Classic vs Guided Mode

CommandUI has two product modes that change the UI’s behavior. Switch between them in settings (Ctrl+,).

Classic mode

The terminal dominates. The plan panel is collapsed when no plan is active. Chrome is minimal.

Best for:

• Users who primarily use Command mode
• Experienced terminal users who occasionally use semantic requests
• Anyone who finds the plan panel distracting when idle

Behavior:

• Plan panel appears only when a semantic request generates a plan
• Plan panel hides after approval or rejection
• Maximum terminal real estate

Guided mode

The plan panel is always visible on the right side. When no plan is active, it shows “No semantic plan yet.”

Best for:

• Users learning the semantic workflow
• Anyone who uses Ask mode frequently
• First-time users exploring what CommandUI can do

Behavior:

• Plan panel is always rendered (right column always visible)
• Empty state text when no plan is loaded
• Provides continuous visual reminder that the semantic path exists

What does NOT change between modes

Both modes have identical:

• Command execution behavior
• Risk confirmation rules
• History recording
• Memory detection
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Workflow management

The mode affects layout only, never behavior.