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

# Plan a Big Change Before You Build It

> Use Plan mode in the builder chat to think a bigger change through with the AI, answer its questions, and only then have it build

For a quick change, just ask the builder AI. For something bigger, such as a new section of the site, online ordering or a members area, start in **Plan** mode. The AI looks at your site, works out the pages and steps, tells you the trade-offs, and asks what it needs from you. It doesn't change anything until you say so.

This guide plans an order-ahead page for Northwind's Pearl District café.

## Switch to Plan

**1. Start a new chat**

In the builder, click **New** at the top of the chat, so the plan has a conversation of its own.

**2. Pick Plan**

Click the mode button under the message box (it shows **Code** or **Designer**) and choose **Plan**.

![The mode menu: Code, Write, modify, or refactor code; Plan, Plan before building, analyze and strategize, outlined; Designer, AI-powered web design from scratch or reference; and the mode button, outlined](https://mintcdn.com/locusdigital/QXNe05fBEQr9oNAa/images/how-tos/site-builder/pm-01-modes-closeup.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=QXNe05fBEQr9oNAa\&q=85\&s=38769bdef02f39091a5df915252cdaab)

The three modes

**3. Describe what you want**

Say what you're after and why, and ask for a plan first. For example: "We want an online pre-order page so customers can order a drink and pick it up at the café. Plan this with me before you build anything." Send it.

## Read the plan

After a few minutes the AI answers with what it found on your site, the shape it recommends, the pages and steps, and the honest trade-offs. Northwind's plan suggests ordering ahead and paying at the counter for a first version, because it needs no payment account.

![Recommended shape for version one: Order ahead, pay at the counter, with the trade-off of no prepayment; and Pages and steps, starting with a single /order page in three sections](https://mintcdn.com/locusdigital/QXNe05fBEQr9oNAa/images/how-tos/site-builder/pm-02-plan-closeup.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=QXNe05fBEQr9oNAa\&q=85\&s=349cae7a49a2b7f5a4bf916f42edc9e1)

Part of the plan

It ends with the decisions only you can make.

![What I need from you: Payment, Timing, Menu, Options, Staff handling, Hours and Contact details, each with the recommended choice](https://mintcdn.com/locusdigital/QXNe05fBEQr9oNAa/images/how-tos/site-builder/pm-03-questions-closeup.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=QXNe05fBEQr9oNAa\&q=85\&s=5e89cfdbad2518f507e27406150e93ba)

What the AI needs from you

## Answer, then build

Reply with your answers in the same chat, and change anything you don't like about the plan. When the plan is final, the AI offers to build it: pick the build option. If it doesn't offer, switch the mode back to **Code** and say "Build the plan". The AI then makes the changes, and you can check them before publishing.

## Good to know

* **Big changes are safer on a branch.** Build the plan on a branch and merge it when you're happy: see [Try a Change on a Branch First](https://docs.hiveku.com/how-tos/site-builder/try-on-a-branch.md).
* **Designer mode** designs a page from scratch or from a reference, using your brand. Use it when the look matters most, such as a new landing page.
* **Quick changes:** see [Make a Change with the AI Chat](https://docs.hiveku.com/how-tos/site-builder/change-with-ai.md).


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