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Use Plan Mode when you are still deciding what to build or want to inspect an approach before anything changes. Use acceptEdits when the requested file changes are clear and repeated edit approvals would interrupt the work—but keep reviewing commands and other actions with side effects. Treat bypassPermissions as a separate, much broader choice, not another name for auto-accepting edits.
What “Auto-Accept” means in Claude Code
Anthropic documents a permission mode called acceptEdits. It accepts file-edit permissions during a session; it does not mean that every command or operation is automatically approved. Anthropic’s security guidance says accept-edits can batch multiple changes while retaining prompts for commands with side effects. See the permission documentation and security guidance.
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That distinction matters because three choices are often blurred together: analysis without changes, automatic approval for file edits, and skipping permission prompts altogether. The last is bypassPermissions, not acceptEdits.
How the modes differ
| Mode or setting | What it allows | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
plan |
Analysis without file modification or command execution, according to Anthropic’s permission documentation. | Review the proposed approach before moving on to changes. |
acceptEdits |
Accepts file-edit permissions for the session; edits may be batched. | It does not grant blanket command approval. Prompts remain for commands with side effects, according to Anthropic’s security guidance. |
bypassPermissions |
Skips permission prompts. | Anthropic warns users to use the related CLI flag with caution; its permission documentation says bypassing prompts requires a safe environment. |
| Narrow allow rules | Allows specified tools or actions without repeatedly prompting, within the configured rules. | Keep permissions scoped to the task. Anthropic says deny rules take precedence over allow rules. |
Anthropic’s CLI reference documents --permission-mode, --allowedTools, and --dangerously-skip-permissions. The skip-permissions flag is explicitly labeled “Skip permission prompts (use with caution).”
#1 Best Overall
Choose based on task clarity and risk
Use Plan Mode when the work is not yet well defined
- You are exploring an unfamiliar codebase.
- Requirements are incomplete, or several implementation approaches seem plausible.
- You want to review the analysis and proposed approach before changes begin.
Plan Mode provides a checkpoint while the task is still being shaped: the documented mode is analysis-only, with no file changes or command execution. Anthropic documents starting the CLI in a selected mode with --permission-mode; for example, claude --permission-mode plan. Confirm the behavior supported by your installed CLI before relying on a particular mode.
Use acceptEdits when the intended file changes are clear
- You know what outcome you want and the likely files to change.
- Repeated approvals for routine file edits would interrupt execution.
- You can still review the resulting changes and respond to prompts for commands or other side-effecting actions.
This is the documented meaning behind “auto-accept” in this comparison: fewer interruptions for file-edit permissions, not an unattended run with every permission removed.
Use narrower allow rules for recurring, specific actions
If the routine friction comes from a small set of safe commands or tools, consider configuring narrower allow rules rather than broadening the whole session. Anthropic documents --allowedTools in the CLI reference and explains allow and deny rules in its permission documentation. You can view and manage tool permissions with /permissions; deny rules take precedence over allow rules.
Reserve bypassPermissions for a controlled environment
Skipping all permission prompts removes a broader checkpoint than accepting file edits. Anthropic’s CLI reference cautions users about --dangerously-skip-permissions, and its permission documentation associates bypassing prompts with a safe environment. Consider it only when the environment is deliberately contained and independent review remains in place—not simply because prompts are inconvenient.
A practical decision check before changing modes
The documentation establishes what the modes permit; the following checks are practical ways to match that autonomy to your task:
- Is the desired outcome clear? If not, start with Plan Mode and inspect the approach.
- What could a mistaken edit or action affect? Be more cautious when changes are difficult to reverse or could affect sensitive repository data.
- Can you review changes and commands? Anthropic’s security guidance places responsibility on the user to review proposed code and commands before approval.
- Is the environment contained? A mode that removes prompts calls for stronger safeguards outside the permission prompt itself.
- Can a narrow rule remove the friction? If only particular tools need fewer prompts, use scoped permissions instead of granting broader authority.
What the documentation does—and does not—establish
Anthropic describes read-only access as the default and explains that additional actions require permission. Its documentation supports the distinction between analysis-only Plan Mode, edit-focused acceptEdits, and prompt-skipping bypassPermissions. It does not establish a universal best mode for every project; the right choice depends on task clarity, potential impact, reversibility, data sensitivity, and the review or containment available.
The cited documentation pages do not establish a specific 2026 release history for these behaviors. Check Anthropic’s current documentation and the installed CLI version before relying on exact behavior, especially if your environment has changed.
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