Guide

Understanding agent modes

Modes decide which tools the AI is given, not just what it says. Pick the mode in the chat composer. Each one includes everything in the mode before it.

At a glance

AskAgentSite EditorPlan
PurposeInspect and adviseCreate and edit contentSite-wide design and adminThink it through first
Changes the siteNeverContentContent and site-wideWrites a plan only
Who can use itAnyone with accessAnyone with accessAdministratorsUsers who can upload files
Risky actionsNot possibleAsk firstAsk firstNot possible
Editor sidebar✓✓Fullscreen onlyFullscreen only
The WingMind mode toggle with Ask selected

Ask mode

For answers, audits and recommendations. Write tools are removed from the AI’s toolbox and blocked if anything tries to call them.

  • Search and read posts, pages, products, forms and settings
  • Inspect images, templates, menus, plugins and users
  • Screenshot pages and research on the web
  • Run SEO and design audits with the built-in skills

How is the homepage built, and what would you improve?

The WingMind mode toggle with Agent selected

Agent mode

For everyday content work. Everything in Ask, plus the tools to create and change content.

  • Create, edit, schedule and publish posts, pages and custom post types
  • Edit blocks live in the editor, and fill custom fields
  • Upload and update media, terms and post meta
  • Manage WooCommerce, Gravity Forms, Yoast and Redirection
  • Update user profiles and roles (not create or delete users)

Write a new About page using the attached team bios.

The WingMind mode toggle with Site Editor selected

Site Editor mode

For changes that affect every page and every visitor. Everything in Agent, plus:

  • Headers, footers, templates and synced patterns
  • Global styles, colours, fonts, logo and favicon
  • Navigation menus, widgets, Customizer and Additional CSS
  • Plugin, theme and WordPress core updates
  • Site settings, users, llms.txt and maintenance tools

Rebuild the main menu and add a Contact button to the header.

The WingMind mode toggle with Plan selected

Plan mode

For big or unfamiliar jobs. The agent researches your site and writes a step-by-step plan as a file, and changes nothing else. To find it, open Advanced in the chat composer and the Plan button appears beside the other modes.

  • Review and edit the plan before anything runs
  • Switch to Agent mode and type /plan with the plan’s name to load it
  • The agent ticks off each step as it goes, so long jobs survive a break

Plan a refresh of all our service pages for SEO.

Good to know

Why can’t I see Site Editor mode?

It’s for administrators only, because its changes affect the whole site. Editors and authors get Ask and Agent.

Does the agent ask before risky actions?

Yes. Deleting content, switching themes, installing plugins, changing settings and similar actions show a confirmation with a plain-English summary. Some are only flagged when they matter, for example deleting a published post but not a draft.

Do modes depend on my theme?

The modes are the same, but the tools differ. Block themes get templates, template parts, global styles and block menus. Classic themes get widgets, classic menus, the Customizer and Additional CSS.

Do integration tools always appear?

Only when the plugin is active. WooCommerce, Gravity Forms, Yoast SEO and Redirection tools switch on by themselves when those plugins are installed and active.