Auto mode
A mode where a approves actions for you. See what it is, how it works, how it is used and what to watch for, with pictures and examples.
What it is
Auto mode is a mode that lets keep working without stopping for routine approvals. Reads and file edits in your working folder are approved right away, and most other actions, such as commands, go to a separate first. The classifier blocks anything that goes beyond your request, targets infrastructure it doesn't recognize, or seems driven by hostile text Claude read, such as curl | bash, force pushes or production . It sees your messages, Claude's and your CLAUDE.md, but tool results are removed, so a harmful file or web page can't talk it into saying yes.
How it works
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Switch to auto mode
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Claude proposes an action
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Classifier allows or blocks it
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Blocked actions return a reason
How to use it
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Shift+Tabcycles permission modes in the . The status bar shows
⏵⏵ auto mode onwhen it is active. -
"defaultMode": "auto"put it under
permissionsin~/.claude/settings.jsonto start in auto mode. It doesn't take effect from the project's.claude/settings.json. -
/permissionsthe Recently denied tab lists blocked actions, and pressing
rretries one with your manual approval. -
Bash(git push *)as an ask ruleexplicit ask rules still make ask you, even in auto mode.
Watch out
Auto mode reduces but does not guarantee safety, so use it for tasks where you trust the general direction. If the classifier blocks 3 actions in a row or 20 in total, auto mode pauses and Claude Code goes back to asking you. While it is on, broad allow rules such as Bash(*) are set aside, and administrators can turn auto mode off for an organization.
Related terms
Original and official docs
This page explains the term in plain words. The original is the authority: if they differ, follow the original.
- See this term in the originalClaude Code Docs — Glossary Anthropic · checked 2026-10-19
- Anthropic — Claude Code docs: Choose a permission mode — Eliminate prompts with auto mode(opens in a new window)
- Anthropic — Claude Code docs: Choose a permission mode — What the classifier blocks by default(opens in a new window)
- Anthropic — Claude Code docs: Choose a permission mode — How auto mode evaluates actions(opens in a new window)
- Anthropic — Claude Code docs: Choose a permission mode — When auto mode falls back(opens in a new window)
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