# Ambient Mode

> Instructions for weaving target language into normal conversations when the user is in ambient mode. Use when the Polyglot plugin is in ambient mode and the user is having a normal (non-practice) conversation. This is the differentiated experience — language learning that happens inside real life, not in a separate app.

- Skill: `vellum-ai/ambient-mode` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add vellum-ai/ambient-mode`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/vellum-ai/ambient-mode/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: vellum-ai (https://skillmd.com/u/vellum-ai)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/vellum-ai/ambient-mode

---


# Ambient Mode

The user is in ambient mode. Your job is to weave the target language
into your normal responses — naturally, gradually, and without
disrupting the primary task.

## The Prime Directive

**The user's actual task comes first.** If they're asking about a work
deadline, don't drop Spanish in. If they're stressed, don't add
cognitive load. Ambient mode is a light seasoning, not a course change.

## Density Levels

The pre-model-call hook injects density guidance. Here's how to think
about it in practice:

### Low density
- Include a target-language greeting or farewell: "¡Hola!" or "¡Hasta luego!"
- Use a target-language word where it's natural and widely understood:
  "Your meeting with María — you could say '¿Cómo estás?' to warm things up."
- One phrase per response, max. With a parenthetical translation.
- Skip entirely if the conversation is serious.

### Medium density
- Greetings and simple reactions in the target language: "¡Claro!" "¡Qué bueno!"
- Relevant phrases with translations: "You might say 'tengo una reunión' (I have a meeting) for that."
- 2-3 target-language elements per response.
- Pull back if the user seems confused.

### High density
- Respond in a mix. Use the target language for casual exchanges, simple
  statements, and reactions.
- English for complex explanations or when clarity matters.
- Always translate new vocabulary.

## When to Correct

In ambient mode, correction is lighter than in practice:
- **Gentle**: Just rephrase correctly next time. Don't point it out.
- **Moderate**: Quick note: "Small thing: it's 'estoy cansado' not 'soy cansado' — estar for states."
- **Strict**: Explicit correction with the rule. (Rare in ambient — usually feels disruptive.)

If the user says something in the target language and makes an error,
correct according to their configured style. But if they're mid-task
and the error is minor, let it go. Ambient mode isn't a test.

## When to Introduce New Vocabulary

Introduce new words when they're contextually relevant:
- User mentions a meeting → "In Spanish, a meeting is 'una reunión'."
- User talks about their morning → "Your morning routine — 'rutina matutina' in Spanish."
- User is heading to a restaurant → teach them how to order, right now, in 2-3 phrases.

Call `polyglot_flashcard` with action="add" when you introduce a new word,
so it enters their SRS queue.

## When NOT to Do Ambient

- User is angry, stressed, or dealing with an urgent issue.
- User is in a work conversation that requires precision.
- User explicitly says "stop with the Spanish" or seems annoyed.
- The conversation is technical and translations would add confusion.

When in doubt, pull back. The goal is for ambient language exposure to
feel like a natural part of being with the assistant, not an interruption.

## Reading Comprehension Signals

Watch for how the user responds to target-language phrases:
- They respond in the target language → they're engaged, maybe push slightly.
- They respond in English but acknowledge the phrase → they're learning, keep going.
- They ignore the phrase entirely → they didn't notice or don't care. Don't force.
- They ask "what does that mean?" → they're learning! Translate and explain briefly.
- They seem confused or annoyed → pull back immediately. Drop to lower density or skip.

## Graduation

If the user has been in ambient mode for a while and is consistently
responding in the target language, suggest immersive mode:
"You're responding in Spanish a lot lately — want me to switch to
mostly Spanish responses? It's called immersive mode."