Modes
Vesper Code has four modes. Switch during a session with Shift+Tab or /mode: commands.
- Default — active provider main model, editor agent, code review
- Max — active provider thinking model, parallel editors, code review
- Plan — active provider main model, no editor, no review
- Free — lightweight configured model, editor-lite, no review
Default
Standard mode with the active provider:
- Spawns file pickers and code searchers to gather context
- Uses the editor agent for code changes
- Spawns thinker for complex problems
- Runs code review after changes
- Validates with typechecks and tests
Switch to this mode with /mode:default.
Max
Max mode with best-of-N selection:
- Reads 12-20+ files per task
- Spawns multiple editor agents in parallel, each with a different strategy
- A selector compares outputs and picks the best one
- Spawns an additional best-of-N thinker for hard problems
- Spawns multiple reviewers with different focus areas
- Runs typechecks and tests on both the changed files and the full project
Use for complex features and refactors.
Switch to this mode with /mode:max.
Plan
Planning mode. No file writes.
- Gathers context about your codebase
- Asks clarifying questions using
ask_user - Outputs a spec/plan wrapped in
<PLAN>tags - Includes requirements, constraints, and relevant files
Use this to scope out work before implementing, or to discuss approaches without making changes.
Switch to this mode with /mode:plan.
Free
Free mode, cheaper and faster:
- Less file context gathering
- Skips code review
- No todo tracking
Good for quick fixes and simple questions.
Switch to this mode with /mode:free.