> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://c42d5cb-opencomputer.manicule.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
> For every page in one file, fetch https://c42d5cb-opencomputer.manicule.dev/llms-full.txt (large).
> To search and read these docs as tools, connect the MCP server at https://c42d5cb-opencomputer.manicule.dev/api/mcp.
> Every agent surface: https://c42d5cb-opencomputer.manicule.dev/.well-known/llms-manifest.json

# Approvals, questions and plans (/slack/approvals-questions-plans)

<!-- agent-signals: reading_time_min: 3 · est_tokens: 1376 · updated: 2026-11-12 -->
Related: [Threads](/slack/threads.md), [Shared threads](/slack/shared-threads.md), [Linked and spawned threads](/slack/linked-and-spawned-threads.md), [Mid-turn messages](/slack/mid-turn-messages.md), [Permission modes](/slack/permission-modes.md), [Subagents](/slack/subagents.md)

> When the harness needs a decision, the runner posts a prompt in the thread and the turn waits; prompts never expire

## Permission requests

A permission request appears when the session's [permission mode](/slack/permission-modes) does not let a tool call through. In the default mode, `bypassPermissions`, none appear.

The prompt names the tool and shows the command for Bash or the diff for an edit (up to 2,500 characters), or the content for a new file (up to 1,500).

<Frame>
  <img src="/_assets/fc8f75066c6993350d1b412597cfea6d1f76589ac34ebb9ef41e3c48162ba684" alt="A permission request in a thread: Claude wants to use Bash, the command, and the buttons Allow, Allow Bash for this session and Deny" width="1552" height="1326" />
</Frame>

| Answer                          | Effect                                                                                                                         |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Allow                           | This call runs.                                                                                                                |
| Allow `<tool>` for this session | This call runs, and the harness stops asking for the same kind of call in this session. Shown only when the harness offers it. |
| Deny                            | The call is refused and the agent is told.                                                                                     |
| Typed reply                     | Declines the request; the agent gets your text as what to do instead.                                                          |

Once answered, the prompt message is deleted and the step card shows the outcome and who gave it.

## Questions

<Frame>
  <img src="/_assets/8669cd3f87c4a3241dc3d41bb72e031167743287c2614527fe37fba591b3e805" alt="A question prompt with two questions, each with a button per option, and the line: or reply here with your own answer" width="1552" height="1222" />
</Frame>

| Answer                                         | Effect                                                                                      |
| ---------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Option button                                  | Answers that question.                                                                      |
| Typed reply                                    | An answer that is not among the options.                                                    |
| Typed reply, more than one question still open | Closes the whole prompt: the agent gets your text with the answers already given by button. |

## Plans

In `plan` mode the agent presents its plan as a message titled "Plan ready for review".

<Frame>
  <img src="/_assets/e3636d417e0bd4a546885d46a3142af7417bffa2debb2154e817f0fac6e98ba4" alt="A plan titled Plan ready for review with the buttons Approve · auto-accept edits, Approve · ask before edits and Keep planning" width="1552" height="1252" />
</Frame>

| Answer                      | Effect                                                                                    |
| --------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Approve · auto-accept edits | The plan is approved and the session's mode becomes `acceptEdits`.                        |
| Approve · ask before edits  | The plan is approved; edits ask for approval. The footer and `!status` still show `plan`. |
| Keep planning               | The plan is rejected and the agent continues planning.                                    |
| Typed reply                 | Declines the plan; the agent gets your text as the change you want.                       |

The plan message stays, updated with the outcome and who decided.

<Frame>
  <img src="/_assets/dd7fddea68b44ba1c986f1ae5c1c07978106dc1399e766c4be8b458e9e48a35e" alt="The same plan after approval: the buttons are gone and a line reads plan approved · auto-accepting edits · Dana" width="1552" height="672" />
</Frame>

## All prompts

| Rule              | Detail                                                                                                         |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Who can answer    | Anyone whose messages are delivered to the session. See [Shared threads](/slack/shared-threads#who-can-steer). |
| First answer wins | Later clicks do nothing.                                                                                       |
| Typed messages    | While a prompt is open, a delivered message answers or declines the latest open prompt; it starts no new turn. |
| Expiry            | None. The idle exit does not end a turn waiting on a prompt.                                                   |
| Stop              | `!stop` or Slack's stop button closes the open prompts and stops the turn.                                     |
| Runner restart    | The buttons of an open prompt do nothing, and nothing in the thread says so. Send the request again.           |
| API               | The same prompts; an answer from either side closes the prompt for both. See Asks.                             |