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What is the Ask Agent?

The Ask Agent is a lightweight interface for asking questions about your code, getting explanations, and performing simple coding tasks. Unlike generic AI assistants, it understands your codebase through Repo Grokking, allowing it to provide contextually relevant answers.
When you need more powerful capabilities like multi-file edits, web search, or complex code generation, select the Coding Agent from the agent selector.

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How to Use the Ask Agent

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Getting Started with Ask Agent

Select the Ask Agent from the agent dropdown menu at the bottom of the chat interface, or use the agent selector with Cmd+. (Mac) or Ctrl+. (Windows/Linux).Agent selector showing Ask Agent option

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Core Capabilities

The Ask Agent handles these development tasks:
  • Code explanations
What does this function do?

Explain how this API endpoint works
  • Error debugging
Why am I getting this TypeError?
  • Simple code generation
Write a function to validate email addresses
  • Best practices
What's the best way to handle this exception?

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Using Code References

Reference specific files, functions, or classes for contextual answers: 
How does the authentication work in auth_service.py?

What's the purpose of the UserManager class?

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Ask Agent vs. Coding Agent

While both interfaces are powered by the same technology, they serve different purposes:
Ask AgentCoding Agent
Quick questions and explanationsComplex multi-file operations
Simple code snippetsFull feature implementation
Read-only file operationsFull file create/modify/delete
Limited tools accessWeb search and other tools

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Technical Details

  • The Ask Agent uses the same codebase understanding as the Coding Agent but with limited abilities
  • It can read files but has restricted ability to modify them
  • It doesn’t have full access to external tools like web search
  • It’s optimized for quick responses rather than complex problem-solving

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Enabling the Coding Agent

When you need more powerful capabilities:
  1. Open the agent selector with Cmd+. (Mac) or Ctrl+. (Windows/Linux)
  2. Select the Coding Agent from the dropdown
  3. The Coding Agent can perform more complex tasks like:
    • Creating and modifying multiple files
    • Implementing entire features
    • Searching the web for documentation
    • Running validation and tests
Agent selector showing available agents including Coding Agent
You can switch between different agents by starting new chats and selecting the appropriate agent from the agent selector. Each chat maintains its selected agent type throughout the conversation.
Other agents and features that complement the Ask Agent:

Coding Agent

When you need more powerful development capabilities beyond questions and explanations

Web Dev Agent

Transform UI specifications and designs into working web applications with browser validation

Unit Testing Agent

Generate tests for code you’re asking questions about

E2E Testing Agent

Create end-to-end tests for web application workflows you’re exploring

AI Agents

Create custom agents for specialized Ask workflows and domain-specific questions

Repo-Info Agent

Enhances Ask responses with comprehensive project context and structure understanding