Agent mode

A preset that shapes how the agent operates at runtime — bundles a permission mode with behavioral instructions injected into the system prompt. Examples: a default that prompts on risky calls, a plan mode that blocks edits and steers the agent toward research, an accept-edits mode that auto-approves edits, a bypass permissions mode (colloquially YOLO mode) that auto-approves everything. Can flip mid-session.

Vendor terms: Claude Code calls these "permission modes," Codex calls them "approval modes" — both predate behavioral bundling.

Usage:

"It keeps editing files when I just want a plan."

"Switch to plan mode — it'll block writes and stay in research."

"What about for the AFK run later?"

"Bypass mode, but only inside the sandbox."