Plan Mode

Explore and analyze code safely without making any changes. Plan first, then execute with confidence.

What Is Plan Mode?

Plan Mode is a read-only permission mode where Claude can explore your codebase, analyze code, and propose plans — but cannot write files, run commands, or make any changes. It is the safest way to get Claude's analysis.

How to Activate

Three ways to enter Plan Mode:

• Shift + Tab — Cycle through modes: Normal → Auto-accept → Plan Mode
• Launch directly: claude --permission-mode plan
• Type plan as the first word of your prompt (Claude will stay read-only for that turn)

The Explore → Plan → Code Pattern

The most effective way to use Claude Code for non-trivial tasks:

1. Explore (Plan Mode)

Understand the codebase before touching anything:

plan: I need to add rate limiting to the API.
Explore @src/api/ and @src/middleware/.
What patterns are already used? Where should rate limiting go?

2. Plan (Still Plan Mode)

Ask Claude to produce a detailed implementation plan:

Based on what you found, create a step-by-step plan:
- which files to create/modify
- what tests to write
- what order to implement in
Don't implement yet.

3. Code (Normal Mode)

Switch to Normal mode (Shift + Tab) and execute the plan:

implement the rate limiting plan from above.
commit after each working step.

When to Use Plan Mode

• Onboarding — Exploring a new codebase you just joined
• Bug diagnosis — Tracing issues without accidentally changing code
• Architecture review — Analyzing patterns, dependencies, and tech debt
• Security audit — Scanning for vulnerabilities without modifying anything
• Code review — Reviewing PRs with deep analysis

Tips

• Use @ file references in Plan Mode — Claude can read any file you point to
• Combine with ultrathink for deep architectural analysis
• The plan Claude produces in Plan Mode carries over when you switch to Normal mode
• If you only need read-only for one turn, prefix your prompt with plan: instead of switching modes

Next Steps

• Workflows — See Plan Mode in action in complete workflows
• Debugging — Use Plan Mode for safe bug diagnosis
• Hooks — Automate actions after planning