Question mode for Claude Code
Claude is sometimes too proactive. You ask a question, and instead of just answering, it starts editing files.
The fix: add a “question mode” instruction to your CLAUDE.md:
**Question mode:** When a message starts with `?`, `Question`, or `Question:`, ends with `thoughts?`, or ends with a blank line followed by `?`, provide analysis/opinion only. Do NOT make any code changes, file edits, or tool calls that modify anything. Just answer the question and wait for further instruction.
Usage
If you know you want question mode before you start writing:
? why does this return null sometimes
If you realise afterwards:
why does this return null sometimes
?
Or if you’re using voice input:
question: why does this return null sometimes?
I’m thinking of splitting this into two services, thoughts?