Plan Mode

Plan Mode is a Nova chat mode that creates a structured implementation plan before building your project. You can review the plan and ask Nova to make changes. When you approve the plan, Nova switches to Agent Mode and uses the plan to build your website or web app.

Plan Mode works best for projects that require attention to detail and accurate execution. Common uses include:

  • Reviewing the scope and key features of a project before Nova generates it.
  • Answering clarifying questions from Nova to provide details that your original prompt missed.
  • Iterating on the approach in the chat panel before building.
  • Creating a structured plan that you can save as a reference for the project.

Using Plan Mode

To enable Plan Mode, open the chat mode selector in the prompt toolbar and choose Plan ( plan mode icon).

Chat Mode selector set to Plan Mode

Then, enter a prompt describing your website or web app and click Start Planning. For example, you could enter this prompt to plan a web app with several interconnected features:

Create a plan to build a web app for a community garden scheduler. Members should be able to reserve garden plots, log watering schedules, and view a shared events calendar. Include an admin view for approving new member requests and managing plot assignments.

The chat mode selector is always available. You can enable Plan Mode when you start a new project or while working on an existing project.

Reviewing the plan

Before generating a plan, Nova may ask questions to collect any details missing in your prompt. Each question includes a recommended answer and suggested answers. You can also type your own answer if you want to include more details.

Each question has a 10-minute countdown timer. If you do not answer a question within this window, Nova continues automatically with the recommended answer.

When your plan is ready, Nova shows a Plan section in the chat panel. Click Expand plan to show the full plan and review it. The sections of your plan vary depending on your project. To continue:

  • Click Revise or enter a message in the prompt text box to make changes to the plan. Each revision consumes one credit. You can revise and regenerate the plan as many times as you need. Nova does not start building while you are in Plan Mode.
  • Click Approve to accept the plan, switch to Agent Mode, and start building.

How Nova structures plans

Nova tailors each plan to your goals and requirements, so each plan is different. Your plan can include the following sections:

SectionDescription
Scope SummaryA high-level overview of what Nova will build or change in the project.
AssumptionsThe choices Nova is making where your prompt left gaps.
Key FeaturesThe main features, behaviors, and changes the project will include.
Pages or ScreensAn outline of the pages or app screens.
Content and AssetsThe copy, images, and branding the project needs.
Inputs and ConstraintsSpecific inputs, requirements, and constraints that shape the project, such as color themes, layout rules, external integrations, or existing functionality to preserve.
Implementation ApproachThe order in which Nova will build.
Risks and Edge CasesPotential issues and how Nova will handle them.
Follow-upsOptional enhancements Nova suggests for later, outside the scope of the current plan.

If your plan doesn’t include one of these sections, you can ask Nova to include it directly.

Troubleshooting

Nova selected an answer for you

If you do not respond to a clarifying question before the 10-minute countdown ends, Nova continues generating the plan using the recommended answer. Click Revise to reply in the chat panel with the correct details.

The plan doesn’t match what you expected

If the generated plan doesn’t match what you wanted:

  • Expand the plan and review the Assumptions section to see the choices Nova made.
  • Click Revise or reply in the prompt text box with the missing details.
  • For more information on writing clearer prompts, read our Prompting Best Practices documentation.

Your project doesn’t start building after you click Approve

If Nova does not switch to Agent Mode and begin building after you approve a plan, you may be out of credits. You can see your credit balance and refresh date in the Account Menu. For more information, read our Billing and AI Credits documentation.

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