[DOCS] Hooks guide does not document PreToolUse `ask` flooring auto mode for unsandboxed Bash

Documentation Type

Missing documentation (feature not documented)

Documentation Location

https://code.claude.com/docs/en/hooks-guide

Section/Topic

"Combine results from multiple hooks" and the interaction between PreToolUse decisions and auto mode.

Current Documentation

The hooks guide states how multiple PreToolUse hooks merge:

For PreToolUse permission decisions, the most restrictive answer applies, in the order deny, defer, ask, allow.

The permissions page notes that hook decisions do not bypass permission rules, but neither page explains how a hook's ask interacts with auto mode when Bash runs outside the sandbox.

The sandboxing guide describes auto mode evaluating unsandboxed retries via dangerouslyDisableSandbox, not PreToolUse hooks on ordinary unsandboxed Bash.

What's Wrong or Missing?

Claude Code v2.1.211 fixed auto mode overriding a PreToolUse hook's ask decision for unsandboxed Bash. The intended behavior is that a hook returning permissionDecision: "ask" sets a floor: the user still sees a prompt even when the session is in auto mode. That guarantee matters for security-sensitive workflows that use hooks to force human review of shell commands that bypass the sandbox.

Suggested Improvement

In hooks-guide.md under "Combine results from multiple hooks", add a paragraph:

In auto mode, the classifier can approve routine Bash commands without a prompt. A PreToolUse hook that returns "ask" still prompts for that tool call. For unsandboxed Bash, the hook's ask floors the decision so auto mode cannot auto-approve the command. Requires Claude Code v2.1.211 or later.

Add a cross-link from permission-modes.md (auto mode section) to the same note.

Optionally document the edge case in hooks.md under PreToolUse decision control with a min-version: 2.1.211 tag.

Impact

Medium - Makes feature difficult to understand

Additional Context

Affected Pages:
| Page | Line(s) | Context |
|------|---------|---------|
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/hooks-guide | 485 | PreToolUse decision merge order |
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/hooks | ~1500–1510 | PreToolUse permissionDecision reference |
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/permission-modes | — | Auto mode classifier behavior |
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/sandboxing | ~133 | Unsandboxed Bash and auto mode |

Total scope: 4 pages affected

Version: v2.1.211 behavior change.