---
title: "Modes"
description: "Modes are a system for managing tool permissions in the CLI. They can be set via command-line flags at startup or switched dynamically during chat sessions. The following modes are available:"
type: skill
canonical_url: https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/skills/modes-1
source: "Claudary"
difficulty: intermediate
author: "Claude Code Knowledge Pack"
date: 2026-07-10T11:31:10.849Z
license: CC-BY-4.0
attribution: "Modes — Claudary (https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/skills/modes-1)"
---

# Modes
Modes are a system for managing tool permissions in the CLI. They can be set via command-line flags at startup or switched dynamically during chat sessions. The following modes are available:

## Overview

# Modes

Modes are a system for managing tool permissions in the CLI. They can be set via command-line flags at startup or switched dynamically during chat sessions. The following modes are available:

## Available Modes

### `normal` (default)

The default mode that follows configured permission policies from `permissions.yaml` and command-line overrides without any additional restrictions or mode-specific policies.

- **UI Indicator:** No indicator shown (clean interface for default behavior)
- **Current directory:** Visible in status bar for context
- **Permission behavior:** Uses existing permission policies as configured
- **Backward compatibility:** Existing configurations work unchanged

### `plan`

Planning mode that **completely overrides all user permissions** to enforce read-only access with command execution. This mode prevents file modifications but allows command execution for analysis, regardless of user configuration.

- **Command-line flag:** `--readonly` (for backward compatibility)
- **UI Indicator:** `[plan]` shown in blue
- **Current directory:** Hidden to save space and focus on analysis
- **Permission override:** **Absolute** - excludes write tools (Write, Edit, etc.) and allows read tools (Read, Grep, LS, etc.) and Bash for command execution
- **User config ignored:** Any user `--allow` flags for write tools are overridden

### `auto`

Auto mode that **completely overrides all user permissions** to allow everything without asking. This mode provides maximum automation by bypassing all permission policies and restrictions, regardless of user configuration.

- **Command-line flag:** `--auto` (starts in auto mode)
- **UI Indicator:** `[auto]` shown in green
- **Current directory:** Hidden to save space and focus on automation
- **Permission override:** **Absolute** - allows all tools with `*: allow` policy
- **User config ignored:** Any user `--exclude` flags are overridden - everything is allowed

## Usage

### Command-Line Initialization

Modes can be set when starting the CLI:

```bash
cn --readonly "Help me analyze this code"  # Starts in plan mode
cn --auto "Fix all the linting errors"     # Starts in auto mode
cn "Let me implement this feature"         # Starts in normal mode (default)
```

### Dynamic Mode Switching

Users can switch modes during chat sessions using:

**Keyboard Shortcut:**

- **Shift+Tab** - Cycle through modes: normal → plan → auto → (repeat)

## Implementation

Modes are implemented through the permission system:

- **ToolPermissionService**: Rectifies current mode and tool policies
- **ModeIndicator**: UI component showing current mode (hidden for normal mode)
- **Keyboard shortcuts**: Shift+Tab cycles through modes instantly
- **Backward compatibility**: Existing `--readonly` flag maps to plan mode

### Mode Policy Priority

**Mode policies completely override all other configurations** when in plan or auto mode:

**Plan and Auto modes:**

1. **Mode policies** (absolute override - ignores everything else)

**Normal mode only:**

1. Command-line overrides (`--allow`, `--ask`, `--exclude`)
2. Permission configuration from `permissions.yaml`
3. Default tool policies

### Mode-Specific Behaviors

- **normal**: No mode policies applied, uses existing user configuration; shows current directory
- **plan**: **Absolute override** - excludes write tools (Write, Edit), allows read tools (Read, Grep, LS) and Bash; hides current directory
- **auto**: **Absolute override** - allows all tools with `*: allow` policy; hides current directory

---

Source: [Claudary](https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/skills/modes-1) · https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com