RooPrompts/mode-quick-reference.md

# Roo Mode Quick Reference Guide

## Mode Selection Criteria

### When to Use Each Mode

| Mode | Use When | Key Indicators |
|------|----------|----------------|
| **💻 Code** | Writing new code, implementing features, refactoring | "Build", "Create", "Implement", "Add feature" |
| **❓ Ask** | Seeking explanations, understanding concepts | "Explain", "What is", "How does", "Why" |
| **🪲 Debug** | Fixing bugs, resolving errors, troubleshooting | "Error", "Bug", "Not working", "Fix" |
| **🏗️ Architect** | Designing systems, planning architecture | "Design", "Architecture", "Structure", "Plan system" |
| **🪃 Orchestrator** | Managing complex multi-step projects | "Complex project", "Multiple phases", "Coordinate" |
| **Code Reviewer** | Reviewing code quality, security, best practices | "Review code", "Check quality", "Audit" |
| **Deep Thinker** | Analyzing complex problems, strategic thinking | "Analyze deeply", "Strategic", "Complex analysis" |
| **Enhanced Planning** | After 3 failed attempts or complex planning needs | Auto-triggered on failures, "Detailed plan" |
| **Deep Research** | In-depth research using web resources | "Research", "Find information", "Investigate" |
| **QA Tester** | Testing, test planning, quality assurance | "Test", "QA", "Verify", "Test plan" |
| **Haskell God** | Advanced Haskell development | "Haskell", "Functional programming", "Type system" |
| **ReScript Master** | ReScript monorepo development | "ReScript", "ReasonML", "BuckleScript" |

## Tool Access Permissions

### Core Modes

#### 💻 Code Mode
- ✅ All file operations (read, write, apply_diff)
- ✅ Execute commands
- ✅ Browser actions
- ✅ Search and list operations
- ✅ MCP tools (Context7, Brave Search)

#### ❓ Ask Mode
- ✅ Read files
- ✅ Search operations
- ✅ List operations
- ❌ Write/modify files
- ❌ Execute commands
- ✅ MCP tools for research

#### 🪲 Debug Mode
- ✅ All file operations
- ✅ Execute commands
- ✅ Browser actions for testing
- ✅ Search operations
- ✅ MCP tools for debugging

#### 🏗️ Architect Mode
- ✅ Read files
- ✅ Write markdown files only
- ❌ Code file modifications
- ✅ Search and list operations
- ✅ MCP tools for research

### Specialized Modes

#### 🪃 Orchestrator Mode
- ✅ Mode switching
- ✅ Task delegation
- ✅ Read operations
- ✅ Write planning documents
- ❌ Direct code modifications

#### Code Reviewer Mode
- ✅ Read all files
- ✅ Write review.md only
- ❌ Modify code files
- ✅ Search operations
- ✅ Static analysis tools

#### Deep Thinker Mode
- ✅ Read operations
- ✅ Write analysis documents
- ❌ Code modifications
- ✅ Sequential Thinking MCP

#### Enhanced Planning Mode
- ✅ All research MCP tools
- ✅ Read operations
- ✅ Write planning documents
- ✅ Sequential Thinking MCP

### Domain-Specific Modes

#### Deep Research Mode
- ✅ Context7 MCP (required)
- ✅ Brave Search MCP (required)
- ✅ Playwright MCP (required)
- ✅ Read operations
- ✅ Write research documents

#### QA Tester Mode
- ✅ All file operations
- ✅ Execute test commands
- ✅ Browser automation
- ✅ Write test files
- ✅ Testing MCP tools

#### Haskell God Mode
- ✅ All Haskell file operations
- ✅ Cabal/Stack commands
- ✅ GHC operations
- ✅ Advanced type system tools

#### ReScript Master Mode
- ✅ All ReScript file operations
- ✅ Build system commands
- ✅ Monorepo operations
- ✅ ReScript toolchain

## Mode Switching Guidelines

### Automatic Switching Triggers

1. **To Enhanced Planning**
   - After 3 failed attempts at solving an issue
   - When explicitly requested for complex planning

2. **To Code Reviewer**
   - When code review is explicitly requested
   - After major feature completion

3. **To Debug**
   - When errors are encountered during Code mode
   - When troubleshooting is needed

### Manual Switching Best Practices

1. **From Code → Architect**
   - When implementation reveals design issues
   - Before starting major refactoring

2. **From Any → Orchestrator**
   - When task becomes multi-faceted
   - When coordination between modes is needed

3. **From Any → Deep Research**
   - When external information is needed
   - When current knowledge is insufficient

4. **From Debug → Enhanced Planning**
   - When debugging reveals systemic issues
   - When simple fixes aren't working

## Integration Points

### Mode Handoff Patterns

```mermaid
graph LR
    A[Architect] -->|Design Complete| C[Code]
    C -->|Errors Found| D[Debug]
    C -->|Review Needed| R[Code Reviewer]
    D -->|Complex Issue| EP[Enhanced Planning]
    EP -->|Plan Ready| C
    O[Orchestrator] -->|Delegates| A
    O -->|Delegates| C
    O -->|Delegates| QA[QA Tester]
    DR[Deep Research] -->|Info Found| A
    DR -->|Info Found| C
```

### Context Preservation

- All modes share Memory Bank access
- Context is preserved through:
  - `currentTask.md` updates
  - `activeContext.md` maintenance
  - Mode-specific handoff notes

### Best Practices for Mode Selection

1. **Start with the right mode** - Avoid unnecessary switching
2. **Use Orchestrator for complex projects** - Let it delegate
3. **Trust automatic triggers** - They prevent repeated failures
4. **Preserve context during switches** - Update Memory Bank
5. **Complete mode-specific tasks** - Before switching

## Quick Decision Tree

```
Is it a multi-part complex project?
├─ Yes → Orchestrator Mode
└─ No → Continue
    │
    Is it about understanding/explaining?
    ├─ Yes → Ask Mode
    └─ No → Continue
        │
        Is it fixing an error/bug?
        ├─ Yes → Debug Mode
        └─ No → Continue
            │
            Is it system design/architecture?
            ├─ Yes → Architect Mode
            └─ No → Continue
                │
                Is it code review?
                ├─ Yes → Code Reviewer Mode
                └─ No → Continue
                    │
                    Is it deep analysis?
                    ├─ Yes → Deep Thinker Mode
                    └─ No → Continue
                        │
                        Need external research?
                        ├─ Yes → Deep Research Mode
                        └─ No → Code Mode (default)
```

## Emergency Mode Selection

If unsure, consider:
1. **Code Mode** - Most versatile, good default
2. **Orchestrator Mode** - When complexity is high
3. **Ask Mode** - When clarification is needed first