Cline Plan Mode: Think First. Act with Confidence.
Cline's Plan mode analyzes your repo with no file changes. Switch to Act to implement safely. Full workflow guide & tips.
Plan → Act Workflow
Plan Mode
Review & Approve
Act Mode
How Plan Mode Works
Plan mode is Cline's analytical phase where it reads your codebase extensively but makes zero file modifications. This separation is crucial for maintaining control over your development process.
Deep Codebase Analysis
Analyzes existing patterns, architecture decisions, and coding conventions to ensure the proposed solution fits seamlessly into your current codebase structure.
Strategic Planning
Creates detailed implementation strategies including file modifications, new components needed, and integration points with existing code.
Research Phase
Identifies dependencies, potential conflicts, and edge cases that need to be addressed during implementation without making any changes.
Safe Strategy First
Ensures you can review and approve the complete implementation strategy before any files are modified, preventing costly mistakes.
Switching to Act Mode
Once you've reviewed and approved the plan, explicitly tell Cline to switch to Act mode. This transition signals that you're ready for implementation and file modifications to begin.
Example Transition Commands
"Great plan! Please switch to Act mode and implement this.""I approve this strategy. Begin implementation in Act mode.""Execute the plan - switch to Act mode and make the changes."Best Practices: Loop Plan ↔ Act for Complex Tasks
For complex features, don't try to plan everything upfront. Instead, use iterative Plan ↔ Act cycles to build incrementally with confidence at each step.
Iterative Development
Break large features into smaller, manageable pieces. Plan one piece, implement it, then plan the next.
Plan Refinement
If a plan doesn't feel right, stay in Plan mode and iterate. It's much cheaper to refine strategy than fix implementation.
Scope Control
Keep each Plan-Act cycle focused on a single, well-defined outcome. This prevents scope creep and maintains predictable results throughout your development process.
Vibe Manager + Cline Integration
Vibe Manager supercharges Cline's Plan mode with multi-model planning andintelligent context curation. Get different AI perspectives on the same plan and ensure Cline has the most relevant codebase context for accurate planning.
Multi-Model Planning
Run the same planning request through different AI models to get diverse perspectives and identify potential blind spots in your implementation strategy.
- • Claude 3.5 Sonnet for detailed analysis
- • GPT-4 for alternative approaches
- • Compare and synthesize insights
Intelligent Context Curation
Automatically identify and include the most relevant files, patterns, and dependencies for Cline's planning phase, ensuring comprehensive analysis.
- • Auto-detect related components
- • Include relevant test files
- • Surface architectural patterns
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Plan and Act modes in Cline?
Plan mode analyzes your codebase and creates implementation strategies without making any file changes. Act mode executes the agreed-upon plan by writing, editing, and modifying files. This separation ensures you can review and approve strategies before implementation.
How do I switch from Plan to Act mode in Cline?
After reviewing a plan in Plan mode, you can switch to Act mode by explicitly telling Cline to "implement the plan" or "switch to Act mode". Cline will then begin executing the approved strategy with file modifications.
Can I use Plan mode multiple times before implementing?
Yes! You can iterate through multiple Plan cycles to refine your approach. This is especially useful for complex features where you want to explore different architectural approaches before committing to implementation.
How does Vibe Manager enhance Cline's Plan mode?
Vibe Manager adds multi-model planning capabilities, allowing you to get different AI perspectives on the same plan. It also provides intelligent context curation to ensure Cline has the most relevant codebase information for accurate planning.
Should I always use Plan mode before Act mode?
For any non-trivial changes, yes. Plan mode prevents costly mistakes and ensures you understand the full scope of changes before implementation. For simple, single-file changes, you might skip directly to Act mode, but planning first is generally the safer approach.
Can I go back to Plan mode after starting Act mode?
Yes! If you encounter unexpected complexity during implementation, you can pause Act mode and return to Plan mode to reassess the strategy. This flexibility is part of what makes the Plan ↔ Act workflow so powerful for complex development tasks.