difference between CLI and dialog

When I create a new NET+OS project with Digi ESP I can enable the CLI (via telnet or serial port) and I can configure settings for the ‘dialog’ (dialog port, baud rate en delay). What’s the difference between these two?

The dialog menu is that menu that pops up for 5 seconds right after boot up and right before you hit applicationStart on the interface specified in your appconf.h file (APP_DIALOG_PORT). The CLI is a totally different interface that allows you to telnet into the module during run time or access it over the serial port after you’ve hit applicationStart.