diff --git a/src/cli/App.tsx b/src/cli/App.tsx
index 54b3075..0ab649d 100644
--- a/src/cli/App.tsx
+++ b/src/cli/App.tsx
@@ -1457,9 +1457,14 @@ export default function App({
       // This ensures that after an interrupt, new messages can be sent
       userCancelledRef.current = false;
 
+      let aliasedMsg = msg;
+      if (msg === "exit") {
+        aliasedMsg = "/exit";
+      }
+
       // Handle commands (messages starting with "/")
-      if (msg.startsWith("/")) {
-        const trimmed = msg.trim();
+      if (aliasedMsg.startsWith("/")) {
+        const trimmed = aliasedMsg.trim();
 
         // Special handling for /model command - opens selector
         if (trimmed === "/model") {