gemini-cli/docs/tools/planning.md

Gemini CLI planning tools

Planning tools let Gemini CLI switch into a safe, read-only "Plan Mode" for researching and planning complex changes, and to signal the finalization of a plan to the user.

1. enter_plan_mode (EnterPlanMode)

enter_plan_mode switches the CLI to Plan Mode. This tool is typically called by the agent when you ask it to "start a plan" using natural language. In this mode, the agent is restricted to read-only tools to allow for safe exploration and planning.

Note: This tool is not available when the CLI is in YOLO mode.

• Tool name: enter_plan_mode
• Display name: Enter Plan Mode
• File: enter-plan-mode.ts
• Parameters:
  • reason (string, optional): A short reason explaining why the agent is entering plan mode (for example, "Starting a complex feature implementation").
• Behavior:
  • Switches the CLI's approval mode to PLAN.
  • Notifies the user that the agent has entered Plan Mode.
• Output (llmContent): A message indicating the switch, for example, Switching to Plan mode.
• Confirmation: Yes. The user is prompted to confirm entering Plan Mode.

2. exit_plan_mode (ExitPlanMode)

exit_plan_mode signals that the planning phase is complete. It presents the finalized plan to the user and requests approval to start the implementation.

• Tool name: exit_plan_mode
• Display name: Exit Plan Mode
• File: exit-plan-mode.ts
• Parameters:
  • plan_path (string, required): The path to the finalized Markdown plan file. This file MUST be located within the project's temporary plans directory (for example, ~/.gemini/tmp/<project>/plans/).
• Behavior:
  • Validates that the plan_path is within the allowed directory and that the file exists and has content.
  • Presents the plan to the user for review.
  • If the user approves the plan:
    • Switches the CLI's approval mode to the user's chosen approval mode ( DEFAULT or AUTO_EDIT).
    • Marks the plan as approved for implementation.
  • If the user rejects the plan:
    • Stays in Plan Mode.
    • Returns user feedback to the model to refine the plan.
• Output (llmContent):
  • On approval: A message indicating the plan was approved and the new approval mode.
  • On rejection: A message containing the user's feedback.
• Confirmation: Yes. Shows the finalized plan and asks for user approval to proceed with implementation.