AI Modes | Omnilib Docs

Omnilib's AI operates in three distinct modes. Each mode gives the AI a different level of autonomy and is suited to different kinds of work. Switch between them using the dropdown in the chat input area.

Chat Mode

In Chat mode, the AI converses with you without using any tools. It reads the context you provide — files you mention with @, attachments, and project memory — but it does not independently read files, run commands, or make changes.

Use Chat mode when:

You want a quick explanation or answer
You are brainstorming or exploring ideas
You want to review a piece of text or code without the AI modifying anything
You need a fast response without the overhead of tool execution

Chat mode is the fastest mode because the AI responds directly without orchestrating tool calls.

Agent Mode

In Agent mode, the AI has full access to a set of tools and can use them autonomously to complete tasks. It reads files, writes and edits code, runs shell commands, searches your project semantically, and more.

Use Agent mode when:

You want the AI to implement a feature or fix a bug end to end
You need the AI to search across multiple files to find something
You want the AI to run a build or test command and react to the output
You are delegating a task that requires several interdependent steps

Tool Execution Badges

Every tool call the AI makes appears as a badge in the chat timeline. Each badge shows the tool name, status, and an expand option to view the result or diff. For file modifications, you can accept or reject each change individually.

Approval for Destructive Actions

Agent mode requires your approval before executing actions that are difficult to reverse:

Deleting files
Running shell commands that modify system state
Writing to files outside the project directory

The AI presents a confirmation prompt with a description of what it will do. You can approve, reject, or ask the AI to take a different approach.

Available Tools

Tool	What the AI can do
File read	Read any file in the project
File write	Create new files
File edit	Make targeted edits to existing files
Bash execute	Run shell commands in the project terminal
Vector search	Find relevant files using semantic similarity
LaTeX compile	Compile `.tex` files and return errors or PDF output
Graph operations	Query and update the project knowledge graph
Bibliography	Search, import, and cite references
Memory	Query and update project memory
Notebook	Execute notebook cells and read output
Tags	Add, remove, and query file tags
Comments	Read and post inline comments on files

Plan Mode

In Plan mode, the AI first generates a detailed implementation plan and presents it to you for review. Only after you approve the plan does the AI begin executing it, step by step.

Use Plan mode when:

The task involves changes across many files
You want to understand and influence the approach before any code is written
You are working in a sensitive codebase where unexpected changes would be disruptive
You want a structured, reviewable audit trail for a complex task

How Plan Mode Works

Describe your task in the chat input
The AI analyzes the project and produces a numbered implementation plan
Review the plan — you can edit it, ask the AI to revise specific steps, or remove steps you do not want
Click Execute Plan to begin
The AI executes each step in sequence, showing tool execution badges for every action
If any step fails or produces unexpected output, the AI reports back before continuing

Plan mode uses the same tools as Agent mode, but it commits to an approach first rather than deciding step by step.

Switching Modes

Open the mode dropdown in the chat input area and select Chat, Agent, or Plan. Your selection persists for the current session. You can switch modes mid-conversation — the chat history is preserved, and the new mode applies from your next message.

AI Chat — Full chat interface reference
Sub-agents — Parallel agents spawned during complex tasks
Agent Behaviors — Configure how the AI approaches tasks
Models — Choose which AI model powers each mode