/dev

command: dev
disable-model-invocation: true
description: "[advanced] Switch to Dev Work mode - optimized for software development"
aliases:
  - dev-mode

Dev Work Mode

Switch to **Dev Work Mode**, optimized for software development.

Implementation Instructions

When this command is executed:

1. **Check current mode** via `.claude/claude-octopus.local.md`:

• If file does NOT exist → user is already in Dev Work Mode (default). **Do not create the file.** Show confirmation only, then exit.
• If file exists and `knowledge_mode: false` → user is already in Dev Work Mode. **Do not rewrite the file.** Show confirmation only, then exit.
• If file exists and `knowledge_mode: true` → proceed to step 2.

2. **Switch to Dev Work mode** (only if a real transition is needed):

• Before writing, state one sentence: "Switching Knowledge Work → Dev Work — updating `.claude/claude-octopus.local.md` (`knowledge_mode: true` → `false`)."
• Update the existing file's `knowledge_mode` field to `false` (preserve any other keys in frontmatter).
• Confirm the switch.

3. **Show confirmation:**

• Display Dev Work Mode emoji (🔧)
• List active personas
• Suggest available commands (`/octo:develop`, `/octo:review`, `/octo:tdd`, etc.)

**Rule (v9.30+):** Never create or rewrite `.claude/claude-octopus.local.md` when the user is already in the target mode. The v9.29 behavior over-executed — it wrote config for a state the user was already in, without explanation. Skip the Write tool entirely when there's nothing to change. See `agents/principles/write-intent.md` for the general principle.

Usage

/octo:dev        # Switch to Dev Work mode

What is Dev Work Mode?

**Dev Work Mode** 🔧 is optimized for:

• Building features and implementing APIs
• Debugging code and fixing bugs
• Technical architecture and code review
• Test-driven development

**Personas**: backend-architect, code-reviewer, debugger, test-automator, performance-engineer

Two Work Modes

Claude Octopus has two work modes:

1. **Dev Work Mode** 🔧 (this mode)

• For: Software development, code, technical tasks

2. **Knowledge Work Mode** 🎓

• For: User research, strategy analysis, literature reviews
• Switch: `/octo:km on`

Both modes use the same configured AI providers, just optimized with different personas.

Learn More

Run `/octo:setup` to configure your preferences and choose your default mode.