ElmonyDocs

Guides

Modes, tools, and context

The model picker chooses which AI handles a request. The mode menu chooses how Elmony uses that AI, while context and tool controls determine what information and external actions are available to it.

Chat modes

Build New

The recommended ECC workflow for both API models and subscription agents. It is the best starting point for a feature, integration, or multi-step change.

Build

Direct agent coding for debugging and manual iteration with the selected subscription agent.

Simple

Classic code generation and edits for focused work that does not need the full Build New workflow.

Ask

Ask questions about the project, understand code, or discuss an approach without starting a normal build flow.

Build with MCP

Like Build, but able to use enabled tools from Model Context Protocol servers while generating code.

MCP tools

  1. Open Settings → Tools (MCP).
  2. Add a server using stdio with a command and arguments, or http with a server URL.
  3. Enable the server and review the tools Elmony discovers.
  4. Set each tool to Ask, Always allow, or Deny.
  5. In chat, use the Tools picker to enable the tools needed for the request, then select Build with MCP.

Treat tool permissions as security decisions. Prefer Ask for tools that write data, run commands, publish content, or access sensitive services. Use Always allow only when you trust the server and understand the tool's effects.

Smart Context

Smart Context selects the files most relevant to your request instead of automatically using the entire codebase. This reduces unnecessary input on large projects and leaves more room for the model's response.

  • Balanced favors a smaller, focused context.
  • Deep searches more broadly when a task spans architecture or many files.
  • Files marked for auto-include remain in context in addition to files Smart Context selects.

Open the context-files control in chat to inspect explicit files and auto-includes. Add a file manually when it is essential but not selected; remove unrelated files when you want a tightly scoped response.

Web Access

Web Access lets supported Elmony AI flows search for current information. Use it when the request depends on recent documentation, versions, or external facts. Keep it off for work that can be answered entirely from the project, and verify important external information before shipping it.

Turbo Edits

Turbo Edits applies focused changes without rewriting complete files. Where its selector is available, Classic uses a smaller edit model and Search & replace targets specific text blocks. Review the resulting diff, especially when the same text appears more than once or surrounding code changed recently.

Availability

Smart Context, Web Access, and Turbo Edits are only shown when the current Elmony build, account, and selected AI access path support them. Subscription CLI agents can also expose their own tools or search behavior. If a control is not visible, it is not available for that current configuration.