Capabilities and Access
On macOS, Genie has two visible modes: AGENT and LAYOUT. The current Windows open beta is AGENT-only. ASK, CODE, QUERY, and DATA are not separate modes on either platform; they are capabilities that Genie selects inside AGENT from the meaning of your request.
Old documentation links that contain ask-mode, code-mode, query-mode, or data-mode are kept for compatibility, but those pages describe current AGENT capabilities rather than controls you can select.
The two visible modes
Section titled “The two visible modes”| Mode | Use it for | Access |
|---|---|---|
| AGENT | Questions, investigation, script help, read-only queries, confirmed script runs, and reviewed script or data work | Included for free on macOS and Windows; native authoring and data-write actions require Coding Access |
| LAYOUT | Generating or revising native FileMaker layout objects for reviewed copy and paste | Coding Access on macOS; not available on Windows yet |
Capabilities inside AGENT
Section titled “Capabilities inside AGENT”| Capability | What AGENT does | Free version | Coding Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ask and investigate | Explains scripts, calculations, fields, schema, errors, and FileMaker behavior using relevant context | Complete answers | Complete answers |
| Read-only Query | Uses read-only SQL to return summaries, tables, or charts | Included | Included |
| Run an existing script | Queues one exact existing script only after a fresh native confirmation | Included | Included |
| Calculation AI | Inserts editable expression text after validation and drift checks; never clicks OK | Included | Included |
| Script authoring | Produces complete human-readable steps and calculations | Included | Included |
| Native script workflow | Builds structured script artifacts with Preview, Copy, Create, or Apply | — | Included |
| DATA guidance | Provides mapping, validation, rollback, and pseudocode without executable write SQL | Included | Included |
| Reviewed DATA write | Compiles an exact write plan and presents a native Review & Execute card | — | Included |
| Layout guidance | Explains layout work in ordinary language | Included | Included |
| Native LAYOUT mode | Produces native layout artifacts and copy actions | — | Included |
| QuickCode, external Local MCP, Stage, and Workbench actions | Provides paid coding and external-agent workflows | — | Included |
Free version and Coding Access
Section titled “Free version and Coding Access”The free version does not expire and does not require a licence key. It includes AGENT, read-only FileMaker understanding, read-only Query, Calculation AI, confirmed execution of an existing script, and complete human-readable implementation guidance.
Coding Access adds structured script artifacts, Preview/Copy/Create/Apply, executable DATA plans, external Local MCP, staging, and Workbench actions. On macOS, it also adds LAYOUT and QuickCode.
Genie uses your own model-provider account. Provider credentials and usage charges are separate from the Genie licence.
Safety boundaries
Section titled “Safety boundaries”- A conversational request never silently changes FileMaker.
- Read-only Query cannot become a DATA write.
- Native script and layout work remains review-first.
- DATA execution requires the reviewed card and a fresh native confirmation.
- Running an existing script also requires a fresh native confirmation.
- Raw XML, AST, and structured build JSON are not shown as ordinary user-facing output.