Plan Mode
Use Plan Mode to architect features before writing code — reduce hallucinations, catch mistakes early, and ship with confidence.
Plan Mode transforms Claude Code from a reactive assistant into a thoughtful architect. Instead of executing code changes immediately, Claude first proposes a detailed plan, lets you review and refine it, then executes only after your approval. This single feature eliminates the most common frustration with AI coding tools: unwanted changes you have to undo.
Plan Mode is not just for safety — it is a feature architecture tool. This article shows how to use the plan-feedback-refine-execute loop to break down complex features into precise implementation steps before a single line of code is written. You will see a real workflow from feature request to deployed code, with examples of how to give feedback that produces better plans.
CLAUDE.md gives Claude persistent knowledge about your project — your stack, patterns, conventions, and file locations. Plan Mode forces Claude to show its work before modifying anything. Together, they form a two-layer defense against hallucinations: CLAUDE.md prevents bad plans, and Plan Mode catches whatever slips through. This article shows how to set up and maintain both for maximum accuracy.