Design of Agents window Mode picker button

Ideas Feedback
1

Having done most of my development via the IDE window, where the Mode selector is very clear in the prompt dialog, I find the “+” button in the Agents window prompt dialog to be quite a poor design in comparison.

In the IDE window the Mode selector is present as soon as the prompt window opens, showing with an icon, wording and colour which mode is selected. It also includes a dropdown arrow which shows the mode can be changed. A really clear design, I feel.

In the Agents window there is no mode indicator to start off with, and only the “+” button. It’s not at all obvious what the “+” button is for (unless you mouse over it). To me “+” means add another item, eg open another tab in a browser. It’s also not obvious what mode is initially selected, unless you read the docs, because there’s no visual indicator on screen (until you select a different mode). Compared to the IDE window this design feels poor.

(BTW, I’m aware the “+” button does more than just pick the mode. I still feel its functionality is obscure and that it’s a poor design)

6

Hi Simon,

Thanks for laying out the comparison with the IDE prompt.

As you mentioned, the + covers more than modes. Plan, Debug, Multitask, and Ask are at the top of that menu, and typing / in the prompt lists them as well.

When no mode chip is showing, you’re in Agent, which is the default. If you pick another mode, it shows up next to the + as a colored chip with its icon and name, and closing the chip takes you back to Agent.