claudekit/skills/mode-switching/SKILL.md

name, argument-hint, user-invocable, description

name	argument-hint	user-invocable	description
mode-switching	[mode name]	true	Use when the user wants to switch behavioral modes for the session — adjusting communication style, output format, and problem-solving approach. Trigger for keywords like "mode", "switch mode", "brainstorm mode", "token-efficient", "deep-research mode", "implementation mode", "review mode", "orchestration mode", or any request to change how Claude responds for the remainder of the session.

Mode Switching

When to Use

• User wants to change response style for the session
• Switching between exploration and execution phases
• Optimizing for token efficiency during high-volume work
• Entering focused review or deep-research mode

When NOT to Use

• One-off format requests ("give me a shorter answer") — just comply directly
• Switching tools or skills — modes affect style, not capabilities

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Available Modes

Mode	Description	Best For
default	Balanced responses, mix of explanation and code	General tasks
brainstorm	More questions, multiple alternatives, explore trade-offs	Design, ideation
token-efficient	Minimal explanations, code-only where possible	High-volume, cost savings
deep-research	Thorough analysis, citations, confidence levels	Investigation, audits
implementation	Jump straight to code, progress indicators	Executing plans
review	Look for issues first, severity levels, actionable feedback	Code review, QA
orchestration	Task breakdown, parallel execution, result aggregation	Complex parallel work

Mode Activation

Use natural language to switch modes for the session:

"switch to brainstorm mode"       # Creative exploration
"use implementation mode"         # Code-focused execution
"switch to token-efficient mode"  # Compressed output
"back to default mode"            # Reset

Recommended Workflows

Feature Development

brainstorm → implementation → review → default

Bug Investigation

deep-research → implementation → default

Cost-Conscious Session

token-efficient → [work on tasks] → default

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Mode Files

Mode definitions: .claude/modes/

Customize modes by editing these files. Each mode adjusts:

• Communication style and verbosity
• Output format preferences
• Problem-solving approach
• When to ask questions vs proceed

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Related Skills

• writing-concisely — The token-efficient mode activates this skill's patterns
• brainstorming — The brainstorm mode uses this skill's questioning approach
• executing-plans — Implementation mode pairs with plan execution
• sequential-thinking — Deep research mode leverages structured reasoning