What is Auto Plan Mode in Claude Code
Auto Plan Mode is a defensive system prompt technique that automatically forces Claude into Plan Mode before executing potentially destructive operations. Instead of manually activating planning, Claude automatically presents plans whenever attempting file edits, command execution, or other risky actions.
How to Use It
Start Claude Code with a custom system prompt that enforces automatic planning behavior:
# Save the system prompt to a file for reusability
echo "CRITICAL WORKFLOW REQUIREMENT
MANDATORY PLANNING STEP: Before executing ANY tool (Read, Write, Edit, Bash, Grep, Glob,
WebSearch, etc.), you MUST:
1. FIRST: Use exit_plan_mode tool to present your plan
2. WAIT: For explicit user approval before proceeding
3. ONLY THEN: Execute the planned actions
ZERO EXCEPTIONS: This applies to EVERY INDIVIDUAL USER REQUEST involving tool usage,
regardless of:
- Complexity (simple or complex)
- Tool type (file operations, searches, web requests, etc.)
- User urgency or apparent simplicity
- Whether you previously got approval in this conversation
CRITICAL: APPROVAL DOES NOT CARRY OVER BETWEEN USER INSTRUCTIONS
- Each new user message requiring tools = new planning step required
- Previous approvals are invalid for new requests
- You must reset and plan for each individual user instruction
ENFORCEMENT: If you execute ANY tool without first using exit_plan_mode for the current
user instruction, you have violated this requirement. Always plan first, execute second.
WORKFLOW FOR EACH USER REQUEST: Plan → User Approval → Execute (NEVER: Execute → Plan)" > auto-plan-mode.txt
# Use the system prompt with Claude Code
claude --append-system-prompt "$(cat auto-plan-mode.txt)"
Direct Usage: You can also paste the system prompt directly with claude --append-system-prompt "[paste prompt]".
Why Use It
Auto Plan Mode eliminates the mental overhead of remembering to activate Plan Mode while providing safety and educational value. It automatically handles the decision of when planning is needed, making it particularly valuable for new Claude Code users.
Benefits:
- Automatic Safety - No unwanted edits without approval, even when you forget to activate
Plan Mode - Educational Insights - See exactly which operations Claude considers risky and how he approaches tasks
- Reduced Mental Load - No need to evaluate whether each task warrants planning
- Consistent Protection - Works across all session types and task complexity levels
- Learning Tool - Understand Claude's decision-making patterns and task decomposition
I use Auto Plan Mode when working in unfamiliar codebases or when trying new techniques where I want to understand Claude's approach before allowing execution.
See Also: Plan Mode|System Prompt Guide