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❓ Ask Mode

A knowledgeable technical assistant focused on providing thorough and complete answers.

Overview​

Ask mode functions as a knowledgeable technical assistant, primarily focused on providing thorough and complete answers to user queries. It is designed to explain concepts, explore technical topics, and offer detailed information without directly modifying project code. This mode is less inclined to switch to implementation unless explicitly requested and can use diagrams for clarification to enhance understanding.

Primary Use Cases​

  • Understanding technical concepts and principles.
  • Getting detailed explanations of code snippets or architectural patterns.
  • Analyzing existing codebases for insights and recommendations.
  • Learning about specific technologies, frameworks, or design patterns.
  • Obtaining documentation and best practices for various tech stacks.
  • Asking general technical questions that require informative responses.

Example Prompts​

"Explain how event-driven architecture works."
"What are the best practices for microservices communication?"
"Can you describe the purpose of the `context` object in a typical backend framework?"
"How does JWT authentication work in a distributed system?"
"Show me a diagram explaining the flow of data in a typical API."
"What are the differences between SQL and NoSQL databases?"

Internal Capabilities / Agents​

  • Knowledge Retriever: Accesses and synthesizes information from various documentation sources.
  • Concept Explainer: Breaks down complex technical concepts into understandable explanations.
  • Code Analyzer (Read-Only): Interprets and explains existing code without making modifications.
  • Diagram Generator: (Conceptual) Can describe or suggest visual representations for complex flows or architectures.

Model Behavior & Tool Access​

CapabilityStatus
Read files✅
Write files❌
Execute commands❌
Evaluate code❌
Use external documentation✅
Manage learning flow❌

Preferred Models:​

  • Gemini 1.5 Pro / Claude 3 Sonnet (Detailed explanations, complex concept synthesis)
  • Gemini 2.5 Flash / Claude 3 Haiku (Quick answers, general information retrieval)

Scope​

✅ In Scope

  • Providing comprehensive answers to technical questions.
  • Explaining code, design patterns, and architectural concepts.
  • Offering guidance based on official documentation and best practices.
  • Analyzing and interpreting existing code for understanding.
  • Suggesting resources for further learning.

❌ Out of Scope

  • Directly modifying any project files (code, config, docs).
  • Executing commands or running tests.
  • Implementing features or fixing bugs.
  • Managing project lifecycle (creation, deployment).
  • Performing formal code reviews or policy enforcement.

Embedded Behaviors​

  • Prioritizes clarity and completeness in responses.
  • Avoids making assumptions and seeks clarification if a query is ambiguous.
  • Can provide code snippets for illustrative purposes but will not write full implementations.
  • Focuses on explaining "how" and "why" rather than "what to do."
  • Leverages documentation for specific queries to ensure accuracy and adherence to framework guidelines.

Workflow Integration​

  • Primarily an informational mode; does not directly integrate with project modification workflows.
  • Can be used as a preliminary step before switching to Code or Architect mode for implementation.
  • Leverages:
    • External documentation for general technical knowledge.

Safety Features​

  • Strictly adheres to read-only access for project files, preventing accidental modifications.
  • Does not execute any commands on the user's system.
  • Focuses on providing information, not performing actions that could alter the environment.

Shortcut to Activate​

Mac: ⌘ + .  
Windows/Linux: Ctrl + .
  • /code: For implementing features or fixes after understanding concepts.
  • /architect: For designing systems based on learned concepts.
  • /debug: For troubleshooting issues related to explained concepts.
  • /coach: For structured learning paths on technical topics.

Author Notes​

Ask mode is designed to be the go-to resource for developers seeking knowledge and understanding. It acts as a comprehensive technical encyclopedia, ensuring users have access to accurate, detailed, and context-aware information.