Modes

Choose the right mode for your task - from autonomous coding to focused edits

Agent offers different modes optimized for specific tasks. Each mode has different capabilities and tools enabled to match your workflow needs.

Mode	For	Capabilities	Tools
Agent	Complex features, refactoring	Autonomous exploration, multi-file edits	All tools enabled
Ask	Learning, planning, questions	Read-only exploration, no automatic changes	Search tools only
Manual	Precise, targeted edits	Direct file editing with explicit control	Edit tools only
Custom	Specialized workflows	User-defined capabilities	Configurable

Agent

The default mode for complex coding tasks. Agent autonomously explores your codebase, edits multiple files, runs commands, and fixes errors to complete your requests.

Ask

Read-only mode for learning and exploration. Ask searches your codebase and provides answers without making any changes - perfect for understanding code before modifying it.

Manual

Direct editing mode for precise control. Manual only edits the files you explicitly select - no searching, no commands, just focused changes where you need them.

Manual mode works best when you know exactly what to edit. Select the right files and give clear instructions.

Custom

Create your own modes with specific tool combinations and instructions. Mix and match capabilities to fit your workflow.

Custom modes are in beta. Enable them in Cursor Settings → Chat → Custom Modes

Examples

Learn

Tools: All Search
Instructions: Focus on explaining concepts thoroughly and ask clarifying questions

Refactor

Tools: Edit & Reapply
Instructions: Improve code structure without adding new functionality

Plan

Tools: Codebase, Read file, Terminal
Instructions: Create detailed implementation plans in plan.md

Debug

Tools: All Search, Terminal, Edit & Reapply
Instructions: Investigate issues thoroughly before proposing fixes

Switching modes

• Use the mode picker dropdown in Agent
• Press Ctrl+. for quick switching
• Set keyboard shortcuts in settings

Settings

All modes share common configuration options:

Setting	Description
Model	Choose which AI model to use
Keyboard shortcuts	Set shortcuts to switch between modes

Mode-specific settings:

Mode	Settings	Description
Agent	Auto-run and Auto-fix Errors	Automatically run commands and fix errors
Ask	Search Codebase	Automatically find relevant files
Custom	Tool selection & Instructions	Configure tools and custom prompts