Concepts·5 min read·
The seven modes, and when to use each
One short prefix changes how Ava thinks. Code, Plan, Chat, Teach, Security, Brainstorm, Write — what each is for, and the Conductor that quietly runs a team behind them.
Ava switches mindsets to match the job. You never have to manage it — she reads intent and picks the right one — but you can steer with a short prefix. Seven modes, one mind.
The seven
- Code (>>) — build. Plans, verifies and writes, showing each change before it lands.
- Plan (::) — think it through, read-only. Architecture and approach, no edits.
- Chat (..) — a straight, friendly answer. No ceremony.
- Teach (??) — learn anything, with a real curriculum and quizzes. Always free.
- Security (!!) — a five-persona audit: OWASP, CVEs, exploitability.
- Brainstorm (**) — breadth over depth: ideas, angles, options.
- Write (<<) — author documents in your voice and house style, exportable.
The Conductor behind them
On harder work, Ava quietly runs a small team of specialists — a Scout to map the ground, an Architect to design, a Verifier and a Challenger to pressure-test, a Builder to execute. The Conductor orchestrates them and picks the best model for each step. You just describe what you want.
When to reach for which
- Exploring a change safely → Plan.
- Actually making it → Code.
- Understanding something new → Teach.
- Shipping-day nerves → Security.
- Stuck for ideas → Brainstorm.
- A doc, email or post → Write.
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