When initiating a new chat with Claude Code about developing a Windows application, I find that instead of helping craft a plan, Claude often jumps straight into coding at full speed, sometimes before I even outline my ideas.
This has happened multiple times, prompting me to repeatedly press the “stop” button to pause the AI and discuss my approach before it gets too far ahead. Meanwhile, I’m left wondering what parts of the code were generated before I managed to intervene.
Tools like Claude Code, OpenAI’s Codex, and Google’s Antigravity coding apps typically include “planning” modes designed to prevent their AI assistants from rushing into action without input. However, these features don’t always perform as expected, and sometimes it’s easy to forget to activate them altogether.
To prevent Claude Code or similar AI tools from rushing forward when coding, start your prompts with a specific phrase such as:
Stay in pencil and paper mode
Alternatively, you can simply write:
Pencil and paper mode
By including these directives at the beginning of your prompt, you signal to the AI to pause, consult, and discuss your plan before diving into the actual code. From my experience, most AI chatbots recognize “pencil and paper mode” without issue.
For example, I recently used this approach in a Claude Code project:
Stay in pencil and paper mode. What steps are needed to remove the “counter” display in the header?
One might assume that asking “what steps are involved” would prevent the AI from proceeding prematurely, but I’ve noticed Claude Code and Codex sometimes start coding even with such nuanced prompts. However, explicitly stating “pencil and paper mode” makes the instruction clear and effective.
This approach isn’t limited to “vibe coding” — you can use it whenever you want the AI to slow down and consider your instructions carefully, whether you’re drafting a letter or organizing files.
Another prompt with a similar purpose is “ask clarifying questions first,” or simply “ask me questions first,” which prompts the AI to pause and inquire before proceeding. But if you’re seeking a quick analysis without a lengthy exchange, the “pencil and paper mode” prompt remains a straightforward and reliable method.