Operating Modes NikCLI features three distinct operating modes, each optimized for different development workflows. Switch between modes using Shift+Tab or specific commands.
🔄 Mode Switching Quick Switch # Switch modes with Shift+Tab Shift+Tab # Cycle through modes # Or use specific commands /default # Switch to Default Chat Mode /plan # Switch to Planning Mode /auto # Switch to Auto Mode Current Mode Indicator The current mode is displayed in the CLI interface:
[💬 Default] nikcli> [📋 Planning] nikcli> [🤖 Auto] nikcli> 💬 Default Chat Mode Interactive conversation with manual confirmation The Default Chat Mode provides full transparency and control over all operations.
Characteristics
Manual Confirmation Every operation requires explicit user approval
Step-by-Step Guidance Detailed explanations for each action
Full Transparency Complete visibility into what’s happening
Learning Friendly Perfect for understanding how NikCLI works
Example Workflow # Switch to default mode /default # Create a file (with confirmation) /write src/components/Button.tsx # → Shows preview # → Asks: "Create this file? (y/n)" # → Explains what will be created # Run a command (with confirmation) /run npm install react # → Shows command # → Asks: "Execute this command? (y/n)" # → Explains what will happen # Use agent (with step-by-step guidance) /agent universal-agent "Create a React component" # → Shows plan # → Asks for approval at each step # → Explains each action Best Use Cases
Learning NikCLI - Understand how each command worksSensitive Operations - When you need full controlDebugging - Step through complex operationsNew Users - Safe introduction to NikCLI
📋 Planning Mode Strategic planning with comprehensive execution plans Planning Mode creates detailed execution plans and manages complex project workflows.
Characteristics
Strategic Planning Creates comprehensive execution plans
Todo Management Generates and manages todo.md files
Approval Workflows Structured approval process for complex tasks
Project Tracking Progress monitoring and milestone tracking
Planning Workflow # Switch to planning mode /plan # Create a project plan /plan "Build a complete e-commerce platform with React frontend, Node.js backend, and PostgreSQL database" # NikCLI creates a detailed plan: # Phase 1: Project Setup (2 hours) # - Initialize project structure # - Set up development environment # - Configure build tools # Phase 2: Backend Development (8 hours) # - Create Express.js API # - Set up PostgreSQL database # - Implement authentication # Phase 3: Frontend Development (6 hours) # - Create React application # - Implement UI components # - Connect to backend API # Phase 4: Testing & Deployment (4 hours) # - Write comprehensive tests # - Set up CI/CD pipeline # - Deploy to production # View the plan /todo # Execute the plan /execute-plan # Check progress /progress Todo Management # View current todos /todo # Add a todo item /todo "Set up database schema" # Mark todo as complete /todo --complete "database-schema" # Update todo priority /todo --priority high "authentication-system" # Add todo with details /todo "Create user authentication" --description "Implement JWT-based authentication with bcrypt password hashing" --estimated-time "4 hours" Approval System # Request approval for sensitive operations /approval "Delete all test files" # View pending approvals /approval --list # Approve specific request /approval --approve approval-id # Reject with reason /approval --reject approval-id "Files are still needed" Best Use Cases
Complex Projects - Multi-phase developmentTeam Collaboration - Shared planning and trackingRisk Management - Controlled execution of sensitive operationsProject Management - Milestone tracking and progress monitoring
🤖 Auto Mode Autonomous execution with minimal user intervention Auto Mode enables fully autonomous task execution with intelligent decision-making.
Characteristics
Autonomous Execution Executes tasks without constant user input
Intelligent Decision Making Makes smart choices based on context
Streamlined Workflows Optimized for speed and efficiency
Minimal Intervention Only asks for input when absolutely necessary
Autonomous Workflow # Switch to auto mode /auto # Execute complex task autonomously /auto "Create a complete React authentication system with TypeScript, Jest tests, and Storybook documentation" # NikCLI will: # 1. Analyze requirements automatically # 2. Create project structure # 3. Implement authentication logic # 4. Add comprehensive tests # 5. Generate documentation # 6. Report completion # Only asks for input when: # - API keys are missing # - Conflicting files exist # - Critical decisions need user input Parallel Execution # Enable parallel execution /parallel --enable # Execute multiple tasks simultaneously /parallel "Create user authentication system" "Set up database schema" "Build admin dashboard" # NikCLI will: # - Analyze task dependencies # - Execute independent tasks in parallel # - Coordinate dependent tasks # - Report progress for all tasks Smart Decision Making # Auto mode makes intelligent decisions: /auto "Optimize this React application for performance" # Decisions made automatically: # - Identifies performance bottlenecks # - Chooses optimal optimization strategies # - Implements code splitting # - Adds lazy loading # - Optimizes bundle size # - Updates configuration Best Use Cases
Rapid Prototyping - Quick iteration and testingRoutine Tasks - Repetitive development workExperienced Users - When you trust NikCLI’s decisionsTime-Critical Projects - When speed is essential
🔧 Mode Configuration Default Mode Settings # Configure confirmation behavior /default --confirm-always /default --confirm-sensitive-only /default --confirm-never # Set verbosity level /default --verbose /default --concise # Enable step-by-step mode /default --step-by-step Planning Mode Settings # Configure planning behavior /plan --auto-approve-low-risk /plan --require-approval-all /plan --estimate-time /plan --track-progress # Set approval timeout /plan --approval-timeout 300 # Configure todo management /plan --todo-format markdown /plan --todo-priority high Auto Mode Settings # Configure autonomy level /auto --full-autonomy /auto --semi-autonomy /auto --guided-autonomy # Set decision confidence threshold /auto --confidence-threshold 0.8 # Configure parallel execution /auto --max-parallel 3 /auto --parallel-timeout 300 📊 Mode Comparison
Default Chat Control Level: High
Speed: Medium
Learning: High
Use Case: Learning, Debugging
Planning Control Level: Medium
Speed: Medium
Learning: Medium
Use Case: Complex Projects
Auto Control Level: Low
Speed: High
Learning: Low
Use Case: Rapid Development
🎯 Mode Selection Guide Choose Default Chat When:
You’re new to NikCLI
Working on sensitive operations
Need to understand what’s happening
Debugging complex issues
Learning new features
Choose Planning When:
Working on large, complex projects
Need structured project management
Collaborating with a team
Managing multiple phases
Require approval workflows
Choose Auto When:
You’re experienced with NikCLI
Working on routine tasks
Need maximum speed
Trust the AI’s decisions
Prototyping quickly
🔄 Mode Transitions Switching Between Modes # From any mode to Default /default # From any mode to Planning /plan # From any mode to Auto /auto # Check current mode /mode # Get mode help /mode --help Preserving State When switching modes, NikCLI preserves:
Current project context
Agent configurations
API keys and settings
Session history
Active todos and plans
Mode-Specific Commands Some commands are mode-specific:
# Planning mode only /todo /plan /approval /progress # Auto mode only /parallel /auto-execute /confidence-threshold # All modes /help /config /agents 🚀 Advanced Mode Features Hybrid Mode Combine modes for complex workflows:
# Start in planning mode /plan "Build authentication system" # Switch to auto for execution /auto --execute-plan # Switch to default for review /default --review-changes Mode-Specific Agent Behavior # Configure agent for specific mode /agent-config universal-agent --mode default --style guided /agent-config universal-agent --mode planning --style strategic /agent-config universal-agent --mode auto --style autonomous Custom Mode Workflows # Create custom mode workflow /workflow create "review-workflow" { "mode" : "default", "steps" : [ "analyze-code" , "show-changes" , "request-approval" , "apply-changes" ] } # Execute custom workflow /workflow execute "review-workflow" 🎯 Best Practices 1. Start with Default Mode Begin with Default Chat Mode to understand NikCLI’s capabilities:
/default /agent universal-agent "Create a simple component" # Learn how the agent works # Understand the process # Build confidence 2. Use Planning for Complex Projects For large projects, use Planning Mode:
/plan "Build complete application" # Create detailed plan # Break down into phases # Track progress # Manage approvals 3. Switch to Auto for Efficiency Once comfortable, use Auto Mode for speed:
/auto "Create similar component" # Execute quickly # Trust the AI # Focus on results 4. Combine Modes Strategically Use different modes for different phases:
# Planning phase /plan "Design system architecture" # Development phase /auto "Implement core features" # Review phase /default "Review and test implementation" 🚀 Next Steps Pro Tip: Use Shift+Tab to quickly cycle through modes during development. This allows you to adapt your workflow to the current task requirements.
