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DeepSeek Harness Modes

Compare Standard, Code, Minimal and Creator modes before starting a session. Each mode exposes a different working environment and level of control.

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Start with Standard Mode when you are unsure. Move to a specialized mode when your workflow needs programmatic orchestration, a deliberately small tool surface or plugin authoring.

Standard Mode

The general-purpose agent experience for everyday development work.

File and shell workflows
Planning and skills
Broad tool access

Best forMost development tasks

Code Mode

Compose multi-step tool workflows through code and structured execution.

Programmatic orchestration
Multi-step tasks
Structured tool use

Best forTool workflows expressed as code

Minimal Mode

A smaller tool surface for controlled environments and focused evaluations.

Reduced tool set
Predictable environment
Benchmark-friendly

Best forBenchmarks and restricted environments

Creator Mode

A workspace for building plugins and custom agent presets.

Plugin development
Custom presets
Extension testing

Best forPlugins and agent presets

How to choose

Use the smallest mode that still exposes the capabilities your task needs. For unfamiliar repositories, begin with a reversible task and review the mode's tool access before proceeding.