Install AutoMode
Install the AutoMode mod for Claude Code in about a minute: ask Claude, type two chat commands, or run one terminal line. Needs Claude Code 2.1.287+.
In short
AutoMode installs in about a minute from its own Claude Code plugin marketplace. Type /plugin marketplace add mralexivy/AutoMode, then /plugin install automode@automode, then /reload-plugins. You can also run both commands in a terminal with claude plugin, or ask Claude to install it for you. AutoMode needs Claude Code 2.1.287 or later in the terminal, 2.1.286 in the Desktop app, or 2.1.299 in the VS Code extension. It needs no API key, no server and no account: it runs on the Claude login you already have, on a Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise plan or an API key. It starts with every session, on whatever model the session uses. To check it loaded, run /plugin and look for 1 mod active · automode, or run /automode setup for a checklist. If the mod fails to load, Claude Code runs as usual. On Vertex, Bedrock or a gateway, it records routes without changing them.
AutoMode installs from its own plugin marketplace. Pick one of three ways. Each takes about a minute.
The easiest way. Paste this into Claude Code and press Enter:
Install the AutoMode plugin for me: run `claude plugin marketplace add mralexivy/AutoMode` and then `claude plugin install automode@automode`. When both succeed, tell me to run /reload-plugins.Then run /reload-plugins, or restart Claude Code.
Check that it loaded
Open the plugin list
Run /plugin. A line under the tabs reads 1 mod active · automode.
Run the setup checklist
Run /automode setup. It checks that the mod loaded, that the router is on, the activation, the routing mode and the bar. It ends with the one next step.
Send a prompt
Ask a quick question. The bar above the prompt shows the route, such as Low · Haiku. See What the bar shows.
Requirements
- Claude Code 2.1.287 or later in the terminal. Mods are on by default from that version. Tested with Claude Code 2.1.318.
- The Desktop app needs 2.1.286 or later. The VS Code extension needs 2.1.299 or later.
- A Claude login. A Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise plan, or an API key. AutoMode needs no key of its own.
If you set CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_FUNCTION_HOOKS in an early build, remove it. Claude Code 2.1.287 and later ignores it.
If the mod does not load
Claude Code runs as usual and nothing breaks. See Troubleshooting.
It starts on its own
There is nothing to turn on. AutoMode starts with every session after you install it and run /reload-plugins. It routes on whatever model the session uses, so you do not pick a special model.
AutoMode used to start only when the model ID ended in [1m]. Claude Code 2.1.311 removes that suffix before a mod sees the model, so the rule never fired. The old rule is still there as "activation": "picker" in config.json, for builds that keep the suffix.
The mod loads, but routing only records what it would do. AutoMode verified its cache behavior on the Anthropic API and Claude plans only. On Vertex, Bedrock, Foundry or a custom ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL, the router runs in shadow mode unless you set "allowUnverifiedProviders": true in config.json.
In ~/.claude/plugins/data/automode/. See Privacy for each file and how long it stays.
Next
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AutoMode docs
AutoMode is a free, open source Claude Code mod that picks the model and effort for every prompt. Install it, learn how it routes, and tune it.
Your first session
Your first AutoMode session in Claude Code: a question runs on Haiku, an edit on Sonnet, risky work on Opus with a review. Read the bar and steer a prompt.