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Chat Mode is a conversation-only experience. The agent answers questions, researches topics, analyzes uploaded files, and searches the web. It does not write code, execute commands, generate media, or build anything. Use Chat Mode when you need information, not artifacts.

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How to use Chat Mode

1

Click the Chat toggle

In the input bar, click the Chat button to switch to Chat Mode. The toggle is visible to the left of the model selector.
Input bar with the Chat toggle button highlighted, showing it switches from Agent to Chat mode

The Chat mode toggle in the input bar.

2

Choose a model

In Chat Mode, you select a specific model from the dropdown instead of a tier. Choose from all available models across Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, and xAI.Your model selection is saved in your browser and persists across sessions.
3

Type your message

Ask your question or describe what you want to research. Attach files if you want the agent to analyze something.

Research a topic.

Analyze an uploaded document.

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What Chat Mode can do

Chat Mode has access to web search and documentation lookup only. It cannot execute code, generate images, create files, or use any of the 14 tools available in Agent Mode.

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How Chat Mode differs from Agent Mode

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Chat Mode

  • Conversation only
  • You pick a specific model
  • Web search and file analysis
  • No sandbox, no code execution
  • No media generation
  • No file creation or editing

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Agent Mode

  • Full task execution
  • You pick a tier (Lite/Pro/Max)
  • tools and built-in skills
  • Private sandbox with code execution
  • Images, videos, audio, websites
  • Files, presentations, reports, spreadsheets

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When to use Chat Mode

  • Quick questions that do not require building anything.
  • Research and analysis where you need web search and cited sources.
  • Reviewing and summarizing uploaded documents.
  • Brainstorming and ideation before starting a project in Agent Mode.
  • Using a specific model for a conversation (instead of the tier-based selection in Agent Mode).

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What you cannot do in Chat Mode

  • You cannot generate images, videos, audio, or any media.
  • You cannot write, execute, or edit code.
  • You cannot create websites, slides, reports, or any artifacts.
  • You cannot use rollback or branching. These are Agent Mode features.
  • You cannot switch to Agent Mode mid-conversation. Start a new chat.

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Next steps

Plan Mode

Make the agent research and plan before building.

Agent Mode

Switch to Agent Mode for full task execution.