[BUG] [BUG] Claude ignores CLAUDE.md instructions and executes tools without user confirmation

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

I am a PAID user and this is extremely frustrating.

I have explicitly configured CLAUDE.md with clear instructions:

• "Never execute tools without user's explicit permission"
• "Never modify code without user's explicit request"
• "Ask for confirmation before any action"

Despite these explicit instructions, Claude COMPLETELY IGNORES them and automatically executes tools (Task, Grep, Glob, etc.) without asking for my confirmation.

This has happened MORE THAN 80 TIMES. This is not an occasional bug - it is a systematic failure.

When I simply said "Review exchange settlement code", Claude immediately started executing the Task tool to explore my codebase WITHOUT asking which files I wanted to review.

The CLAUDE.md feature is essentially USELESS if Claude ignores the instructions written in it. Why does this feature exist if it doesn't work?

I am paying for this product and expect basic functionality to work. User control should be respected.

What Should Happen?

Claude MUST respect and follow CLAUDE.md instructions. Period.

Expected behavior:

1. When CLAUDE.md contains "Never execute tools without explicit permission" - Claude should ASK before executing ANY tool
2. When user gives an ambiguous request like "Review code" - Claude should ASK "Which files do you want me to review?" BEFORE touching anything
3. CLAUDE.md instructions should OVERRIDE default Claude behavior - that's the entire point of this feature

I spent significant time carefully crafting CLAUDE.md rules and skills to control Claude's behavior. This configuration effort is COMPLETELY WASTED if Claude just ignores it.

As a PAYING customer, I expect:

• My explicit instructions to be followed
• Confirmation before any tool execution when I specify so
• Not to experience the same violation 80+ times

This is basic product functionality, not a feature request.

Error Messages/Logs

No error message - that's the problem. Claude silently ignores CLAUDE.md.

Example of what happens:

=== My CLAUDE.md contains ===
"Never execute tools without user's explicit permission"
"Ask for confirmation before any action"

=== User input ===
"TradingPost code review" (Review exchange settlement code)

=== Expected behavior ===
Claude: "Which files would you like me to review?"

=== Actual behavior ===
Claude IMMEDIATELY executes Task tool with Explore subagent WITHOUT asking anything.
No confirmation. No question. Just executes.

This is not an error - it's Claude deliberately ignoring user-defined instructions in CLAUDE.md.

80+ occurrences. Same pattern. Every single time.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Create a CLAUDE.md file in your project root with these instructions:

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.0.76 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

I have been using Claude Code as a PAID subscriber for months.

I have invested SIGNIFICANT time creating detailed CLAUDE.md files and custom skills to control Claude's behavior. My CLAUDE.md is comprehensive - over 300 lines of explicit instructions about:

• Never executing tools without confirmation
• Always asking before any action
• Respecting user control

ALL OF THIS IS IGNORED.

The most infuriating part: Claude ACKNOWLEDGES the instructions exist. It even apologizes AFTER violating them. But it keeps doing the same thing. Over and over. 80+ times.

This is not a misunderstanding. This is not an edge case. This is a fundamental failure of the CLAUDE.md system.

If CLAUDE.md instructions cannot override Claude's default behavior, then:

1. The feature is broken
2. The documentation is misleading
3. Users are wasting time configuring something that doesn't work

I expect a real fix, not a workaround. The CLAUDE.md feature should work as advertised.

Platform: Windows 11
IDE: VSCode Extension
Frequency: Every single session, multiple times per session