> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ai-kb.automationanywhere.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Autopilot Modes

> Switch between Agent mode and Build mode so Autopilot can either act or author

Autopilot can run under two **modes**. A mode is not a personality setting — it is a **capability grant** that controls what Autopilot is allowed to do in that turn of the conversation.

| Mode      | In the product                                                    | What it means           |
| --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Agent** | Answer, research, and analyze **without** changing your workspace | Use what already exists |
| **Build** | Create and modify projects, agents, workflows, and tables         | Change the workspace    |

You can switch between them **mid-conversation**, so one chat can both build and act. New sessions default to **Agent** mode.

> These modes mirror the same split used by [EKB as MCP](/ekb-as-mcp/overview): Runtime ≈ Agent (use), Builder ≈ Build (author).

## Agent mode

**Use when** you want answers, research, analysis, or actions that should not rewrite your project.

**Typical asks**

* Research a topic with web sources
* Analyze a file or dataset
* Search your knowledge base
* Browse available integrations and connect an app when needed
* Ask clarifying questions before you decide to build something

**What Autopilot will not do in Agent mode**

* Create or edit agents, workflows, smart tables, or interfaces as an authoring step
* Run Autopilot’s build-only toolkits (for example testing scaffolds meant for things it just built)

If the task truly requires authoring, switch to **Build** (or ask Autopilot to switch when appropriate).

## Build mode

**Use when** you want Autopilot to create or change resources in a project.

**Typical asks**

* Create an AI agent (tools, knowledge, instructions)
* Build a workflow (triggers, steps, connected apps)
* Set up or update a knowledge base
* Create a new project
* Design smart tables and related structure

Build mode still follows Autopilot’s plan-first approach: clarify, plan, build, test, then hand off. See [How Autopilot Works](/autopilot/autopilot-how-it-works).

## How to switch

1. Open Autopilot in your project.
2. Use the mode control in the composer (**Agent** / **Build**).
3. Descriptions in the UI:
   * **Build** — *Create and modify projects, agents, workflows, and tables.*
   * **Agent** — *Answer, research, and analyze without changing your workspace.*

You can change mode while the conversation is already underway. Autopilot may also request a mode switch when the current grant cannot complete the task (subject to per-turn limits and approval-safe rules).

<Tip>
  New chats start in **Agent** mode. Switch to **Build** when you are ready to create or change resources.
</Tip>

## Suggestion chips change with the mode

On an empty Autopilot chat, shortcuts reflect the active mode:

| In Agent mode          | In Build mode      |
| ---------------------- | ------------------ |
| Available integrations | Create an AI agent |
| Research               | Build a workflow   |
| Analyze data           | Knowledge base     |
| Search knowledge       | New project        |

Use the chips as starting points; you can still type any request.

## Projects and the read-only Autopilot project

Autopilot always works in a **project** context. Before creating resources in Build mode, select (or create) the project that should own them.

The dedicated **Autopilot** system project is **read-only**. If you are in that project, you will see a banner explaining that new workflows, agents, and other resources should be created from your other projects.

## Choosing a mode quickly

| Goal                                                       | Mode                                                     |
| ---------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| “What does our KB say about …?”                            | **Agent**                                                |
| “Research competitors and cite sources”                    | **Agent**                                                |
| “Analyze this spreadsheet”                                 | **Agent**                                                |
| “Connect Slack / show my integrations”                     | **Agent**                                                |
| “Build me a support agent”                                 | **Build**                                                |
| “Create a weekly report workflow”                          | **Build**                                                |
| “Stand up a new project with a KB”                         | **Build**                                                |
| “Build the agent, then ask it a question in the same chat” | Start in **Build**, switch to **Agent** (or the reverse) |

## Related

* [Overview](/autopilot/autopilot-overview) — what Autopilot can build and manage
* [How Autopilot Works](/autopilot/autopilot-how-it-works) — plan-first flow and quality checks
* [EKB as MCP](/ekb-as-mcp/overview) — the same use vs build split for external clients (Claude, Cursor, etc.)

<Tip>
  **Ready to try modes?** Open Autopilot, confirm you are in **Agent** or **Build**, and start with a suggestion chip or your own prompt. For questions or additional support, contact your EKB account team.
</Tip>