goose/documentation/docs/guides/goose-permissions.md

---
sidebar_position: 3
title: Goose Permissions
---

import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs';
import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';

# Managing Goose Modes

Goose’s permissions determine how much autonomy it has when modifying files, using extensions, and performing automated actions. By selecting a permission mode, you have full control over how Goose interacts with your development environment.

## Permission Modes

| Mode             | Description                                                                                             | Best For                                                                               |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Auto Mode**    | Goose can modify files, use extensions, and delete files **without requiring approval**.                | Users who want **full automation** and seamless integration into their workflow.       |
| **Approve Mode** | Goose **asks for confirmation** before modifying, creating, deleting files and before using extensions. | Users who want to **review and approve** changes and extension use before they happen. |
| **Chat Mode**    | Goose **only engages in chat**, with no extension use or file modifications.                            | Users who prefer a **conversational AI experience** without automation.                |

:::warning
`Auto Mode` is applied by default.
:::

## Configuring Goose Mode

Here's how to configure:

<Tabs groupId="interface">
  <TabItem value="cli" label="Goose CLI" default>
    1. Run the following command:

    ```sh
    goose configure
    ```

    2. Select `Goose Settings` from the menu and press Enter.

    ```sh
    ┌ goose-configure
    │
    ◆ What would you like to configure?
    | ○ Configure Providers
    | ○ Add Extension
    | ○ Toggle Extensions
    | ○ Remove Extension
    // highlight-start
    | ● Goose Settings (Set the Goose Mode, Tool Output, Experiment and more)
    // highlight-end
    └
    ```

    3. Choose `Goose Mode` from the menu and press Enter.

    ```sh
    ┌   goose-configure
    │
    ◇  What would you like to configure?
    │  Goose Settings
    │
    ◆  What setting would you like to configure?
    // highlight-start
    │  ● Goose Mode (Configure Goose mode)
    // highlight-end
    |  ○ Tool Output
    └
    ```

    4.  Choose the Goose mode you would like to configure.

    ```sh
    ┌   goose-configure
    │
    ◇  What would you like to configure?
    │  Goose Settings
    │
    ◇  What setting would you like to configure?
    │  Goose Mode
    │
    ◆  Which Goose mode would you like to configure?
    // highlight-start
    │  ● Auto Mode
    // highlight-end
    |  ○ Approve Mode
    |  ○ Chat Mode
    |
    └  Set to Auto Mode - full file modification enabled
    ```

  </TabItem>
  <TabItem value="ui" label="Goose Desktop">

    1. Click `...` in the upper right corner
    2. Click `Settings`
    3. Scroll down to `Others` section
    4. Under `Mode Selection`, choose the mode you'd like

    :::info
    If you choose `Approve` mode, you will see "Allow" and "Deny" buttons in your session windows during tool calls with write operations.
    :::

  </TabItem>
</Tabs>


## Smart Approve

Goose introduces the **Smart Approve** feature when the Goose mode is set to `Approve`. With Smart Approve enabled, Goose evaluates the risk level of a tool call before execution.

- **If the tool call is deemed risky (e.g. tool requires Goose to write)**, Goose will prompt you for confirmation before proceeding.
- **If the tool call is considered safe**, Goose will execute it directly without any notification.

This feature is enabled by default. If you wish to disable Smart Approve, you can

1. Run the following command:

```sh
goose configure
```

2. Select `Goose Settings` from the menu and press Enter.

```sh
┌ goose-configure
│
◆ What would you like to configure?
| ○ Configure Providers
| ○ Add Extension
| ○ Toggle Extensions
| ○ Remove Extension
// highlight-start
 | ● Goose Settings (Set the Goose Mode, Tool Output, Experiment and more)
// highlight-end
└
```

3. Choose `Toggle Experiment` from the menu and press Enter.

```sh
┌   goose-configure
│
◇  What would you like to configure?
│  Goose Settings
│
◆  What setting would you like to configure?
│  ○ Goose Mode
│  ○ Tool Output
// highlight-start
│  ● Toggle Experiment (Enable or disable an experiment feature)
// highlight-end
└
```

4.  Toggle `GOOSE_SMART_APPROVE` and press Enter.

```sh
┌   goose-configure
┌   goose-configure
│
◇  What would you like to configure?
│  Goose Settings
│
◇  What setting would you like to configure?
│  Toggle Experiment
│
◆  enable experiments: (use "space" to toggle and "enter" to submit)
// highlight-start
│  ◼ GOOSE_SMART_APPROVE
// highlight-end
└
```