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Code modes and models

Pick Spark, Forge or Summit to set how hard Ysra works on a Code task, or choose a model and an effort yourself, in the app or the command line.

On this page

A Code mode is one choice that sets which model does the work in a Code thread and how hard it thinks, so you don’t have to pick either. This page is for anyone starting Code threads: which mode to use when, the effort levels, and where to change them. Ask isn’t affected; it has its own speeds.

Which mode to use#

Spark Forge (the default) Summit
Best for “Small, clear jobs: a typo, a label, one field on a form.” “A new page, a feature, a bug you can describe.” “Large or tricky work, where a mistake costs more than the time.”
How it works “Fast and cheap. Reads only what it needs, makes the change, checks it and stops.” “Everyday building. Plans a little, builds, tests and fixes what fails.” “The strongest model, thinking hardest. Reads and plans first, then checks strictly before it calls it done.”
Effort Quick Balanced Thorough
Credits The fewest Middle The most
Not for Anything you’d need to explain in more than a sentence — A one-line change: it spends more for the same result

Use Spark when …#

The change is small and you could describe the exact edit: a typo, a label, a colour, one field.

Use Forge when …#

You’re not sure. Features, pages and bugs you can describe are Forge’s job, and it is where every new workspace starts.

Use Summit when …#

The work is large, crosses many files, or a mistake would be expensive: a migration, a payment flow, a security fix, a bug nobody has explained yet.

Choosing a model yourself#

Instead of a mode, you can pick a model. The list shows the models you can use, each with what it’s best for and what it costs.

Situation What happens
You pick a model It replaces the mode’s model for this thread; the mode is no longer named.
You pick an effort It overrides the mode’s effort; the mode is no longer named.
You change either mid-thread It applies from your next message; the thread notes “From here on I’ll work with: …”.
The thread uses a model that is no longer listed It keeps that model.
A mode’s models can’t be used The mode reads “Not available right now”; in the CLI, “Spark is not available right now.”
A model can’t be chosen The list says why.

Effort#

Effort is how long the model thinks before it acts.

Effort For
Quick Small, clear changes. The fastest, and the fewest credits.
Balanced Most work. The default.
Thorough Hard or unclear work. It thinks longer.

The effort you choose works with every model you can pick.

In the desktop app#

The model control sits at the right of the message box’s row. It shows the mode and its model (Forge · …), or the model you picked and its effort (… Balanced). It reads Loading… until the list arrives.

Part of the picker What it holds
Effort, at the top Quick (“For small, clear changes”), Balanced (“The default”), Thorough (“Thinks longer, for hard problems”), with the current model’s name under it
Search “Search modes and models”: type to filter, arrow keys to move, Enter to pick
Modes Spark (a bolt), Forge (a hammer, marked Recommended), Summit (a mountain), each with what it’s best for
Recently used Up to 3 models you picked yourself on this computer; hidden while you search
Choose a model yourself Each model with its mark, what it’s best for and a 4-step cost bar
The picker says Meaning
Loading models… The list is still loading.
Nothing matches. The search found nothing.

The first thread in a workspace starts on the recommended mode; after that, the box remembers your last choice. Under the thread’s title, one line shows ● Running while Ysra works, then the mode and its model (or the model and effort), then the credits used. See The top of a thread.

In the command line#

Command Does
/mode Choose Spark, Forge or Summit from a list; /mode spark chooses it at once
/model Choose a model yourself
/effort Choose Quick, Balanced or Thorough
ysra exec --mode … --model … --effort … The same for one run; --model and --effort win over --mode

Forge is used while nothing has been chosen. An unknown mode stops the run with “--mode is spark, forge, summit (not …).” The line at the top of a conversation shows the folder, the mode, the model, the effort and the account:

~/billing-service · Forge · … · balanced effort · you@example.com

Working on several projects#

Code works on the project folder you open, or on a repository or project in Ysra’s cloud. To work on several projects, open a thread on each. See Start a thread.

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