Permission mode is the control setting that decides when an AI tool must ask a human before it can act. In an agentic coding tool, it governs actions such as editing files, running commands, or accessing sensitive resources. A stricter mode forces more approvals; a looser mode lets the tool proceed after automated checks.
This matters because permission mode defines part of the trust boundary. In security terms, it helps prevent destructive commands, unintended data access, and abuse of the tool by prompt injection or bad model output. If the mode is too permissive, an attacker may be able to steer the system into unsafe actions. If it is too restrictive, users may ignore prompts and approve risky behavior without review.
Defenders should treat permission mode as a policy control, not a convenience setting. Review defaults, choose tighter settings for high-risk projects, and require explicit approval for actions that change code, secrets, or infrastructure.