> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.newly.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Build, Plan, Ask and Design

> Choose the mode that matches what you want the agent to do, from changing code to answering a question.

Every message you send to the agent has a mode. The mode decides whether the agent may change your project or only look at it.

## Pick a mode

The mode switch sits in the prompt box. The placeholder text changes to match the mode:

| Mode       | Placeholder            | Where it's available            |
| ---------- | ---------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| **Build**  | "Build with Newly..."  | Web app and the Mac app         |
| **Plan**   | "Plan with Newly..."   | Web app and the Mac app         |
| **Ask**    | "Ask Newly..."         | Web app and the Mac app         |
| **Design** | "Design with Newly..." | Local chats in the Mac app only |

Pick the mode before you send. You can switch for every message.

## Build

**Build** is the mode for making changes. The agent writes and edits code, installs packages, builds your app and checks that it runs in the preview.

Use **Build** when you want something to change: a new screen, a fix, a different color.

## Plan and Ask

**Plan** and **Ask** are for thinking before you change anything.

* **Ask:** questions about your app. "How does the sign-in screen work?" or "What does this error mean?"
* **Plan:** a written plan for a change. "Plan how to add a favorites list."

In Remote chats, Plan and Ask can't change files. The agent can read your project and look into problems, but it can't edit files or build the app. If your request needs changes, the agent suggests switching to **Build**.

### Turn a plan into changes

In Remote chats, **Plan** gives you a written plan. There's no approval button. When you're happy with the plan:

1. Switch the mode to **Build**.
2. Send a message such as "Build the plan you just wrote."

If you want changes to the plan first, stay in **Plan** and reply with what to change.

## Design

**Design** is available only in Local chats in the Mac app. See [Local chats on your Mac](/mac/local-chats).

## Modes and the queue

If you send messages while the agent is still working, they wait in a queue. Each queued message keeps the mode it was sent with. For example, you can queue an **Ask** question while a **Build** turn runs. See [Chatting with the agent](/build/chatting-with-the-agent#queue-more-messages).

## Credits

Every mode is charged the same way: by the work the agent does in the turn. **Ask** and **Plan** aren't discounted. A short answer uses fewer credits than a long investigation, whatever the mode. See [How credits work](/billing/how-credits-work).

<Tip>
  Use **Ask** or **Plan** to agree on an approach before a big change. It's often cheaper than building the wrong thing and undoing it. More in [Prompting tips](/build/prompting-tips).
</Tip>