Google Antigravity Agent Mode: Complete Mastery Guide

Agent Mode is Google Antigravity's most powerful feature, transforming the AI from a code assistant into an autonomous development partner. This comprehensive guide will help you master Agent Mode for maximum productivity.

New to Antigravity? Start with our installation guide and getting started tutorial first.

What is Agent Mode?

Agent Mode allows Gemini 3 to autonomously execute multi-step tasks, making decisions, writing code, running commands, and iterating until your goal is achieved.

Traditional AI Assistant:
User → Prompt → AI → Response → User reviews → User implements

Agent Mode:
User → Goal → AI plans → AI executes → AI verifies → AI iterates → Done

Key Capabilities

1. Autonomous Execution: Completes tasks without constant guidance
2. Multi-file Operations: Creates, modifies, and deletes files
3. Terminal Commands: Runs build, test, and deployment scripts
4. Self-Correction: Identifies and fixes its own mistakes
5. Tool Integration: Uses MCP servers, browser, file system
6. Human-in-the-Loop: Asks for confirmation on critical decisions

This is what sets Antigravity apart from competitors - see our Antigravity vs Windsurf comparison and Antigravity vs Cursor comparison.

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Enabling Agent Mode

Activation Methods

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + A

Method 2: Command Palette

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P → "Enable Agent Mode"

Method 3: Chat Command

Type: /agent in the chat panel

Agent Mode Configuration

{
  "ai.agentMode": {
    "enabled": true,
    "maxSteps": 50,
    "confirmDestructiveActions": true,
    "allowTerminalCommands": true,
    "allowFileCreation": true,
    "allowFileDeletion": false,
    "allowGitOperations": true,
    "timeoutMinutes": 30
  }
}

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Understanding Agent Behavior

The Agent Loop

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                     AGENT LOOP                          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  1. ANALYZE: Understand the goal and context            │
│       ↓                                                 │
│  2. PLAN: Break into actionable steps                   │
│       ↓                                                 │
│  3. EXECUTE: Perform the current step                   │
│       ↓                                                 │
│  4. VERIFY: Check if step succeeded                     │
│       ↓                                                 │
│  5. DECIDE: Continue, retry, or ask for help            │
│       ↓                                                 │
│  [Loop back to step 3 until goal achieved]              │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

What Agent Mode Can Do

File Operations:

• Create new files and directories
• Modify existing code
• Rename and move files
• Delete files (with confirmation)

Terminal Commands:

• Run build scripts
• Execute tests
• Install dependencies
• Start development servers

Git Operations:

• Create branches
• Stage and commit changes
• Push to remote
• Create pull requests

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Mastering Agent Prompts

For foundational prompting skills, see our best prompts for beginners guide.

Prompt Structure for Agent Mode

The best Agent Mode prompts follow this structure:

[GOAL]: What you want to achieve
[CONTEXT]: Relevant background information
[CONSTRAINTS]: What to avoid or limitations
[SUCCESS CRITERIA]: How to know it's done

Example Prompts

Bad Prompt:

Add authentication

Good Prompt:

Goal: Add JWT authentication to our Express API

Context:
- Backend is in /src/server using Express
- We have a User model in /src/models/user.ts
- Using PostgreSQL database

Constraints:
- Use jsonwebtoken library
- Don't modify the database schema
- Keep existing endpoints working

Success Criteria:
- POST /auth/register creates new user
- POST /auth/login returns JWT token
- Protected routes require valid token
- Tests pass for all new endpoints

Prompt Templates

Feature Implementation:

Implement [feature name] for [component/module].

Requirements:
- [Requirement 1]
- [Requirement 2]

Use existing patterns from [reference file].
Write tests in [test location].

Bug Fix:

Fix [bug description] in [file/component].

Current behavior: [what happens now]
Expected behavior: [what should happen]
Steps to reproduce: [how to trigger]

Add regression test to prevent recurrence.

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Real-World Agent Mode Examples

Example 1: Building a REST API

Perfect for API development projects:

Prompt:

Create a CRUD API for blog posts.

Context:
- Express server in src/server/index.ts
- Prisma ORM with PostgreSQL

Requirements:
- GET /posts - list all with pagination
- GET /posts/:id - get single post
- POST /posts - create post (auth required)
- PUT /posts/:id - update (author only)
- DELETE /posts/:id - delete (author only)

Include input validation with Zod and unit tests.

Agent Execution:

Step 1/12: Creating Prisma schema for Post model
  ✓ Added Post model to schema.prisma
  
Step 2/12: Running Prisma migration
  $ npx prisma migrate dev --name add_posts
  ✓ Migration successful
  
Step 3/12: Creating post validation schemas
  ✓ Created src/server/validators/post.ts
  
... [continues until complete]

Example 2: React Component Development

For React and TypeScript projects:

Prompt:

Create a UserDashboard component with:
- User profile header with avatar
- Stats cards (posts, followers, likes)
- Recent activity feed
- Settings dropdown

Use our existing Card and Button components.
Follow TypeScript strict mode.
Add Storybook stories.

Example 3: Full-Stack Feature

Prompt:

Build a complete notification system:

1. Backend:
   - Notification model
   - WebSocket server
   - REST endpoints

2. Frontend:
   - NotificationBell component
   - NotificationPanel dropdown
   - Real-time updates

Use existing patterns. Write tests.

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Agent Mode with MCP Servers

Agent Mode becomes even more powerful with MCP servers. Browse our MCP directory for configurations.

Enhanced Capabilities

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": { "..." },
    "postgres": { "..." },
    "slack": { "..." }
  }
}

Example with MCP:

Create a feature branch, implement dark mode toggle,
commit changes, create PR, and post to #dev Slack channel.

Agent with MCP executes:

1. github: Create branch "feature/dark-mode"
2. filesystem: Create ThemeToggle.tsx
3. filesystem: Update global styles
4. terminal: Run tests
5. github: Commit and push changes
6. github: Create pull request
7. slack: Post update to #dev

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Advanced Agent Techniques

Technique 1: Iterative Refinement

Instead of one big prompt, use iterative refinement:

Round 1: "Create basic user registration form"
Round 2: "Add form validation with error messages"
Round 3: "Add password strength indicator"
Round 4: "Add email verification flow"

Technique 2: Context Priming

Prime the agent with context before the main task:

First, read and understand these files:
- src/components/Form.tsx (our form patterns)
- src/hooks/useForm.ts (form handling hook)
- src/styles/forms.css (styling conventions)

Now, create a new contact form following these patterns.

Technique 3: Checkpoint Confirmation

For large tasks, add checkpoints:

Build the checkout flow with checkpoints:

Checkpoint 1: Cart review page
[Wait for approval before continuing]

Checkpoint 2: Shipping information form
[Wait for approval before continuing]

Checkpoint 3: Payment integration
[Wait for approval before continuing]

Technique 4: Constraint-Based Development

Explicitly state what NOT to do:

Refactor the UserService class.

DO:
- Extract methods over 20 lines
- Add TypeScript interfaces
- Improve error handling

DO NOT:
- Change any public method signatures
- Modify the database schema
- Update any test files yet

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Agent Mode Safety

Git Safety Net

Always work with Git:

# Before agent work
git checkout -b feature/agent-task
git stash  # Save uncommitted work

# After agent completes
git diff  # Review all changes
git add -p  # Selectively stage

Confirmation Settings

Configure appropriate confirmations:

{
  "ai.agentMode": {
    "confirmDestructiveActions": true,
    "confirmFileCreation": false,
    "confirmFileDeletion": true,
    "confirmTerminalCommands": true,
    "confirmGitPush": true
  }
}

Monitoring Agent Actions

Watch the agent panel for:

• Files being modified
• Commands being executed
• Decisions being made
• Errors encountered

Interrupt if you see:

• Unexpected file deletions
• Production environment access
• Credential handling
• Infinite loops

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Troubleshooting Agent Mode

For detailed troubleshooting, see our complete troubleshooting guide.

Agent Gets Stuck

Solution 1: Provide more context

You seem stuck. Here's additional context:
- The error is in [specific file]
- We use [specific pattern]
- Try [specific approach]

Solution 2: Break down the task

Let's simplify. Just focus on [smaller subtask] first.

Agent Making Mistakes

Correction prompt:

Stop. That's not quite right. 

The issue is: [explain problem]
The correct approach is: [explain solution]

Undo the last change and try again.

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Best Practices Summary

DO:

• ✅ Use Git branches for agent work
• ✅ Provide clear, specific goals
• ✅ Include success criteria
• ✅ Set appropriate confirmations
• ✅ Review changes before committing
• ✅ Start with smaller tasks to learn

DON'T:

• ❌ Let agent work on production directly
• ❌ Give vague, open-ended prompts
• ❌ Disable all safety confirmations
• ❌ Ignore agent questions
• ❌ Rush without reviewing output

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Next Steps

Continue your Antigravity mastery:

1. Configure MCP Servers - Extend Agent Mode capabilities
2. Browse Use Cases - Real-world implementations
3. Best Practices - Development patterns
4. Explore Prompts - Community-tested prompts
5. Join Community - Share your workflows

Related Guides

• Python Development - Agent Mode for Python
• React Projects - Agent Mode for React
• API Development - Build APIs faster
• TypeScript - Type-safe development

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Last updated: December 2025

Related Articles:

• Complete Installation Guide
• MCP Servers Guide
• VS Windsurf Comparison
• Troubleshooting Guide
• Best Prompts for Beginners
• Antigravity vs Cursor