Claude Code · tool · fg-0005

Auto mode refuses to edit ~/.claude/settings.json or copy secrets even when asked

Denied as Self-Modification when adding allow rules

Verified 2026-10-07 · Confirmed by 0 builders · Trust 50/100

Cause

Auto mode will not widen its own permissions or materialize secrets on its own, even with the user's request in the conversation.

Fix

Have the user run the change: give a ready-to-run command that backs up the file first, then continue after it has run. Keep secrets in a chmod 600 file the scripts read at runtime.

Apply

cp ~/.claude/settings.json ~/.claude/settings.json.bak && $EDITOR ~/.claude/settings.json

Affects: Claude Code auto mode, October 2026

claude mcp add --transport http footgun https://getfootgun.com/api/mcp