[FEATURE] Chat only toggle in Code session
Preflight Checklist
- [x] I have searched existing requests and this feature hasn't been requested yet
- [x] This is a single feature request (not multiple features)
Problem Statement
I often want to chat in a current code session about what we are working on, without claude actually making code changes based on what we are chatting about. Cursor has this by default. I want it here, not only in Cowork or Chat separate session, as I want to give it context of what I am working on.
Currently I have to manually type that it shouldn't make code changes based on the current conversation, I have to tell it that we are brainstorming.
Proposed Solution
A Chat toggle in the Code session, there where you toggle between Auto, Plan, Manual etc. One must be able to toggle "Chat", for chat only features.
Alternative Solutions
No alternative solution, do it this way. Other platforms has proved its usefulness.
Priority
High - Significant impact on productivity
Feature Category
Interactive mode (TUI)
Use Case Example
- I am busy working on a complex task.
- I want to ask a question and brainstorm the solution without code changes.
- I want to toggle "Chat" for chat only within this context session.
- I send a message and only receive a response. No code edits.
- Great success!
Additional Context
<img width="848" height="217" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e2efb284-93a2-4e24-a0b8-e3af63d494e8" />
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3 Comments
Pretty insane that this has't been added yet, I always have to add "don't make any changes to the codebase" to the end of my prompt.
Plan mode is the closest thing to a chat-only toggle: while it's on, Claude reads and reasons but doesn't edit files or run write commands, so you can brainstorm inside the same session with full context. Press
Shift+Tabto cycle into it (the status bar shows⏸ plan mode on), or use the mode selector in VS Code / Desktop / claude.ai. Switch back when you want changes applied.Docs: https://code.claude.com/docs/en/permission-modes#analyze-before-you-edit-with-plan-mode
Closing since this is available today; feel free to reopen if plan mode doesn't fit your workflow.
🤖 Generated with Claude Code
I want to reopen this as plan doesn't suffice when I want to only chat. I am not always planning on implementing immediately.
@bcherny please reopen this issue.