Claude/Code/How To/Enable bypassPermissions in the VS Code Extension

• How To Enable bypassPermissions in the VS Code Extension

  • Overview

    • Enables bypassPermissions in the Claude Code VS Code extension—the UI equivalent of legacy YOLO mode and the CLI flag --dangerously-skip-permissions. [1]
    • For developers who want unattended tool runs without answering every prompt, using extension settings instead of manually launching claude --dangerously-skip-permissions from a terminal.

  • Prerequisites

    • Claude Code VS Code extension installed
    • A recent extension build that exposes permission modes (older builds required the CLI flag instead)
    • A risk posture that accepts skipping permission prompts for tool use in this environment

  • Steps

    • 1. Install or update the extension

      • Install from the VS Code Marketplace or update to the latest Claude Code extension.

    • 2. Open VS Code settings

      • Open Settings (Command Palette → Preferences: Open Settings, or Code → Settings → Settings).

    • 3. Allow dangerously skip permissions

      • Search for Claude Code: Allow Dangerously Skip Permissions and enable the toggle.

    • 4. Set the initial permission mode (optional)

      • Search for Claude Code: Initial Permission Mode and set the value to bypassPermissions so new sessions start in bypass mode. [1]

    • 5. Start or reload a Claude Code session

      • Open Claude Code in the integrated panel; confirm the session mode is bypassPermissions, or cycle modes with Shift+Tab if another mode is active.

  • Devcontainer and Codespaces pattern

    • A common pattern: run VS Code and Claude Code inside the devcontainer or Codespace, keep secrets out of the workspace mount, and use bypass mode only inside that constrained environment. [4]
    • See Claude/Code/Devcontainer and GitHub/Codespace.

  • Troubleshooting

    • Extension lacks bypass settings — update the extension; earlier releases did not expose bypass cleanly and required claude --dangerously-skip-permissions from a terminal. [2]
    • bypassPermissions unavailable — check disableBypassPermissionsMode and managed policy settings on Claude/Code/Settings.
    • Want fewer prompts without full bypass — use auto mode per Claude/Code/--enable-auto-mode, or set defaultMode to auto in settings; auto classifies safe vs dangerous actions. [3]
    • Permission mode names — default, acceptEdits, plan, auto, and bypassPermissions (equivalent to legacy dangerous-skip). [1]

  • Footnotes

    • [1] https://code.claude.com/docs/en/permission-modes

    • [2] https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/8539

    • [3] https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/claude-code-auto-mode

    • [4] https://dev.to/trekhleb/run-claude-codes-dangerously-skip-permissions-safely-with-docker-514d