Agents
Cursor Plan Mode: Review a Plan Before the Agent Codes
Plan Mode creates a detailed implementation plan before any code is written. The agent asks clarifying questions, researches your codebase, and produces a plan you can edit in chat or as a markdown file, then build when it looks right. Press Shift+Tab from the chat input to rotate into Plan Mode; Cursor also suggests it when you describe a complex task.
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What is Plan Mode in Cursor?
Plan Mode separates thinking from doing. Instead of editing files straight away, the agent investigates the task, writes a plan you can read, and waits for your go-ahead. You reach it by pressing Shift+Tab from the chat input to rotate modes, and Cursor suggests it automatically when you type keywords that signal a complex task.
Plans are saved in your home directory by default. Click "Save to workspace" to move a plan into the repo so the team can read it, reference it later, or keep it as documentation.
How does Plan Mode work, step by step?
The flow is the same each time: the agent narrows the requirements, gathers context, drafts a plan, hands it to you to edit, and only builds once you click. The steps below are Cursor's documented sequence.
- 1The agent asks clarifying questions to understand your requirements.
- 2It researches your codebase to gather the relevant context.
- 3It creates a comprehensive implementation plan.
- 4You review and edit the plan through chat or markdown files.
- 5You click to build the plan when it is ready.
When should you use Plan Mode?
Plan Mode earns its time on work where the approach is not obvious. Cursor calls out four cases where it helps most; for quick changes you have made many times, jumping straight to Agent mode is fine.
- Complex features with multiple valid approaches.
- Tasks that touch many files or systems.
- Unclear requirements where you need to explore before you understand the scope.
- Architectural decisions where you want to review the approach first.
What if the agent builds the wrong thing?
When the result misses what you wanted, Cursor recommends going back to the plan rather than patching it with follow-up prompts. Revert the changes, make the plan more specific, and run it again. This is often faster than fixing an in-progress agent and tends to produce cleaner results.
For larger changes, spend the extra time on a precise, well-scoped plan. The difficult part is usually deciding what change to make; once the instructions are right, the implementation can be handed to the agent.
How do you switch in and out of Plan Mode?
There are two ways to change modes, both documented by Cursor.
- Use the mode picker dropdown in Agent.
- Press
Shift+Tabfor quick switching.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open Plan Mode in Cursor?
Press ⇧⇥ from the chat input to rotate to Plan Mode, or pick it from the mode dropdown in Agent. Cursor also suggests Plan Mode automatically when your prompt describes a complex task.
Where are Cursor plans saved?
By default plans are saved in your home directory. Use "Save to workspace" to move a plan into your repository so it can be shared with the team and kept as reference.
Do I have to use Plan Mode for every task?
No. Cursor says it works best for complex or unclear work; for quick changes or tasks you have done many times, going straight to Agent mode is fine.
Sources & last verified
Cursor ships frequently. Facts verified against primary sources on June 26, 2026.