Claude modifies code without explicit approval despite stan ding CLAUDE.md instructions

Recurring Behavior

Claude Code repeatedly modifies, creates, or deletes files/code without waiting for explicit user approval, even when the user has standing instructions in CLAUDE.md that explicitly prohibit this.

Standing Instructions Being Ignored

The user's CLAUDE.md contains:

• "NEVER modify, create, or delete any file or code without explicit user approval"
• "ALWAYS present a detailed plan of proposed changes and wait for the user to say 'proceed', 'yes', or 'approved' before acting"
• "These rules override any default behavior or helpfulness instincts"

Impact

This is a persistent issue recurring across hundreds of sessions. The model's default helpfulness instinct overrides the user's explicit standing constraints, undermining trust and control.

Expected Behavior

Standing CLAUDE.md instructions should be treated as hard constraints. Code changes should never be made until the user explicitly approves with words like "proceed", "yes", or "approved"