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What is Agentic Mode?

Agentic mode transforms Avante from a simple chat interface into an autonomous coding agent that can:
  • Execute tools like bash commands, file operations, and code search
  • Make decisions about which tools to use and when
  • Generate code and apply changes automatically
  • Iterate on solutions without constant user prompting
This is the default mode in Avante.nvim and represents the future of AI-assisted coding.

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Agentic vs Legacy Mode

Autonomous Agent Workflow
  1. You ask a question or describe a task
  2. Agent analyzes the request and available tools
  3. Agent executes tools (read files, search code, run commands)
  4. Agent generates a response based on gathered context
  5. Agent can apply changes directly to your code
require('avante').setup({
  mode = "agentic",  -- Default
})
Pros:
  • More powerful and context-aware
  • Can gather information autonomously
  • Better for complex multi-step tasks
  • Follows modern AI agent patterns

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Available Tools

In agentic mode, the AI can use these tools autonomously:

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File Operations

Reads the contents of a file from your project.
{
  "tool": "read_file",
  "parameters": {
    "path": "src/main.lua"
  }
}
Creates a new file or overwrites an existing one.
{
  "tool": "write_to_file",
  "parameters": {
    "path": "src/new_module.lua",
    "content": "-- New file content"
  }
}
Makes surgical edits to specific parts of a file.
{
  "tool": "edit_file",
  "parameters": {
    "path": "src/config.lua",
    "old_str": "timeout = 30000",
    "new_str": "timeout = 60000"
  }
}

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Code Search & Navigation

Searches for patterns in your codebase.
{
  "tool": "grep",
  "parameters": {
    "pattern": "function setup",
    "path": "lua/"
  }
}
Finds files matching a glob pattern.
{
  "tool": "glob",
  "parameters": {
    "pattern": "**/*.lua"
  }
}

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Execution & Analysis

Runs bash commands to gather information or make changes.
{
  "tool": "bash",
  "parameters": {
    "command": "git status"
  }
}
The agent will ask for permission before running potentially destructive commands.
Retrieves LSP diagnostics for the current file or project.
{
  "tool": "get_diagnostics",
  "parameters": {}
}

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Tool Permissions

Control which tools the agent can use:

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Auto-Approve All Tools

require('avante').setup({
  behaviour = {
    auto_approve_tool_permissions = true,  -- Default
  },
})

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Prompt for All Tools

require('avante').setup({
  behaviour = {
    auto_approve_tool_permissions = false,
  },
})

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Auto-Approve Specific Tools

require('avante').setup({
  behaviour = {
    auto_approve_tool_permissions = { "bash", "str_replace" },
  },
})

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How Agentic Workflows Work

Here’s a typical agentic workflow:
1

User provides a high-level request

:AvanteAsk Add error handling to all API calls
2

Agent analyzes the codebase

The agent uses grep to find all API call locations:
{"tool": "grep", "parameters": {"pattern": "api\\.call|fetch|axios"}}
3

Agent reads relevant files

For each file found, the agent uses read_file to examine the code:
{"tool": "read_file", "parameters": {"path": "src/api/client.lua"}}
4

Agent generates and applies fixes

The agent uses str_replace or edit_file to add error handling:
{
  "tool": "str_replace",
  "parameters": {
    "path": "src/api/client.lua",
    "old_str": "local result = api.call()",
    "new_str": "local ok, result = pcall(api.call)\nif not ok then\n  error('API call failed: ' .. result)\nend"
  }
}
5

Agent reports results

The agent summarizes what was changed and asks if you want to apply the changes.

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Agent Client Protocol (ACP)

Avante also supports external agentic tools through the Agent Client Protocol:
  • Gemini CLI - Google’s Gemini agent
  • Claude Code - Anthropic’s coding agent
  • Goose - Open source agent framework
  • Codex - OpenAI’s coding agent
These agents run as separate processes and communicate with Avante through a standardized protocol.

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Best Practices

Be specific but high-level: Give the agent clear goals, but let it figure out how to achieve them.✅ Good: “Refactor the authentication system to use async/await”❌ Bad: “Read auth.lua, then change line 45 to use async”
Review before applying: Always review agent-generated changes before applying them, especially for critical code.
Use project instructions: Add an avante.md file to give the agent context about your project’s conventions and requirements.

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Configuration

Fine-tune agentic behavior: 
require('avante').setup({
  mode = "agentic",
  behaviour = {
    auto_approve_tool_permissions = true,
    acp_follow_agent_locations = true,  -- Auto-open files edited by ACP agents
  },
})

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Next Steps

ACP Support

Use external AI agents with Avante

Available Tools

Complete tool reference

Project Instructions

Guide the agent with project context

Tool Permissions

Configure tool security

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