# Plan Mode

[Docs](https://www.rightnowai.co/docs) / [RightNow Agent](https://www.rightnowai.co/docs/agent) / [Plan Mode](https://www.rightnowai.co/docs/plan-mode)

Updated 2026-10-17

> **Release status**
>
> RightNow Agent, the terminal coding agent, is paused. Its guides stay online as reference.

In an existing Agent session, plan a change and review the approach before implementation.

## Enter plan mode

**Text**

```text
/plan Design the authentication migration before changing files
```

When entering plan mode, the command starts planning the description you supplied. If plan mode is already active or pending, send the description as a normal prompt instead.

**/plan**

Turn plan mode on; it activates with your next prompt.

**/plan <description>**

When entering plan mode, start planning that description. If already active or pending, send the description as a normal prompt instead.

**Shift+Tab**

With the prompt focused, cycle Normal, Plan, Auto, and Always-approve. Skip Auto when disabled and Always-approve when blocked by policy.

**enter\_plan\_mode**

The agent calls it to start planning without a separate approval under the default permission rules. Review and approve the completed plan before implementation.

The status flag shows `plan` while plan mode is active. The `--no-plan` flag is accepted, but `/plan` and Shift+Tab remain available. Agent profiles that include the default tool set still offer `enter_plan_mode`.

## What plan mode blocks

Reads and searches run as usual. Edit tools may change only the session's `plan.md`; attempts to edit other files are rejected even when always-approve is armed.

> **Warning: Plan mode is not a general sandbox**
>
> The edit gate does not inspect shell commands, so shell redirection can still write files, and under always-approve those commands run without asking. Each subagent has its own plan-mode state: a write-capable subagent can edit files unless its own tools or permissions prevent it.

## The plan file

The plan is `<RIGHTNOW_HOME>/sessions/<encoded-cwd>/<session-id>/plan.md`, where the working directory is encoded rather than copied. Here, `<RIGHTNOW_HOME>` means the effective product home; see [Configuration](https://www.rightnowai.co/docs/configuration).

A useful plan gives the context for the change, the recommended approach, the critical files and utilities to reuse, and end-to-end verification steps.

Run `/view-plan`, `/show-plan`, or `/plan-view` to reopen the saved preview.

## Review and approve

When planning finishes, `exit_plan_mode` opens `plan.md` from disk in a scrollable preview. Excerpt at full width with no pending comments; the plan body varies with your task:

**Text**

```text
/plan
```

Plan review text regions, excerpt:

**rightnow: review a plan**

```text
✓ Plan mode: on
plan.md
Waiting on plan approval
a approve  |  s request changes  |  c comment  |  y copy plan  |  q quit plan
```

**Review a plan before implementation**

```text
/plan <description>
        |
        v
write plan.md <===================.
        |                        |
        v                        |
exit_plan_mode                   |
        |                        |
        v                        |
review saved plan                |
        |                        |
        | s: send feedback ======'
        |
        | a: approve => implement
        |
        ' q: quit => plan mode off
```

When entering plan mode, /plan &lt;description&gt; starts the planning turn. If plan mode is already active or pending, send the description as a normal prompt instead. The agent writes the plan to the session's plan.md. When it calls exit\_plan\_mode, the client reads and presents the saved plan. Press s, enter revision notes and send them to request changes. The agent revises the plan while plan mode remains active. Press a to approve and begin implementation. Pending inline comments accompany that approval. Press q to abandon the plan and turn plan mode off. An empty or missing plan still opens the approval surface with an empty state. The same approve, request changes and quit choices remain available.

**a**

Approve and start implementation, including pending comments (the label then reads `approve w/ comments`).

**s**

Request changes: type revision notes in the prompt, then press `Enter`.

**c**

Comment on the selected line or range.

**y**

Copy the complete plan.

**q**

Abandon the plan and turn plan mode off.

**Tab**

Move focus between the preview and the prompt.

**Esc**

Return focus from the prompt to the preview.

Feedback sends the agent back to planning, and plan mode stays on. If the plan file is empty or missing, the approval view still offers approve, request changes, and quit.

## Related guides

If planning fails to start or the preview does not open, run `rightnow doctor` and use the [Troubleshooting guide](https://www.rightnowai.co/docs/troubleshooting).

## Next step

Review the tool approval rules in [Permissions and Safety](https://www.rightnowai.co/docs/permissions) before approving implementation.

## Previous

[Sessions](https://www.rightnowai.co/docs/sessions)

## Next

[Subagents and Background Tasks](https://www.rightnowai.co/docs/subagents)