.thinking' }
diff --git a/web/src/lib/gatewayClient.ts b/web/src/lib/gatewayClient.ts
index 012482b710..fa58841ce1 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/gatewayClient.ts
+++ b/web/src/lib/gatewayClient.ts
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ export type GatewayEventName =
   | "sudo.request"
   | "secret.request"
   | "background.complete"
-  | "btw.complete"
   | "error"
   | "skin.changed"
   | (string & {});
diff --git a/website/docs/reference/slash-commands.md b/website/docs/reference/slash-commands.md
index 6e04bcd010..ed2a2ff2fc 100644
--- a/website/docs/reference/slash-commands.md
+++ b/website/docs/reference/slash-commands.md
@@ -36,8 +36,7 @@ Type `/` in the CLI to open the autocomplete menu. Built-in commands are case-in
 | `/resume [name]` | Resume a previously-named session |
 | `/status` | Show session info |
 | `/agents` (alias: `/tasks`) | Show active agents and running tasks across the current session. |
-| `/background <prompt>` (alias: `/bg`) | Run a prompt in a separate background session. The agent processes your prompt independently — your current session stays free for other work. Results appear as a panel when the task finishes. See [CLI Background Sessions](/docs/user-guide/cli#background-sessions). |
-| `/btw <question>` | Ephemeral side question using session context (no tools, not persisted). Useful for quick clarifications without affecting the conversation history. |
+| `/background <prompt>` (alias: `/bg`, `/btw`) | Run a prompt in a separate background session. The agent processes your prompt independently — your current session stays free for other work. Results appear as a panel when the task finishes. See [CLI Background Sessions](/docs/user-guide/cli#background-sessions). |
 | `/branch [name]` (alias: `/fork`) | Branch the current session (explore a different path) |
 
 ### Configuration
diff --git a/website/docs/user-guide/skills/bundled/autonomous-ai-agents/autonomous-ai-agents-hermes-agent.md b/website/docs/user-guide/skills/bundled/autonomous-ai-agents/autonomous-ai-agents-hermes-agent.md
index efd6326259..10a91f2aae 100644
--- a/website/docs/user-guide/skills/bundled/autonomous-ai-agents/autonomous-ai-agents-hermes-agent.md
+++ b/website/docs/user-guide/skills/bundled/autonomous-ai-agents/autonomous-ai-agents-hermes-agent.md
@@ -298,7 +298,6 @@ Type these during an interactive chat session.
 ### Utility
 ```
 /branch (/fork)      Branch the current session
-/btw                 Ephemeral side question (doesn't interrupt main task)
 /fast                Toggle priority/fast processing
 /browser             Open CDP browser connection
 /history             Show conversation history (CLI)