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For the complete documentation index, see llms.txt. This page is also available as Markdown.

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:

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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, 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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