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AI coding · Workflow

Plan Mode

Also called: Planning mode, Plan first, Propose then edit

Have the AI output a change plan, file list, and risks first, and only edit code after you approve.

In detail

Plan mode is like reviewing blueprints before renovation: the AI says which files it will touch, in what steps, and what might break, and only then starts work. Tools like Cursor and Claude Code offer a similar "plan first" flow.

It helps when the scope is unclear, the blast radius is large, or you do not yet trust the AI's read of the repo. Relative to spec-driven development: a spec is your written goal and constraints; plan mode is the AI's execution draft against the current codebase. You can use both.

Plans can be wrong too. Check for missing tests, config, or related pages before approving.

Developer info
Term ID
ai-plan-mode
DOM selectors
No DOM cues. This concept isn't detected directly on a page.
Priority
1 · when several match at the same level, the higher priority wins
Version
v1 · updated Oct 5, 2026