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:
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.
Execution: Approve & Run
Plan Mode itself is read-only. To bring the plan to life:
Review & Edit: Finalize the Markdown plan in your editor.
Approve: Click the [Approve & Run] button in the Side Chat.
Transition: The session automatically transitions to Agent Mode, where the AI uses the finalized plan as its instruction set to perform the actual implementation.
Plan Mode is read-only — the AI cannot modify files, create files, or execute terminal commands.
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