No way to disable plan mode — users should be able to opt out

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?

There is no way to disable plan mode. Claude proactively enters plan mode (via EnterPlanMode) for many tasks, and users have no setting or configuration to prevent this behavior.

This is a problem for users who prefer to plan their own way — whether through their own workflow, external tools, or simply giving Claude direct instructions. Being forced into plan mode:

• Interrupts the user's workflow with an unwanted permission prompt
• Adds unnecessary back-and-forth before Claude starts working
• Locks the session into a read-only state that must be explicitly exited
• Can cause session-breaking bugs when combined with context compaction (see #29956, #29725)
• Assumes one planning workflow fits all users — it doesn't

Adding Never use EnterPlanMode to CLAUDE.md is a workaround but not reliable — Claude still enters plan mode in some situations.

What Should Happen?

Users should be able to disable plan mode entirely via settings.json:

{
  "disablePlanMode": true
}

When disabled:

• Claude should never call EnterPlanMode proactively
• The /plan command can remain available for users who want to opt in manually
• Claude should proceed directly with tasks instead of asking to enter plan mode

Steps to Reproduce

1. Start a Claude Code session
2. Ask Claude to implement a non-trivial feature
3. Claude calls EnterPlanMode and asks for permission before doing any work
4. There is no setting to prevent this behavior

Claude Model

All models

Is this a regression?

No, plan mode has never had a disable option

Platform

All platforms

Operating System

All

Additional Information

Related issues:

• #29956 — Context auto-compaction re-enters plan mode without user request
• #29725 — Plan mode breaks CLI session
• #18599 — Request to change default plan mode exit option
• #21292 — Claude makes edits without leaving plan mode

Many users have their own planning workflows and don't need Claude to impose one. A simple opt-out setting would solve this.