Use Plan Mode with model steering for complex tasks

Architecting a complex solution requires precision. By combining Plan Mode's structured environment with model steering's real-time feedback, you can guide Gemini CLI through the research and design phases to ensure the final implementation plan is exactly what you need.

Note: This is a preview feature currently under active development. As of March 4, 2026, Plan Mode is only available on the preview channel.

Prerequisites

Gemini CLI installed and authenticated.
Plan Mode enabled in your settings.
Model steering enabled in your settings.

Why combine Plan Mode and model steering?

Plan Mode typically follows a linear path: research, propose, and draft. Adding model steering lets you:

Direct the research: Correct the agent if it's looking in the wrong directory or missing a key dependency.
Iterate mid-draft: Suggest a different architectural pattern while the agent is still writing the plan.
Speed up the loop: Avoid waiting for a full research turn to finish before providing critical context.

Step 1: Start a complex task

Enter Plan Mode and start a task that requires research.

Prompt: /plan I want to implement a new notification service using Redis.

Gemini CLI enters Plan Mode and starts researching your existing codebase to identify where the new service should live.

Step 2: Steer the research phase

As you see the agent calling tools like list_directory or grep_search, you might realize it's missing the relevant context.

Action: While the spinner is active, type your hint: "Don't forget to check packages/common/queues for the existing Redis config."

Result: Gemini CLI acknowledges your hint and immediately incorporates it into its research. You'll see it start exploring the directory you suggested in its very next turn.

Step 3: Refine the design mid-turn

After research, the agent starts drafting the implementation plan. If you notice it's proposing a design that doesn't align with your goals, steer it.

Action: Type: "Actually, let's use a Publisher/Subscriber pattern instead of a simple queue for this service."

Result: The agent stops drafting the current version of the plan, re-evaluates the design based on your feedback, and starts a new draft that uses the Pub/Sub pattern.

Step 4: Approve and implement

Once the agent has used your hints to craft the perfect plan, review the final .md file.

Action: Type: "Looks perfect. Let's start the implementation."

Gemini CLI exits Plan Mode and transitions to the implementation phase. Because the plan was refined in real-time with your feedback, the agent can now execute each step with higher confidence and fewer errors.

Tips for effective steering

Be specific: Instead of "do it differently," try "use the existing Logger class in src/utils."
Steer early: Providing feedback during the research phase is more efficient than waiting for the final plan to be drafted.
Use for context: Steering is a great way to provide knowledge that might not be obvious from reading the code (e.g., "We are planning to deprecate this module next month").

Next steps

Explore Agent Skills to add specialized expertise to your planning turns.
See the Model steering reference for technical details.

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