What Is Plan Mode in Claude Code?
How Claude Code Plan Mode works, when to use it, how to enter it, and how to review plans before edits.
Plan Mode is the safe exploration mode for Claude Code. Claude can inspect files, run read-oriented commands, and propose a plan, but it does not edit your source until you approve a path forward.
Last checked on May 24, 2026. Permission mode names and UI labels can change, but the core pattern remains: plan first, approve second, edit third.
Short Answer
Use Plan Mode when the cost of a wrong edit is higher than the cost of planning. For anything touching more than a few files, a short plan is cheaper than a large diff you later revert.
How to Enter Plan Mode
| Interface | How |
|---|---|
| CLI during a session | Press Shift+Tab until the status shows Plan Mode. |
| One prompt | Prefix the task with /plan. |
| CLI startup | claude --permission-mode plan |
| Project default | Set "defaultMode": "plan" in .claude/settings.json under permissions. |
| Web or desktop | Use the mode selector when available. |
What Plan Mode Can and Cannot Do
| Action | Plan Mode behavior |
|---|---|
| Read files | Allowed, subject to permission prompts. |
| Search the repository | Allowed, subject to permissions and tools. |
| Propose changes | Expected. |
| Edit files | Not until you approve an edit mode. |
| Run commands | Can explore, but prompts and rules still apply. |
| Bypass protected paths | No. Protected paths still require safeguards outside bypass mode. |
Good Plan Mode Prompts
Before editing anything, inspect the current route and content structure.
List the files you would change, why each file matters, and any SEO risk.
Wait for my approval before making changes./plan Fix the pricing FAQ so it matches the official Claude pricing structure.
Preserve existing URLs and internal links.Review Checklist
Before approving a plan, check:
- Does it touch only the files needed?
- Does it preserve routes, metadata, and existing content ownership?
- Does it include verification steps?
- Does it avoid risky commands or broad rewrites?
- Does it identify facts that need official source checks?
When Not to Use Plan Mode
Skip Plan Mode for tiny, obvious edits such as typo fixes or a single broken link. Use it for migrations, pricing pages, auth changes, database work, MCP permissions, and anything where the wrong edit can hurt SEO, billing, or security.