Build features with Claude Code auto mode

Auto mode is built in, so a current install is all you need.

1. 1On a Mac or Linux, run the command below in a terminal. On Windows, use the PowerShell command on the setup page.
2. 2Open a new terminal window and run claude --version.

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

You should see a version number, such as 2.1.300 (Claude Code).

The native install updates itself in the background. Version 2.1.283 and newer start new sessions in auto mode.

Auto mode lets Claude push to any branch and open pull requests, so make it ask you first.

1. 1Open ~/.claude/settings.json in a text editor. Create the file if it doesn't exist.
2. 2Add the ask rules below. If the file already has a permissions block, add the two lines to it.
3. 3Save the file.

{
  "permissions": {
    "ask": [
      "Bash(git push *)",
      "Bash(gh pr create *)"
    ]
  }
}

You should see the file saved with an ask list under permissions.

Ask rules apply even in auto mode. A push written another way, such as git -C [DIR] push, doesn't match the rule.

A separate branch keeps the work apart from main, so you can throw it away if it goes wrong.

1. 1In your project folder, run the commands below. Put your own branch name in place of the brackets.
2. 2Sign in with your Claude account if asked.
3. 3Check the status bar under the prompt. If it doesn't say auto mode on, press Shift+Tab until it does.

git switch -c [FEATURE-BRANCH]
claude --permission-mode auto

You should see ⏵⏵ auto mode on in the status bar.

Claude won't stop to ask much, so the prompt has to carry the scope, the limits and what done means.

1. 1Paste the prompt below and fill in the brackets.
2. 2Name the files, tables or APIs to leave alone, and the exact test command.
3. 3Press Enter and let Claude start.

Build this feature: [WHAT IT SHOULD DO].

Stack: [FRAMEWORK AND KEY LIBRARIES]. Follow the patterns already in this repo.
Don't change: [FILES, SCHEMA OR APIS TO LEAVE ALONE].
When you're done, run [TEST COMMAND] and fix any failures.
Commit to this branch. Don't push or open a pull request until I review.
End with a short summary of what changed and why.

You should see Claude reading files, then editing code and running commands without asking first.

A correction halfway through costs far less than a rewrite at the end.

1. 1Read Claude's updates as it works through the files.
2. 2If it heads the wrong way, type a correction and press Enter.
3. 3Press Esc to stop the current action if you need to.

You should see your test command running, and Claude fixing what fails.

After 3 blocks in a row, or 20 in a session, auto mode pauses and Claude Code asks you again.

Auto mode cuts the prompts, not the review. You still check the code before it ships.

1. 1Run /diff to see everything that changed.
2. 2Ask for fixes in the same session, such as "The login route needs rate limiting."
3. 3When you're happy, push the branch and open a pull request. The rule from step 2 asks you to approve both.

You should see a diff you've read, passing tests and a branch ready for review.