Auto Mode
Auto mode reduces approval prompts by letting a classifier decide which actions look routine and which look risky.
It is useful when you trust the direction of the task but do not want to approve every ordinary command.
Example
Section titled “Example”claude --permission-mode auto -p "fix all lint errors"When to use it
Section titled “When to use it”- Fixing lint or formatting issues.
- Running repetitive local checks.
- Applying low-risk mechanical changes.
- Long-running work where frequent approvals would stall progress.
When not to use it
Section titled “When not to use it”- Production infrastructure changes.
- Secret handling.
- Database migrations.
- Broad filesystem operations.
- Work where every action deserves review.
Auto mode is not a replacement for permissions. Keep explicit denies for secrets and destructive paths.