Auto mode is now the default in Claude Code

Claude Code will soon default to auto mode for Pro, Max, and Team plans beginning August 14. Users will have a one-time prompt to switch if they've set a different default. Claude Code's auto mode classifier, which adds a small number of extra tokens per tool call, prevents irreversible, destructive, or outside environment actions.

It routes tool calls through a safety classifier, finding safer alternatives or asking for approval when needed. If the classifier blocks something three times in a row or twenty times in a session, Claude falls back to manual approvals. Tests show auto mode matches or outperforms manual review, blocking 89% of dangerous commands that humans only blocked 13.6% of the time.

Auto mode allows Claude to work autonomously for longer periods, increasing productivity. It's currently optional for Claude Enterprise, the Claude API, Claude Platform on AWS, Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud's Agent Platform, and Microsoft Foundry. In a few months, it will be default across all these platforms, with no extra charges for classifier overhead. Enterprises can set auto mode as default through managed settings.