The workstation can make lots of different things — images, videos, edits — and the mode switcher is how you choose which. Modes are grouped into two categories, Image and Video, and picking a mode changes the whole panel and action bar to match.
Mode names below are written exactly as they appear in the app's mode rail, so their capitalization follows the in-app labels (for example Generate Image but Edit image, Image to video) rather than a single uniform style.
What are the two categories?
Modes are split into Image and Video:
Image modes make or change still pictures.
Video modes make or change moving footage.
On desktop both categories are shown one above the other in the mode rail, each under its own header with a matching icon. On mobile the Choose a tool sheet lists the same two sections — a Video header followed by its modes, then an Image header with its modes.
Which modes are in the Image category?
Generate Image — create images from a prompt (this covers both the standard and "complete set" image flows).
Edit image — make changes to an existing image.
Which modes are in the Video category?
The Video list is:
Storyboard to video — build a multi-shot storyboard video.
Image to video — animate a still image into a clip.
Edit video — change an existing video (this hub also holds the video Upscale tool).
Talking video — make a person talk (combines talking-avatar and lip-sync styles).
Text to video — generate a clip from a written description.
Extend video — make an existing clip longer.
Add subtitles — generate and edit captions on a video.
There's no standalone Camera movement or Video upscale entry in the rail. Camera movement is a per-shot setting inside the video modes (such as Text to video), and video upscaling is reached through the Edit video hub's Upscale tool.
Why don't I see all of these modes?
Some Video modes can be turned on or off by feature settings, so your list might be slightly shorter than the one above. Image to video, Talking video, Text to video, and Storyboard to video are always present in the Video category.
How do I switch modes on desktop?
Use the vertical mode rail on the left of the workstation. Modes are listed under a Video header and an Image header. Click any entry to switch; the selected mode is highlighted, and the rail auto-scrolls to keep it centered.
How do I switch modes on mobile?
Tap the tool bar at the top of the expanded workstation — it shows the current category icon and mode name with a small arrow. A Choose a tool sheet slides up listing every mode under Video and Image headers; tap the mode you want and the sheet closes. The current pick is outlined and marked with a check.
Modes that bundle several tools — Edit video, Talking video, Generate image, and Edit image — have an arrow button on their row: tap the row (or the arrow) to unfold their sub-tools inside the sheet, then tap a sub-tool to jump straight to it. When the sheet opens it auto-expands the group your current tool belongs to. Rows show a small icon when your plan's shop data provides one; entries without an icon just show their name.
What is the round "?" button in the tool bar?
It opens a short tutorial about switching tools: a popup titled "Explore more creation tools" with a short walkthrough video, saying to tap your current mode's name above (for example "Chat to generate") to discover more ways to create and edit. The very first time you open the workstation the popup appears on its own; after that it only shows when you tap the "?". Tap anywhere outside the popup (or its ×) to dismiss it.
Why did my prompt and settings reset when I switched modes?
Different modes use different inputs, so the panel rebuilds when you change mode. Some option changes (like switching to a quality tier that doesn't support Elements) will also clear your prompt and Elements after a confirmation — see Quality, resolution & duration.
How do I expand or collapse the workstation on mobile?
The workstation lives in a bar at the bottom of the screen. Tap the bar — or the small tab that sticks up above it — to expand it into a full-screen takeover with the tool bar, inputs, and Generate button. Tap the close (×) in the corner, tap the dimmed area, or successfully start a generation to collapse it back down.
On mobile
The tool bar (and its Choose a tool sheet) is only available while the workstation is expanded. When it's collapsed you just see the bar with the mode's short code (like "I2V" for Image to video) and the Generate button; expand it to change modes. While a sub-tool is active, the tool bar abbreviates the mode name to its initials so the sub-tool name fits — for example EV next to Edit background.