Chat modes, LLMs and Agents

Overview: Modes vs. Specialist Agents vs. LLM Selection

You.com is designed to adapt to a wide variety of user needs by offering:

• Modes (Auto, Express, Research): For general task handling and workflow optimization.
• Specialist Advanced Agents (ARI, Create, Compute): For deep research, creative content, and technical computation.
• User LLM Selection: For fine-tuning performance by choosing the best-suited language model for your specific task in a single chat or a reusable custom agent.

You.com modes: Auto, Express and Research

Auto Mode

• How it works: Automatically selects the best model or agent for your query, balancing speed and depth as needed.
• When to use: Everyday queries, when you want the system to decide the best approach, or for mixed/ambiguous tasks.
• Availability: Chats and Agents

Express Mode

• How it works: Prioritizes speed, delivering quick, reliable answers for straightforward questions.
• When to use: Drafting emails, summaries, or when turnaround time is critical.
• Availability: Chats and Agents

Research Mode

• How it works: Delivers comprehensive, multi-source research with citations and in-depth analysis.
• When to use: Business analysis, academic research, or any task requiring detailed, traceable insights.
• Availability: Chats and as the Advanced Research & Reasoning option in Agents

Specialist Advanced Agents: ARI, Create and Compute

ARI (Advanced Research & Insights)

• Strengths: Deep, verifiable research; professional-grade reports; integrates public and private data.
• When to use: When you need comprehensive, citation-backed research for business, consulting, or regulated industries.

Create

• Strengths: Generates custom images in any style from plain language.
• When to use: For creative projects, marketing visuals, or quick concept visualization.

Compute

• Strengths: Handles code, data files, and complex technical reasoning with visual outputs.
• When to use: For data analysis, code execution or technical education.

LLM Selection: When and why it matters

Advantages of Selecting a specific LLM

• Task Alignment: Choose a model that excels at your specific task (e.g., long-context, safety, domain expertise).
• Performance: Top-tier models (e.g., GPT-4o, Claude) offer superior reasoning and accuracy.
• Customization: Open-source models (e.g., Llama) allow for cost control and custom deployments.
• Compliance & Safety: Select models with strong safety features for regulated or sensitive applications.
• Cost Efficiency: Use smaller or open-source models for lower resource or budget-constrained scenarios.

When to Select a Specific LLM

• When your task requires a particular strength (e.g., long-context, multimodal, domain expertise).
• For data privacy, on-premises deployment, or cost control.
• When benchmarking shows a model outperforms others for your use case.
• For consistency and reproducibility in outputs.

Decision making Guide: Which to use and when

Start with Auto mode for general tasks, switch to Express for speed, Research/ARI for depth, and select a specific LLM or specialist agent when your task demands unique strengths or traceability.

Summary Table: Modes. Agents and LLMs at a glance

Review our LLM Selection how-to article for selecting your perfect LLM

Find our current list of supported LLMs Available LLMs.

Conclusion

You.com empowers users with flexible modes for general productivity, specialist agents for advanced tasks, and a diverse set of LLMs for tailored performance. By understanding the strengths and optimal use cases for each, you can maximize efficiency, accuracy, and creativity, whether you need a quick answer, a deep research report, or a custom technical solution.

Starting a chat

Adding files to a chat

Chat web search options

Making a chat a favorite

Renaming a chat

Adding a chat to a project

Searching for a chat

Deleting a chat

Sharing a chat

Copying and exporting chats

Available LLMs

Selecting an LLM