I've been using the planning mode for a while now. It's actually very very good. I now use it almost exclusively when I start working on a new feature.

Here's my workflow:

• Shift + Tab twice to enter the planning mode

• Brainstorming the implementation with Claude, provide feedback on the solution, iterate until I am happy with the solution.

• I use @ reference to help Claude with additional context so it doesn't spend a lot time exploring

• For convenience, I also connect CC to VS Code by using the `/ide` slash command. I open a file in VS, select the lines, and ask CC about the lines.

• I iterate with Claude until I am happy with the solution. After that, Shift + Tab twice to enter auto edit mode. CC will complete the implementation with very little intervention.

I find that with this approach, I don't even need to create PLAN.md anymore. I try to keep the feature iterations small, and commit the changes as soon as the code is working.

Do you have similar experience?

Addendum:

To use the /IDE command, see https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/ide-integrations

https://cuong.io/blog/2025/06/23-claude-code-ide-vs-code

The key for this to be effective is to keep the scope small. Plan what you will do in the next 30 minutes or less.

The workflow It should be

plan > code > debug > commit

plan > code > debug > commit

plan > code > debug > commit

...

This works really well with small and incremental changes.

Pro tip: while waiting for Claude, you can open another terminal and start another Claude. You can have multiple planning sessions at the same time.

For long discussions, you may use the normal mode and just Claude not to make any changes.

Better yet, use the repomix cli to create a dump of your project.

https://github.com/yamadashy/repomix

You then can upload it to ChatGPT or Claude Web UI for long discussions. Chatgpt's project + canvas feature is super neat for this kind of long planning.

Maybe you miss it:

Plan mode is a special operating mode in Claude Code that allows you to research, analyze, and create implementation plans without making any actual changes to your system or codebase.

What Plan Mode Does:

Research & Analysis Only:

• Read files and examine code

• Search through codebases

• Analyze project structure

• Gather information from web sources

• Review documentation

No System Changes:

• Cannot edit files

• Cannot run bash commands that modify anything

• Cannot create/delete files

• Cannot make git commits

• Cannot install packages or change configurations

When Plan Mode Activates:

Plan mode is typically activated when:

• You ask for planning or analysis before implementation

• You want to understand a codebase before making changes

• You request a detailed implementation strategy

• The system detects you want to plan before executing

How It Works:

1. Research Phase: I gather all necessary information using read-only tools

2. Plan Creation: I develop a comprehensive implementation plan

3. Plan Presentation: I use the exit_plan_mode tool to present the plan

4. User Approval: You review and approve the plan

5. Execution Phase: After approval, I can proceed with actual implementation

Benefits:

• Safety: Prevents accidental changes during exploration

• Thorough Planning: Ensures comprehensive analysis before implementation

• User Control: You approve exactly what will be done before it happens

• Better Outcomes: Well-planned implementations tend to be more successful

Maybe you missed:

To activate PLAN MODE hit Shift + TAB and again Shift + TAB

Plan mode is a special operating mode in Claude Code that allows you to research, analyze, and create implementation plans without making any actual changes to your system or codebase.

What Plan Mode Does:

Research & Analysis Only:

• Read files and examine code

• Search through codebases

• Analyze project structure

• Gather information from web sources

• Review documentation

No System Changes:

• Cannot edit files

• Cannot run bash commands that modify anything

• Cannot create/delete files

• Cannot make git commits

• Cannot install packages or change configurations

When Plan Mode Activates:

Plan mode is typically activated when:

• You ask for planning or analysis before implementation

• You want to understand a codebase before making changes

• You request a detailed implementation strategy

• The system detects you want to plan before executing

How It Works:

1. Research Phase: I gather all necessary information using read-only tools

2. Plan Creation: I develop a comprehensive implementation plan

3. Plan Presentation: I use the exit_plan_mode tool to present the plan

4. User Approval: You review and approve the plan

5. Execution Phase: After approval, I can proceed with actual implementation

Benefits:

• Safety: Prevents accidental changes during exploration

• Thorough Planning: Ensures comprehensive analysis before implementation

• User Control: You approve exactly what will be done before it happens

• Better Outcomes: Well-planned implementations tend to be more successful

Hey guys,

I'm just interested in your method for implementing these modes.

It's not very well documented. As far as I can see, it goes more with the vibe of your prompt to decide when to go into plan mode, when to engage ultrathink.

I personally use +ultrathink +opus as a suffix on many of my prompts, and sometimes (but not often) use +plan or /plan

Any thoughts? Any way to reliably force the issue, or is it more a case of Claude going "Hmmm, user posted '++++ULTRATHINK ULTRATHINK ULTRATHINK, suggesting they want me to think carefully about this task..."