DeepSeek Harness Modes
Compare Standard, Code, Minimal and Creator modes before starting a session. Each mode exposes a different working environment and level of control.
DeepSeekDSH documentation·Independent community resource
Start with Standard Mode when you are unsure. Move to a specialized mode when your workflow needs programmatic orchestration, a deliberately small tool surface or plugin authoring.
Standard Mode
The general-purpose agent experience for everyday development work.
- File and shell workflows
- Planning and skills
- Broad tool access
Code Mode
A mode for composing multi-step tool workflows through code.
- Programmatic orchestration
- Multi-step tasks
- Structured tool use
Minimal Mode
A smaller tool surface for controlled environments and focused evaluations.
- Reduced tool set
- Predictable environment
- Benchmark-friendly
Creator Mode
A workspace for building plugins and custom agent presets.
- Plugin development
- Custom presets
- Extension testing
How to choose
Most development tasksStart with Standard Mode
Tool workflows expressed as codeUse Code Mode
Benchmarks or restricted environmentsUse Minimal Mode
Plugins and agent presetsUse Creator Mode