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Lesson 07 of 38 · Basics - 8 min

AI Basics: What Permissions Mean

Understand common permission words before clicking setup buttons in AI tools.

AI Basics: Start Here

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A permission is a choice that lets an app see or do something. Permission screens often use words like Allow, Connect, Authorise, Install, Enable, Run, Approve, and Continue. These words are not all the same, but they all mean you should slow down and read the screen before clicking.

Infographic

Permission words in plain English

Translate permission buttons before clicking them.

AI Kick Start permission translator image explaining allow, connect, install, run, and approve in beginner language.
Open full-size infographic

What to understand

  • Allow usually means the app may do something it could not do before.
  • Connect usually means link this tool to another account or app.
  • Authorise means give official permission.
  • Install means add software so it can run.
  • Enable means turn a feature on.
  • Run means start a command, script, or action.
  • Approve means you have checked and agreed to the action.
  • Continue means move to the next step. It may still matter, so read the screen.
Visualisation

Permission word translator

Read the word, then ask what it lets the tool see or do.

Plain meaningPause question
AllowLet it do somethingWhat am I allowing?
ConnectLink another appWhat account is linked?
InstallAdd softwareDo I trust this source?
RunStart an actionWhat will happen?
ApproveAgree after checkingHave I checked it?

Step by step

1

Copy the pause question

Write this question: What will this button let the tool see or do?

HintThis one question is useful on almost every permission screen. You are done when the question is written somewhere you will see it.

2

Translate five button words

Write Allow, Connect, Install, Run, and Approve. Next to each, write the plain meaning from this lesson.

HintDo not worry about perfect definitions. Use words you understand. You are done when all five words have a plain meaning next to them.

3

Practise stopping

Say this out loud: If I do not understand the permission, I stop and ask before clicking.

HintStopping is not failure. It is good safety. You are done when saying it out loud feels normal, not embarrassing.

4

Read a real permission menu

Scroll to the Reference screens at the bottom of this lesson. The first screenshot shows a real permission menu with five choices. Next to each choice, write your plain meaning - which one asks you every time, and which one lets the tool act without asking? The second screenshot shows the warning behind the most permissive mode.

HintYou are done when you can say which menu choice you would pick as a beginner and why. (Hint: the one that asks the most questions.)

Reference screens

Course screenshots and visual references for the lesson flow. Re-check the live product before paid delivery or public launch.

Screen reference
A real permission menu in the Claude Code app. Ask permissions, Accept edits, Plan mode, Auto mode, Bypass permissions - five buttons, five different amounts of trust.
A real permission menu in the Claude Code app. Ask permissions, Accept edits, Plan mode, Auto mode, Bypass permissions - five buttons, five different amounts of trust.
The warning behind Auto mode: Claude can modify or delete files without asking. This is why you read the screen before choosing a mode.
The warning behind Auto mode: Claude can modify or delete files without asking. This is why you read the screen before choosing a mode.
A review screen in the Codex app: the tool lists exactly what would change, and a person reads it before agreeing. This is what Approve looks like in real software.
A review screen in the Codex app: the tool lists exactly what would change, and a person reads it before agreeing. This is what Approve looks like in real software.
Hands-on task

Make a small checklist for permission screens: read the button, name what it allows, check the account, ask if unsure.

What you produce

A permission pause checklist.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Clicking the largest or brightest button without reading it.
  • Connecting a real account during practice.
  • Approving a task before checking what will change.
  • Thinking Continue is always harmless.

Key terms

Permission
A choice that lets an app see or do something.
Allow
Let the app do something it could not do before.
Connect
Link one app or account to another tool.
Approve
Agree to an action after checking it.

Resources

Checkpoint

What question should you ask before clicking Allow or Connect?