Agentic Mode vs Interactive Mode

When to let Claude Code work on its own and when to supervise every step.

Claude Code runs in two different modes. Knowing the difference makes you far more effective with it.

Interactive Mode

You follow every step and approve it
Ideal for sensitive tasks
Slower but more control
Instant rollback if it gets something wrong
Suited to beginners

Agentic Mode

It works independently on long tasks
Ideal for refactoring and wide ranging fixes
Faster, but you watch from a distance
It stops at important decisions
For experienced users

Important Warning

In Agentic Mode, Claude Code may edit dozens of files in one pass. Make sure you have a clean git repository (git status clean) before running it on large tasks.

PromptRunning Agentic Mode

Do a full refactor of the /src/components folder:
- Convert every class component into a function component
- Add TypeScript types for the props
- Use React hooks instead of lifecycle methods
Work through all the files without stopping.