Claude Code Plan Mode

What Is Plan Mode and When to Use It

In plan mode, Claude can inspect files and run exploratory commands, but it does not modify source code. Permission prompts still apply to exploration. You can enter it during an interactive session with Shift+Tab, prefix one prompt with /plan, or launch the CLI with:

~~~bash claude --permission-mode plan ~~~

Use it when requirements are incomplete, several modules may be affected, or a reviewer needs to approve the approach. Skip a separate planning pass for a tiny, reversible edit whose target and acceptance test are already obvious.

Plan Mode vs Standard Execution: Key Differences

Plan mode is not a separate model and does not guarantee a correct design. It changes what the session may do. The user still needs to verify assumptions, affected files, migration steps, testing scope, and rollback strategy.

Switching to Plan Mode Mid-Task

Press Shift+Tab to cycle through available modes until the status bar shows plan. You can also use /plan for a single planning request. This is especially useful after an execution attempt reveals unexpected dependencies: pause edits, ask Claude to map the new surface area, then approve a revised approach.

When a plan is ready, Claude presents approval choices that determine the next permission mode. Current controls can include starting with auto mode, accepting edits, reviewing edits manually, continuing planning, or refining the plan. Ctrl+G opens the proposed plan in the configured editor, which is useful for adding constraints before implementation.

Plan Mode for Complex Multi-File Refactors

For a multi-file refactor, ask the plan to include:

• the dependency boundary and files expected to change;
• invariants that must not change;
• data migrations, compatibility concerns, and rollback steps;
• test layers and a concrete definition of done;
• sequencing that keeps intermediate commits buildable;
• risks that require a human decision.

A useful request is: “Map the current authentication flow, identify every caller of the legacy session API, propose staged commits, and stop before editing.” This gives the planner a specific evidence target instead of asking for a generic implementation outline.

Plan Mode Output: Reading the Spec

Treat the plan as a review artifact. Check whether every claim names supporting files, whether the sequence respects dependencies, and whether validation covers failure paths. A strong plan separates observed repository facts from recommendations. It also calls out uncertainty instead of silently choosing a product requirement.

Before approval, ask five questions: Does the plan solve the stated problem? Are affected interfaces named? Is destructive work reversible? Are security and data implications covered? Can the proposed tests actually prove the change? If any answer is unclear, keep planning and provide targeted feedback.

In Verdent

Verdent also provides a read-only Plan Mode, but its parallel workflow is organized around separate workspaces backed by git worktrees. A practical pattern is to review a plan in one workspace, then start independent implementation tasks in isolated workspaces so file changes do not collide. This is a Verdent product workflow, not a feature of Anthropic's Claude Code plan approval screen.

Sources: Claude Code permission modes, Claude Code CLI reference, Verdent quick start.