Planning Mode introduces a native interface for collaborating with AI on long-term thinking. It provides Cascade with the ability to generate, track, and evolve a persistent planning file.

When toggled on, Cascade generates a local markdown file that it refers back to throughout the project. You can manually open and edit this plan, or simply ask Cascade to make updates for you.

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Behavior

The planning document will be saved and persisted into a subdirectory within .windsurf directory so it won’t be checked into version control.

In Planning Mode, Cascade will frequently refer to the plan as it completes the task. It will also try to look for approval before implementing steps in the plan.

After implementing steps, Cascade will update the plan and summarize the changes for the user before proceeding to the next step(s).

In the background, a specialized planning agent is being used to iterate on the long-term plan as you use your selected model to take short-term actions conditional on the plan.

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Plan Creation

By default, planning mode is disabled. You can create a new plan by toggling Planning Mode. Simply click the button below the Cascade input box and start or continue your conversation.

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Updating Plans

Plans can be updated directly in the markdown file, or by prompting Cascade to make updates for you.

Cascade may also automatically make updates to the plan as it picks up new information (such as a Memory) during the course of a conversation.