# What are thinking modes?

A thinking mode sets how much Bluedeer thinks before it answers, and you choose one at the bottom of the message box.

Every message box has a thinking mode. It controls how much time Bluedeer spends thinking before it answers. The default is **Balance**.

## The four modes

| Mode    | What it does                            |
| ------- | --------------------------------------- |
| Instant | Answers without thinking                |
| Balance | Quick, considered answers (the default) |
| Smart   | More time for harder work               |
| Max     | Maximum reasoning effort                |

## Change the mode

1. Open the thinking mode menu at the bottom of the message box.
2. Choose a mode.

The menu closes, and the mode you chose applies to the messages you send next.

## Which mode to choose

Use **Instant** for simple questions or short rewrites. Use **Smart** or **Max** for longer analysis, planning or difficult code. Higher modes take longer to answer.