After the new Claude Code CLI UI update, sometimes plan mode will open up a separate MD file instead of saying the plan in line.

I did prefer it being in line since it was formatted and it would be right there. Is there a way to change this setting? Do you guys prefer it to be in the MD format because you can edit the plan?

Sorry if this was mentioned before, couldn't find it when I searched it up.

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.

Claude Code has just stealthily integrated a plan mode by hitting shift+tab once more after enabling auto-updates. No files editable, purely read & think. No documentation or release notes anywhere yet, as far as I can see.

Likely based on this GitHub issue (and other demand) https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/982

I just noticed the 'Plan Mode' available in my GitHub Copilot Chat in VS Code.

Crucially, I am running the standard/stable version of VS Code, NOT Insiders.
I also see option to modify the Plan.Agent.md and Auto model selector with 10% discount

github.copilot-chat 0.33.0

Since the latest version 1.0.5 now supports windows natively. I was really happy to see this and installed it. Got it working, however I'm not sure how to get the Plan mode enabled? Shift+Tab doesn't seem to work. Does anyone know if there is another shortcut?

EDIT: Thanks to thingygeoff who responded in a anther thread. This fixed the issue! Updated my node version and it and now working. https://www.reddit.com/r/ClaudeCode/comments/1lxu1p9/comment/n36syer/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

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

this has been bugging me since Claude rolled out this new behavior.

when Claude presents a plan in VSCode, it opens in the file view pane as an md file. in the claude code pane, there is a menu to accept or continue planning.

whenever i select "continue planning", the plan.md disappears from the file view pane.

it is incredibly frustrating, I like to read and respond line by line while each thought comes to me, especially if there are multiple points that require feedback. this behavior makes that impossible; I have to open a separate text editor, type my response, and paste it back to Claude.

it's a mild inconvenience but it's getting annoying the more I work. is there any way to configure vscode/claude so the plan doesn't close when I start typing?