# Parallel Search: unset mode silently defaults to advanced (slowest, priciest) , set turbo or fast

## TL;DR

[Parallel official docs, Search Modes]: unset mode defaults to advanced. For latency-sensitive agent loops set `mode: fast` (~700ms, $1 per 1,000) or `mode: turbo` (~200ms, $1 per 1,000). Use advanced only for multi-hop background work that can tolerate ~3s.

Use this when you run into the situation in the title.

**When not to use this skill:** unrelated tasks. It covers only the procedure above.

## Compatibility

The steps above apply to the commands named in them. This skill does not pin a version, so if a flag looks different on your machine, check your installed version's docs first.

## Details

Switching modes is one parameter change, rest of the request stays the same.

Context: Official docs (Search Modes page): documents the mode default gotcha that trips agents on Parallel's Search API. If you leave `mode` unset you silently get `advanced` (~3s latency, $5 per 1,000 requests) even when you wanted something cheaper and faster.