Experience Modes Overview
An Experience Mode controls which parts of PrimeCal are visible for your current session — the navigation, sidebar, and how much detail Tasks and Calendar show. PrimeCal has three: Production, Focus, and Kid Mode.
Experience Modes change what you see. They do not change your data or permissions. Switching modes never creates, hides, or deletes any event, task, or calendar — it only changes which controls are on screen.
Comparing The Three Modes
| Production | Focus | Kid Mode | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calendar | Full (Month/Week/Timeline) | Full, views still switchable | Simplified, read-only |
| Tasks | Full board + labels + due dates | Simple list, no labels | Simple list, complete-only |
| Navigation | Full (Search, More menu, notifications) | Logo + date + mode switcher only | Replaced entirely by the Kid shell |
| Automation, External Sync, AI Agents | Visible | Hidden | Hidden |
| Creating events/calendars | Allowed | Allowed (via a floating button) | Not allowed |
| Exiting the mode | — | Instant | Requires a PIN |
How To Switch Modes
- Open the mode selector pill in the top-right of the header (next to your profile menu).
- Choose Production or Focus — the switch is instant.
- Choose Kid Mode to hand the device to a child — see Kid Mode for the PIN setup this requires the first time.
You can also change your mode from Profile → Experience, which additionally shows your current mode and lets you manage a Kid Mode PIN. See Profile Page.
When To Use Each Mode
- Production — your default. Use it whenever you want every feature available.
- Focus — use it during deep-work blocks, or if you find the full navigation distracting. See Focus Mode.
- Kid Mode — use it only on a shared family device you're handing to a child ages 4-8. See Kid Mode.
Best Practices
- Switch to Focus mode before a work block instead of trying to ignore extra navigation — the mode does the decluttering for you.
- Set a Kid Mode PIN you'd be comfortable with a child seeing you type in public — assume it isn't fully secret.
- If you share a device with a child, prefer Kid Mode over just trusting them not to click into other tabs.
- Pair a Skin with a Mode for a house rule your kids can recognize by sight — see Skins & Appearance.