Cursor Plan Mode: Review AI Plans Before Code Execution

Use Cursor Plan Mode to create detailed implementation plans before writing code. Review, modify, and approve AI-generated plans for complex tasks.

Cursor Plan Mode creates detailed implementation plans before writing any code, giving you full control over complex changes.

Activating Plan Mode

• Press Shift+Tab in the agent input to toggle Plan Mode
• Or select Plan Mode from the mode dropdown

How It Works

1. You describe your desired change or feature
2. Agent researches your codebase thoroughly
3. May ask clarifying questions about requirements
4. Generates a reviewable step-by-step implementation plan
5. You review each step and provide feedback
6. Approve the plan, and Agent executes it

When to Use Plan Mode

• Complex refactoring spanning many files
• Implementing new features with architectural decisions
• Migrating between frameworks or libraries
• Any task where you want to understand the approach first
• When teaching the AI about your project's conventions

Best Practices

• Provide clear context about your goals and constraints
• Specify requirements upfront (performance, compatibility, etc.)
• Review each plan step carefully
• Ask follow-up questions if any step is unclear
• Combine Plan Mode with Git commits for safe iterative development

Plan Mode + Agent Mode Workflow

1. Start in Plan Mode for complex tasks
2. Review and approve the plan
3. Let Agent Mode execute the approved plan
4. Review changes at each checkpoint
5. Iterate if needed with additional planning