# How i-have-adhd Handles the "stop adhd mode" Command > Learn how i-have-adhd handles the stop adhd mode command. It clears formatting and restores defaults to end ADHD mode effectively. - Repository: [Ayoub Ghriss/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd) - Tags: internals - Published: 2026-07-31 --- **The "stop adhd mode" command terminates ADHD mode by clearing persistent formatting rules and restoring default output style after confirming the change in one line.** The **i-have-adhd** skill for AI assistants provides persistent ADHD-friendly formatting throughout a conversation session. When users need to return to standard responses, the repository defines a specific termination trigger in its metadata and hook scripts that resets the output style without requiring a reload. ## Where the Termination Logic Is Defined The termination behavior for **"stop adhd mode"** is governed primarily by the skill's metadata file **[`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)**. According to the source code in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md), the skill description explicitly states it *"stays on until 'stop adhd mode'"*, establishing the command as the canonical off-switch. The "Persistence" section further clarifies that the runtime must *"Turn them off only when the reader says 'stop adhd mode' or 'normal mode'"*. This metadata-driven approach means the conversational harness (whether Claude, OpenAI, or other interfaces) parses incoming messages against these specific termination strings to trigger the disable sequence. ## How "stop adhd mode" Executes Step-by-Step When a user inputs **"stop adhd mode"** or the alternative **"normal mode"**, the system executes a three-phase termination process: 1. **Trigger Detection** – The runtime matches the incoming message against the termination strings defined in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md). 2. **One-Line Confirmation** – Following the directive to *"Confirm in one line"* from the same metadata file, the skill responds with a brief acknowledgment such as *"ADHD mode disabled – returning to normal style."* 3. **Style Reset** – The runtime clears all ADHD-specific formatting rules, immediately restoring the default response style for subsequent conversation turns. This process is session-scoped, meaning the termination affects only the current conversation without modifying persistent configuration files. ## Session Impact vs. Permanent Configuration The repository distinguishes between temporary session termination and permanent disabling through the **[`hooks/always-on.sh`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/always-on.sh)** script and the **`.cursor/adhd.flag`** file. When the always-on flag file exists at `.cursor/adhd.flag`, the hook script [`hooks/always-on.sh`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/always-on.sh) prints a startup banner indicating ADHD mode is active. As documented in [`always-on.sh`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/always-on.sh) at line 29, the banner explicitly notes that *"'stop adhd mode' turns it off for the current session"*—confirming that even with always-on enabled, the termination command remains effective for temporary disabling. To permanently disable the always-on behavior, users must delete the flag file rather than relying on the voice command. The **[`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md)** file reinforces this distinction, reminding users that *"'stop adhd mode' still turns it off for the current session"* without affecting the underlying flag configuration. ## Practical Usage Examples **Basic Session Control** ```text User: /i-have-adhd Assistant: (ADHD-mode output with formatting) … User: stop adhd mode Assistant: ADHD mode disabled – returning to normal style. ``` **Managing Always-On Mode** ```bash # Enable persistent ADHD mode across sessions touch ~/.cursor/adhd.flag # The next response will display the banner from hooks/always-on.sh # To temporarily disable for the current session: # User: stop adhd mode # To permanently disable always-on behavior: rm ~/.cursor/adhd.flag ``` ## Summary - The **"stop adhd mode"** command is defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) as the canonical termination trigger, with **"normal mode"** accepted as an alternative phrase. - Upon detection, the system confirms the change in one line and immediately clears ADHD-specific formatting rules to restore default output style. - The termination is **session-scoped**—it disables the mode for the current conversation without removing the `.cursor/adhd.flag` file or affecting permanent configuration. - When always-on mode is enabled via the flag file, [`hooks/always-on.sh`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/always-on.sh) continues to document that the stop command affects only the current session. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What happens if I say "stop adhd mode" but the always-on flag is set? The skill disables ADHD mode for the current session only. According to [`hooks/always-on.sh`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/always-on.sh), the termination command affects only the active conversation, meaning the next session will re-enable ADHD mode if the `.cursor/adhd.flag` file remains present. To stop the mode permanently, delete the flag file. ### Can I use alternative phrases to stop ADHD mode? Yes. While **"stop adhd mode"** is the primary command, the metadata in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) also recognizes **"normal mode"** as a valid termination trigger. Both phrases execute the same three-step process of detection, confirmation, and style reset. ### Do I need to restart the assistant after stopping ADHD mode? No restart is required. As noted in [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md), the command takes effect immediately for the current session. The runtime clears the formatting rules instantly and confirms the change without requiring a plugin reload or application restart. ### Where is the "stop adhd mode" behavior configured? The behavior is configured in **[`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)**, which defines the termination triggers and confirmation requirements. The session-scoped nature of the command is documented in both [`hooks/always-on.sh`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/always-on.sh) and [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md), creating a consistent termination protocol across the codebase.