Fast mode vs Thinking mode
When to use each mode, and what both can do.
Updated 14 July 2026
Both modes answer any question — they differ in how much work happens before the reply.
| Fast | Thinking | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Definitions, quick doubts, summaries | Proofs, multi-step physics/math, tricky code |
| Speed | Fastest | Slower, but more thorough |
| Depth | Short and direct | Step-by-step reasoning, checks its own work |
| Web lookups | For time-sensitive questions | For time-sensitive questions |
Structured study panels
Either mode can open structured panels without leaving the chat when your prompt calls for them — ask for "a flashcard deck on the cardiac cycle" or "5 practice problems on binary search" and EdChat opens the matching tool.
Which should I default to?
Start with Fast. Switch to Thinking when the answer needs rigour — long derivations, "prove that…", debugging, or anything where a shortcut answer has burned you before.