VS Code Insiders Podcast Mastering Chat Modes in VS Code with Burke Holland
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Oct 20, 2025 Burke Holland, a developer renowned for creating Beast Mode, delves into the fascinating world of custom chat modes in VS Code. He explains how these modes evolve to optimize developer tasks and increase model agency, specifically in GPT-4.1. Burke walks through the structure of chat mode files, automating repetitive workflows, and using Beast Mode to enforce internet utilization. He shares tips on refining output formats and customizing modes to fit specific workflows, making development more efficient and enjoyable.
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Chat Modes Define Persistent Workflows
- Custom chat modes append persistent instructions and tool access to every request in VS Code.
- They let you define workflows like ask, edit, and agent to control model behavior precisely.
Limit Tools To Control Actions
- Give the model only the tools it needs so it doesn't perform unwanted actions.
- Use agent mode when you want the model to write code and ask mode when you only want answers.
Models Have Distinct Agentic Quirks
- Models have quirks and implicit personalities that affect how they act.
- Making a model more "agentic" means increasing its tendency to finish tasks without repeated prompts.