Plan vs Build Mode

Choose the right mode for the task in front of you.

The workspace prompt box has two modes:

• Build Mode generates your app.

• Plan Mode lets you discuss its logic first.

This guide shows when to use each mode and how to switch.

Prerequisites

You need access to a Qore workspace. Open the Dashboard or App Builder.

Mode overview

The mode control sits inside the prompt box, at the bottom-right, labeled Build with a ⚡ icon and a chevron.

The mode control (⚡ Build ⌄) sits at the bottom-right of the prompt box

You never have to turn Build Mode on — it is the default. Plan Mode is the mode you opt into when you want to align before building.

The two options, as shown in the dropdown:

• Build Mode — Turn your idea into an app. AI plans, builds, and iterates as you refine it.

• Plan Mode — Discuss ideas and define the app before starting the build.

When to use which

Use Plan Mode when you want to map a workflow (loan eligibility, KYC), review the approach, or align with stakeholders before code is written.

Use Build Mode when you want to generate a working app from a prompt and iterate on it live.

Steps: switching modes

1

Open the mode control

In the prompt box, click the ⚡ Build ⌄ control at the bottom-right. A menu opens with Build Mode and Plan Mode.

2

Select Plan Mode

Choose Plan Mode, then send a prompt. The workspace returns a plan to review and refine instead of building.

The mode dropdown, showing Build Mode and Plan Mode

3

Switch back to Build Mode to execute

When the plan looks right, reopen the control and select Build Mode, then prompt to build.

Verify

In Plan Mode, prompts return a reviewable plan (no code runs).

In Build Mode, prompts start building.

Common issues

• My prompt built the app when I only wanted to plan. You were in Build Mode — switch to Plan Mode before prompting.

• I selected Plan Mode but nothing is building. That's expected; switch back to Build Mode to generate.

• I can't find a mode toggle in the header. The control is inside the prompt box (bottom-right), not the top header.

Other prompt box controls

The prompt box includes these additional controls:

• + menu — attach files or import an app package.

• Branding, target, and model controls — configure the app before building.

• App and Agent tabs — choose what you create.

Related pages

Read Get Started for first-time setup.

Read Build for app-generation details.

Next step, create an app.