> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.arkain.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.arkain.io/user-guide/workspace/side-chat-workspace/plan-mode.md).

# Plan Mode

**Plan Mode** transforms Side Chat into a collaborative planning partner. Instead of making changes directly, the AI analyzes your codebase and works with you through interactive questions to build a clear action plan — before any code is touched.

***

### **When to Use Plan Mode**

Plan Mode is ideal for complex tasks where architectural decisions or multiple implementation paths exist. Use it when:

* **Designing New Features:** Mapping out file structures and logic flows from scratch.
* **Complex Refactoring:** Identifying dependencies and risks across multiple files.
* **Strategic Alignment:** Ensuring the AI's intended approach matches your project's standards before execution.

### **How Plan Mode Works**

Once you describe what you want to accomplish, the AI follows a collaborative workflow:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Code Exploration

The AI searches and reads your project files to understand the current architecture and relevant logic, similar to the initial stage of Agent Mode.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Interactive Discovery (Question Cards)

When requirements are ambiguous or multiple paths are possible, the AI will not guess. Instead, it presents **Interactive Question Cards**:

* **Choice Buttons:** Select from predefined options to quickly guide the AI.
* **Free Input:** Provide custom text instructions to refine the requirement.
* **Dynamic Updates:** Once you respond, the card updates to show your answer, and the AI proceeds with the new context.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Action Plan Generation (.md)

The AI generates a structured **Action Plan** in Markdown format that opens directly in your editor. This plan is **fully editable**, allowing you to manually refine steps or implementation details. Your edits serve as the final source of truth for the execution phase.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Execution: Approve & Run

Plan Mode itself is **read-only**. To bring the plan to life:

1. **Review & Edit:** Finalize the Markdown plan in your editor.
2. **Approve:** Click the **\[Approve & Run]** button in the Side Chat.
3. **Transition:** The session automatically transitions to [**Agent Mode**](/user-guide/workspace/side-chat-workspace/agent-mode.md), where the AI uses the finalized plan as its instruction set to perform the actual implementation.
   {% endstep %}
   {% endstepper %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Plan Mode** is read-only — the AI cannot modify files, create files, or execute terminal commands.
{% endhint %}

***


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.arkain.io/user-guide/workspace/side-chat-workspace/plan-mode.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.