Modes

Cora operates in five modes. Each one is optimized for a different kind of task understanding, planning, building, or reviewing. You select the mode before sending a message, or let Auto decide for

Selecting the right mode matters. Ask mode never modifies files. Review mode never writes new code. Using the wrong mode for a task won't break anything, but it produces worse output than using the right one.

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The five modes

Mode	What it does
Auto	Orchestrates the other modes picks and sequences them based on the task
Plan	Produces architecture documents, stack decisions, and task breakdowns
Ask	Answers questions about the codebase and explains how things work
Code	Writes, modifies, and refactors code
Review	Audits changes for correctness, security, and consistency

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Choosing a mode

Auto is the right default for most tasks. Use a specific mode when you know exactly what kind of output you want a read-only explanation, a plan with no code yet, or a targeted review of a specific file.

Use Plan when you're starting something large and want to review the approach before any files are touched. Use Ask when you want to understand something without risking any changes. Use Code when you have a clear, scoped task and want direct execution. Use Review after any change to a security-sensitive area.