Modes#

#Built-in

MiMo Code comes with three built-in modes (primary agents), each with a distinct role:

• build — default primary agent with full tool access for general development work.
• plan — restricted primary agent for read-only analysis and planning.
• compose — primary agent that orchestrates work through built-in skills.

There are also general / explore — subagents invoked by primary agents for delegated tasks.

compose is a verb form, matching the build/plan/explore naming convention. It does not replace build; it complements it by adding a workflow-aware mode where the model is encouraged to think in terms of named, reusable skills rather than ad-hoc procedures.

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#Build

Build is the default mode with all tools enabled. This is the standard mode for development work where you need full access to file operations and system commands.

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#Plan

A restricted mode designed for planning and analysis. In plan mode, the following tools are disabled by default:

• write - Cannot create new files
• edit - Cannot modify existing files, except for files located at .mimocode/plans/*.md to detail the plan itself
• patch - Cannot apply patches
• bash - Cannot execute shell commands

This mode is useful when you want the AI to analyze code, suggest changes, or create plans without making any actual modifications to your codebase.

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#Compose

Compose is a primary agent in MiMo Code that orchestrates task execution through a curated set of built-in skills. Instead of relying on a single monolithic prompt, Compose consults a library of 13 focused skills—covering testing, debugging, planning, collaboration, and meta-development—and selects the right skill for each step of your workflow.

#Overview

Compose was inspired by the open-source superpowers workflow and ported into MiMo Code as a first-class primary agent. Like build and plan, Compose handles your main conversation and can be selected with the Tab key. What sets it apart is the bundled skill library: every skill ships with the binary, is loaded at runtime under the compose: namespace, and is available only when the Compose agent is active.

#Enable Compose mode

Compose is registered as a built-in primary agent under the name compose. To activate it:

1. Press Tab (or your configured switch_agent keybind) to cycle through primary agents until Compose is selected.
2. Or invoke it with @compose in a message.

No additional configuration is required. The skill bundle is extracted to {data}/compose/{version}/ on first use and kept up to date across MiMo Code releases.

#Built-in skills

Compose ships with 13 skills, grouped by category. They are referenced from the model side via the compose:<short-name> namespace.

#Testing

Skill	Purpose
compose:tdd	Test-driven development workflow

#Debugging

Skill	Purpose
compose:debug	Systematic debugging methodology
compose:verify	Verification before completion

#Collaboration

Skill	Purpose
compose:brainstorm	Brainstorming with the user
compose:plan	Writing implementation plans
compose:execute	Executing an approved plan
compose:parallel	Dispatching parallel agents
compose:review	Requesting a code review
compose:feedback	Receiving and applying review feedback
compose:worktree	Working in a git worktree
compose:merge	Finishing a development branch
compose:subagent	Subagent-driven development

#Meta

Skill	Purpose
compose:new-skill	Authoring a new skill

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#Switching

You can switch between modes during a session using the Tab key. Or your configured switch_mode keybind.

See also: Formatters for information about code formatting configuration.