How-to · how to activate plan mode in claude code
How to activate Plan Mode in Claude Code
Activate Claude Code Plan Mode with Shift+Tab, /plan, or claude --permission-mode plan, then review the proposed plan before edits.
Quick answer
To activate Plan Mode in Claude Code, press Shift+Tab before sending your prompt. For one prompt, prefix it with /plan. To start the whole session in plan mode, run claude --permission-mode plan.
How to use it
Ask for the task, let Claude inspect files and commands, review the proposed steps, then approve, keep planning with feedback or leave Plan Mode before edits start.
When it is worth it
Use Plan Mode for non-trivial tasks with three or more steps, architectural decisions, migrations, auth changes, refactors and unfamiliar code paths.
FAQ
How do I enable Plan Mode in Claude Code?
Press Shift+Tab, prefix a single prompt with /plan, or start Claude Code with claude --permission-mode plan.
What is Plan Mode for?
It lets Claude research and propose a plan without editing files until you approve the plan.