The main layout is divided into three key sections: the Sidebar (Task Management) on the left, the Chat Box (Planning and Dialogue) in the center, and the Result Area (File Explorer, Diffs, and Previews) on the right.
UI Panels Explained
| Area | Main Purpose | Focus Areas during Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Sidebar | Create, search, switch, and manage tasks | Ensure you are in the correct task context |
| Chat Box | Describe requirements, supplement inputs, confirm plans | Ensure goals and constraints are complete |
| Result Area | View outputs, directory files, git diffs, and previews | Ensure filenames, paths, and modifications match expectations |
Why Work Directories Need Isolation
Workspace isolation serves as both an efficiency layout and a security boundary. Mixing financial ledgers, weekly summaries, and client assets in a single directory increases the risk of data leakage and file overrides.
We highly recommend assigning a dedicated directory to each task. When enabling "Full Access," the agent can access files outside the workspace folder. Exercise extreme caution.
Three Task Execution Modes
WorkBuddy provides three task execution modes:
| Mode | Chinese Label | Capability | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ask | 问一问 | Read-only mode for exploration; no files are modified | Understand data and clarify tasks first |
| Craft | 做一做 | Direct execution of local file edits and scripts | High confidence, low-risk routines |
| Plan | 想一想 | Generates a step-by-step checklist, wait for approval | Multi-step, cross-app, or critical edits |
Model Selection Options
By default, the client chooses the optimal model automatically. You can manually specify your model of choice.
| Task Characteristics | Recommendation Key |
|---|---|
| Large texts and reports | Context length, e.g., 1M tokens |
| Images and screenshots | Multi-modal vision capabilities |
| High-frequency routine tasks | High response speeds, low token costs |
References
Part of this series
WorkBuddy In Action
View all guides in this series →