Minimal mode is one of the modes you can choose for a task. It comes with DataMind Oda and works using only a terminal tool, for testing and comparing basic performance.
The mode's description in the picker reads: The agent works using only a terminal tool. Useful for testing and comparing its basic performance.
Minimal mode has a short guide, like every mode that comes with DataMind Oda. Open Settings > Agent presets and use the menu on the Minimal mode card (Actions for Minimal mode).
The guide is read-only: opening it changes nothing about your chats.
It works with a single terminal tool: one persistent shell tool and a fixed system prompt. It can still read files and execute scripts through shell commands.
No. The built-in preset does not load Skills, planning, context compaction, or the standard runtime context. If a task needs them, start it in another mode; Standard mode is the usual choice.
Use it as a baseline for experiments and comparisons. It is not meant for everyday work; for regular tasks, use Standard mode.
Start a new chat and pick Minimal mode in the mode chip beside the workspace picker while the chat is still blank (Choose a mode for a new task). To make new tasks start in it, set it as the new-task default on its card in Settings > Agent presets (Agent modes).
Start two chats and send the same task to each, one in Minimal mode and one in another mode. Keep the model, permissions, input and starting workspace state the same across the runs, then compare task completion, tool calls and the resulting changes; the guide walks through this with a small bug fix.
Not necessarily. It offers fewer built-in ways to manage a long task, and fewer tools does not necessarily make it easier for a beginner.
Minimal mode has a short guide. Open Settings > Agent presets and use the menu on the Minimal mode card (Actions for Minimal mode): Mode details explains what is included and when to choose it, and How to use shows an example task about comparing performance on a small bug fix, with a Copy button. Opening the guide changes nothing about your chats.