# Agent Mode > Background tasks that read files, run shell, browse the web — and report back when they're done. Agent Mode is the surface for anything bigger than one sentence of work. Say "hey agent" or speak a task that obviously needs multiple steps — Katchy spawns a background session that plans, executes, checks its work, and surfaces the result on a small dock card next to your cursor. ## What an agent can do - Read and write files anywhere you've granted access. - Run shell commands — `git`, `npm`, `curl`, `python`, anything on your PATH. - Open apps, click, drag, type (with Computer Use enabled). - Search the web and follow links. - Persist memory — every completed task gets logged so future sessions know what happened. ## What an agent cannot do - Touch anything outside the macOS permissions you've granted. - Use credentials it wasn't given. - Survive a Katchy quit — closing the app stops in-flight agents cleanly. ## The dock card While an agent is working you'll see a small card next to the cursor with: - The task title (auto-generated, noun-first — e.g. "Reminders Cleanup", not "Can You Please…") - Current stage — Planning / Executing / Composing reply / Done - A live step line with the most recent shell command or assistant snippet - Suggested next actions when the task completes Click the card for the full conversation log, or hit Stop / Dismiss without ever opening the dashboard. ## Pairing voice + agent The two modes are designed to be used together. Voice is the foreground (one question, one reply); agents are the background (long tasks). A typical loop: 1. Voice: "what's blocking this test from passing?" 2. Read the answer. Think. 3. Hand off: "hey agent, fix the missing import in `auth/session.ts` and re-run the test." 4. Keep working on the next thing. The agent dock card flashes when it's done. ## Destructive actions ask first Delete, send, publish, overwrite — destructive moves prompt for confirmation by default. Everything else you can undo with the usual `Cmd-Z`. Stop the agent any time with the same Control + Option hotkey. --- - Next up: [Keyboard shortcuts](/docs/keyboard-shortcuts) - Full docs index: