Optimize Verdent for VS Code to balance speed, cost, and thoroughness based on your workflow requirements. Configure model presets, execution modes, and context management strategies for optimal performance.

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Optimization Areas

  • Model preset selection for cost and performance balance
  • Execution mode configuration for workflow efficiency
  • Context management for large codebases
  • Per-project and workspace-level customization

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Tuning Settings for Your Workflow

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Model Preset Selection

Choose the appropriate model preset based on task complexity and budget:
PresetCostCost EfficiencyBest For
Efficiency~0.3x Balance (70% reduction)3.2x more efficient than SonnetSimple tasks, quick fixes, rapid prototyping
Balance (Default)1x baseline1x baselineGeneral development tasks, everyday coding
Performance1-2x Balance0.5x efficiency (2x cost, 1M context)Complex architectural decisions, intricate refactoring
Additional Models:
  • Claude-4.5-sonnet: Balanced general-purpose model (1x baseline)
  • Claude-4.5-sonnet-1m: Extended context for complex tasks (0.5x efficiency, 2x cost when input exceeds 200k tokens)
  • Claude-4.5-haiku: Fastest, most economical (3.2x more efficient than Sonnet)
  • GPT-5 / GPT-5-codex: Reasoning and creativity focus (Beta, 1.3x more efficient than Sonnet)
  • Minimax-m2: Fast and cost-effective (Beta, free until November 10th)

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Execution Mode Configuration

  • Full autonomy without approval prompts
  • No interruptions for permissions
  • Highest risk - use only in automated environments

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Think Hard Mode

Enable for complex reasoning tasks:
  • Thoroughness: Maximum reasoning depth for sophisticated problems
  • Speed: Slower due to extended thinking budget
  • Best For: Architectural decisions, complex debugging, intricate analysis

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Speed vs Thoroughness Tradeoffs

Balance execution speed against analysis depth based on task requirements.
Configuration:
  • Model: Efficiency preset (Claude-4.5-haiku)
  • Permission Mode: Auto-Run Mode
  • Execution Mode: Agent Mode for direct execution
  • Use Cases: Quick fixes, routine operations, simple tasks
Benefits:
  • Fastest response times
  • Minimal interruptions
  • 70% cost reduction vs Balance preset
Use Auto-Run Mode for trusted projects to reduce permission prompts while maintaining safety for dangerous operations. This streamlines workflow without sacrificing critical protections.

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Workspace-Level Configuration

Verdent supports per-project and per-workspace configuration for team-wide consistency.

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Project-Specific Configuration

Project Rules (AGENTS.md):
  • Location: Project root directory or workspace folder
  • Scope: Applied only to the current project
  • Version Control: Commit to git for team-wide standards
  • Content: Coding standards, testing requirements, architectural patterns
Example: 
# Project Rules

## Code Standards
- Use TypeScript strict mode
- Generate unit tests for all new functions
- Follow MVC pattern

## Testing
- All endpoints require input validation
- Run tests before committing

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VS Code Workspace Settings

Configure extension settings at workspace level: Location: .vscode/settings.json in workspace root Example: 
{
  "verdent.enableCheckpoints": true
}

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Configuration Priority

When configurations conflict, Verdent applies this priority order:
  1. Project Rules (AGENTS.md) - Highest priority (project-specific)
  2. Workspace Settings - VS Code workspace-level settings
  3. User Rules (VERDENT.md) - Global user preferences
  4. Default Settings - Verdent’s built-in defaults

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Project-Specific Customization

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Context Management for Large Projects

  • Delegate complex operations to subagents with separate context windows
  • Only subagent results consume main context, not entire process
  • Prevents main context from filling with implementation details

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Performance Optimization

Enable Checkpoints Selectively: The verdent.enableCheckpoints setting uses git for version control:
  • May impact performance on very large repositories
  • Enable only when checkpoint functionality is needed
  • Disable for maximum performance on large codebases
Enable Checkpoints selectively for critical tasks only, excessive checkpointing slows workflows without adding value.
Model Selection:
  • Use Efficiency preset (Haiku) for simple, isolated tasks
  • Reserve Performance preset (Sonnet-1M) for context-heavy operations
  • Balance preset for general work
Execution Mode:
  • Auto-Run Mode reduces context consumed by permission prompts
  • Skip Permissions Mode maximizes efficiency for automated environments
Multi-workspace scenarios automatically apply appropriate project rules when switching workspaces. No manual configuration switching required.
Multi-workspace configurations let you optimize settings per project type, development vs production, monorepo vs microservices.

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See Also

Configuration Settings

Complete configuration options and model selection

Resource Monitoring

Monitor performance and optimize token usage