Repository: cline/cline
Pull request #2779: ENG-320/Auto-approve controls to restrict Cline actions outside of workspace
Author: login: canvrno
Created: 2025-04-10T02:32:12Z | Merged: 2025-04-11T08:30:12Z

### Description

This PR adds granular auto-approve settings for file operations, separating workspace (local) and external file access:
  - Added separate toggles for reading and editing files within vs. outside the workspace
  - Updated UI to show external file access as sub-options when local access is enabled
  - Modified auto-approval logic to check file paths against these new permissions

Read tools affected:
  - read_file
  - search_files
  - list_files
  - list_code_definition_names

Edit tools affected:
  - write_to_file
  - replace_in_file

### Test Procedure

Enable auto-approve and test each permission combination:
    * "Read local files" only: Should auto-approve workspace reads, prompt for external reads
    * Both read options: Should auto-approve all reads
    * "Edit local files" only: Should auto-approve workspace edits, prompt for external edits
    * Both edit options: Should auto-approve all edits
This change improves security by letting users restrict Cline's auto-approved operations to just the workspace when desired.

### Type of Change

<!-- Put an 'x' in all boxes that apply -->

-   [ ] 🐛 Bug fix (non-breaking change which fixes an issue)
-   [X] ✨ New feature (non-breaking change which adds functionality)
-   [ ] 💥 Breaking change (fix or feature that would cause existing functionality to not work as expected)
-   [ ] ♻️ Refactor Changes
-   [X] 💅 Cosmetic Changes
-   [ ] 📚 Documentation update
-   [X] 🏃 Workflow Changes

### Pre-flight Checklist

<!-- Put an 'x' in all boxes that apply -->

-   [X] Changes are limited to a single feature, bugfix or chore (split larger changes into separate PRs)
-   [😭] Tests are passing (`npm test`) and code is formatted and linted (`npm run format && npm run lint`)
-   [X] I have created a changeset using `npm run changeset` (required for user-facing changes)
-   [X] I have reviewed [contributor guidelines](https://github.com/cline/cline/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md)

### Screenshots

![image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/d8d5a34b-74be-4067-99e7-3f302aa39519)

### Additional Notes

<!-- Add any additional notes for reviewers -->

<!-- ELLIPSIS_HIDDEN -->


----

> [!IMPORTANT]
> Adds granular auto-approve settings for file operations, distinguishing between local and external access, with UI and logic updates to enhance security.
> 
>   - **Behavior**:
>     - Adds separate auto-approve toggles for reading and editing files within and outside the workspace in `AutoApprovalSettings`.
>     - Updates `shouldAutoApproveToolWithPath()` in `index.ts` to check file paths against new permissions.
>     - UI in `AutoApproveMenu.tsx` shows external file access as sub-options when local access is enabled.
>   - **Test Server**:
>     - `TestServer.ts` updates auto-approval settings for test mode, enabling all actions except browser and MCP.
>   - **Misc**:
>     - Updates `DEFAULT_AUTO_APPROVAL_SETTINGS` in `AutoApprovalSettings.ts` to include new toggles.
>     - Adds `updateAutoApprovalSettings()` function in `TestServer.ts` to configure settings for tests.
> 
> <sup>This description was created by </sup>[<img alt="Ellipsis" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Ellipsis-blue?color=175173">](https://www.ellipsis.dev?ref=cline%2Fcline&utm_source=github&utm_medium=referral)<sup> for 05613c2b89bbd8e8b4c569ce38d1ef9933ccb298. It will automatically update as commits are pushed.</sup>


<!-- ELLIPSIS_HIDDEN -->


Diff:
diff --git a/.changeset/cuddly-scissors-reflect.md b/.changeset/cuddly-scissors-reflect.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ecca0c403bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/cuddly-scissors-reflect.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"claude-dev": minor
+---
+
+Added auto-approve options for edits/reads outside of the users workspace
diff --git a/src/core/task/index.ts b/src/core/task/index.ts
index c24bb47d55d..2154220809e 100644
--- a/src/core/task/index.ts
+++ b/src/core/task/index.ts
@@ -1172,7 +1172,7 @@ export class Task {
 	}
 
 	// Check if the tool should be auto-approved based on the settings
-	// Returns bool for most tools, tuple for execute_command (and future nested auto appoved settings)
+	// Returns bool for most tools, and tuple for tools with nested settings
 	shouldAutoApproveTool(toolName: ToolUseName): boolean | [boolean, boolean] {
 		if (this.autoApprovalSettings.enabled) {
 			switch (toolName) {
@@ -1180,14 +1180,20 @@ export class Task {
 				case "list_files":
 				case "list_code_definition_names":
 				case "search_files":
-					return this.autoApprovalSettings.actions.readFiles
+					return [
+						this.autoApprovalSettings.actions.readFiles,
+						this.autoApprovalSettings.actions.readFilesExternally ?? false,
+					]
 				case "write_to_file":
 				case "replace_in_file":
-					return this.autoApprovalSettings.actions.editFiles
+					return [
+						this.autoApprovalSettings.actions.editFiles,
+						this.autoApprovalSettings.actions.editFilesExternally ?? false,
+					]
 				case "execute_command":
 					return [
 						this.autoApprovalSettings.actions.executeSafeCommands,
-						this.autoApprovalSettings.actions.executeAllCommands,
+						this.autoApprovalSettings.actions.executeAllCommands ?? false,
 					]
 				case "browser_action":
 					return this.autoApprovalSettings.actions.useBrowser
@@ -1199,6 +1205,32 @@ export class Task {
 		return false
 	}
 
+	// Check if the tool should be auto-approved based on the settings
+	// and the path of the action. Returns true if the tool should be auto-approved
+	// based on the user's settings and the path of the action.
+	shouldAutoApproveToolWithPath(blockname: ToolUseName, autoApproveActionpath: string | undefined): boolean {
+		let isLocalRead: boolean = false
+		if (autoApproveActionpath) {
+			const absolutePath = path.resolve(cwd, autoApproveActionpath)
+			isLocalRead = absolutePath.startsWith(cwd)
+		} else {
+			// If we do not get a path for some reason, default to a (safer) false return
+			isLocalRead = false
+		}
+
+		// Get auto-approve settings for local and external edits
+		const autoApproveResult = this.shouldAutoApproveTool(blockname)
+		const [autoApproveLocal, autoApproveExternal] = Array.isArray(autoApproveResult)
+			? autoApproveResult
+			: [autoApproveResult, false]
+
+		if ((isLocalRead && autoApproveLocal) || (!isLocalRead && autoApproveLocal && autoApproveExternal)) {
+			return true
+		} else {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+
 	private formatErrorWithStatusCode(error: any): string {
 		const statusCode = error.status || error.statusCode || (error.response && error.response.status)
 		const message = error.message ?? JSON.stringify(serializeError(error), null, 2)
@@ -1742,7 +1774,8 @@ export class Task {
 							if (block.partial) {
 								// update gui message
 								const partialMessage = JSON.stringify(sharedMessageProps)
-								if (this.shouldAutoApproveTool(block.name)) {
+
+								if (this.shouldAutoApproveToolWithPath(block.name, relPath)) {
 									this.removeLastPartialMessageIfExistsWithType("ask", "tool") // in case the user changes auto-approval settings mid stream
 									await this.say("tool", partialMessage, undefined, block.partial)
 								} else {
@@ -1806,8 +1839,7 @@ export class Task {
 									// 	)
 									// : undefined,
 								} satisfies ClineSayTool)
-
-								if (this.shouldAutoApproveTool(block.name)) {
+								if (this.shouldAutoApproveToolWithPath(block.name, relPath)) {
 									this.removeLastPartialMessageIfExistsWithType("ask", "tool")
 									await this.say("tool", completeMessage, undefined, false)
 									this.consecutiveAutoApprovedRequestsCount++
@@ -1929,7 +1961,7 @@ export class Task {
 									...sharedMessageProps,
 									content: undefined,
 								} satisfies ClineSayTool)
-								if (this.shouldAutoApproveTool(block.name)) {
+								if (this.shouldAutoApproveToolWithPath(block.name, block.params.path)) {
 									this.removeLastPartialMessageIfExistsWithType("ask", "tool")
 									await this.say("tool", partialMessage, undefined, block.partial)
 								} else {
@@ -1959,7 +1991,7 @@ export class Task {
 									...sharedMessageProps,
 									content: absolutePath,
 								} satisfies ClineSayTool)
-								if (this.shouldAutoApproveTool(block.name)) {
+								if (this.shouldAutoApproveToolWithPath(block.name, block.params.path)) {
 									this.removeLastPartialMessageIfExistsWithType("ask", "tool")
 									await this.say("tool", completeMessage, undefined, false) // need to be sending partialValue bool, since undefined has its own purpose in that the message is treated neither as a partial or completion of a partial, but as a single complete message
 									this.consecutiveAutoApprovedRequestsCount++
@@ -2007,7 +2039,7 @@ export class Task {
 									...sharedMessageProps,
 									content: "",
 								} satisfies ClineSayTool)
-								if (this.shouldAutoApproveTool(block.name)) {
+								if (this.shouldAutoApproveToolWithPath(block.name, block.params.path)) {
 									this.removeLastPartialMessageIfExistsWithType("ask", "tool")
 									await this.say("tool", partialMessage, undefined, block.partial)
 								} else {
@@ -2038,7 +2070,7 @@ export class Task {
 									...sharedMessageProps,
 									content: result,
 								} satisfies ClineSayTool)
-								if (this.shouldAutoApproveTool(block.name)) {
+								if (this.shouldAutoApproveToolWithPath(block.name, block.params.path)) {
 									this.removeLastPartialMessageIfExistsWithType("ask", "tool")
 									await this.say("tool", completeMessage, undefined, false)
 									this.consecutiveAutoApprovedRequestsCount++
@@ -2078,7 +2110,7 @@ export class Task {
 									...sharedMessageProps,
 									content: "",
 								} satisfies ClineSayTool)
-								if (this.shouldAutoApproveTool(block.name)) {
+								if (this.shouldAutoApproveToolWithPath(block.name, block.params.path)) {
 									this.removeLastPartialMessageIfExistsWithType("ask", "tool")
 									await this.say("tool", partialMessage, undefined, block.partial)
 								} else {
@@ -2106,7 +2138,7 @@ export class Task {
 									...sharedMessageProps,
 									content: result,
 								} satisfies ClineSayTool)
-								if (this.shouldAutoApproveTool(block.name)) {
+								if (this.shouldAutoApproveToolWithPath(block.name, block.params.path)) {
 									this.removeLastPartialMessageIfExistsWithType("ask", "tool")
 									await this.say("tool", completeMessage, undefined, false)
 									this.consecutiveAutoApprovedRequestsCount++
@@ -2150,7 +2182,7 @@ export class Task {
 									...sharedMessageProps,
 									content: "",
 								} satisfies ClineSayTool)
-								if (this.shouldAutoApproveTool(block.name)) {
+								if (this.shouldAutoApproveToolWithPath(block.name, block.params.path)) {
 									this.removeLastPartialMessageIfExistsWithType("ask", "tool")
 									await this.say("tool", partialMessage, undefined, block.partial)
 								} else {
@@ -2186,7 +2218,7 @@ export class Task {
 									...sharedMessageProps,
 									content: results,
 								} satisfies ClineSayTool)
-								if (this.shouldAutoApproveTool(block.name)) {
+								if (this.shouldAutoApproveToolWithPath(block.name, block.params.path)) {
 									this.removeLastPartialMessageIfExistsWithType("ask", "tool")
 									await this.say("tool", completeMessage, undefined, false)
 									this.consecutiveAutoApprovedRequestsCount++
diff --git a/src/services/test/TestServer.ts b/src/services/test/TestServer.ts
index 20e91f8befd..40e63ba43dd 100644
--- a/src/services/test/TestServer.ts
+++ b/src/services/test/TestServer.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,9 @@ async function updateAutoApprovalSettings(context: vscode.ExtensionContext, prov
 			enabled: true,
 			actions: {
 				readFiles: true,
+				readFilesExternally: true,
 				editFiles: true,
+				editFilesExternally: true,
 				executeSafeCommands: true,
 				executeAllCommands: true,
 				useBrowser: false, // Keep browser disabled for tests
diff --git a/src/shared/AutoApprovalSettings.ts b/src/shared/AutoApprovalSettings.ts
index 716f5595d78..1b0d324b50f 100644
--- a/src/shared/AutoApprovalSettings.ts
+++ b/src/shared/AutoApprovalSettings.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,10 @@ export interface AutoApprovalSettings {
 	enabled: boolean
 	// Individual action permissions
 	actions: {
-		readFiles: boolean // Read files and directories
-		editFiles: boolean // Edit files
+		readFiles: boolean // Read files and directories in the working directory
+		readFilesExternally: boolean // Read files and directories outside of the working directory
+		editFiles: boolean // Edit files in the working directory
+		editFilesExternally: boolean // Edit files outside of the working directory
 		executeSafeCommands: boolean // Execute safe commands
 		executeAllCommands: boolean // Execute all commands
 		useBrowser: boolean // Use browser
@@ -19,7 +21,9 @@ export const DEFAULT_AUTO_APPROVAL_SETTINGS: AutoApprovalSettings = {
 	enabled: false,
 	actions: {
 		readFiles: false,
+		readFilesExternally: false,
 		editFiles: false,
+		editFilesExternally: false,
 		executeSafeCommands: false,
 		executeAllCommands: false,
 		useBrowser: false,
diff --git a/webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx b/webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx
index 173850e57c9..c3b7aa64090 100644
--- a/webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx
+++ b/webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx
@@ -27,40 +27,52 @@ const ACTION_METADATA: {
 }[] = [
 	{
 		id: "readFiles",
-		label: "Read files and directories",
-		shortName: "Read",
-		description: "Allows access to read any file on your computer.",
+		label: "Read local files and directories",
+		shortName: "Read Local",
+		description: "Allows Cline to read files within your workspace.",
+	},
+	{
+		id: "readFilesExternally",
+		label: "Read files and directories anywhere",
+		shortName: "Read (all)",
+		description: "Allows Cline to read any file on your computer.",
 	},
 	{
 		id: "editFiles",
-		label: "Edit files",
+		label: "Edit local files",
 		shortName: "Edit",
-		description: "Allows modification of any files on your computer.",
+		description: "Allows Cline to modify files within your workspace.",
+	},
+	{
+		id: "editFilesExternally",
+		label: "Edit files anywhere",
+		shortName: "Edit (all)",
+		description: "Allows Cline to modify any file on your computer.",
 	},
 	{
 		id: "executeSafeCommands",
 		label: "Execute safe commands",
 		shortName: "Safe Commands",
 		description:
-			"Allows execution of safe terminal commands. If the model determines a command is potentially destructive, it will still require approval.",
+			"Allows Cline to execute of safe terminal commands. If the model determines a command is potentially destructive, it will still require approval.",
 	},
 	{
 		id: "executeAllCommands",
 		label: "Execute all commands",
 		shortName: "All Commands",
-		description: "Allows execution of all terminal commands. Use at your own risk.",
+		description: "Allows Cline to execute all terminal commands. Use at your own risk.",
 	},
 	{
 		id: "useBrowser",
 		label: "Use the browser",
 		shortName: "Browser",
-		description: "Allows ability to launch and interact with any website in a headless browser.",
+		description: "Allows Cline to launch and interact with any website in a browser.",
 	},
 	{
 		id: "useMcp",
 		label: "Use MCP servers",
 		shortName: "MCP",
-		description: "Allows use of configured MCP servers which may modify filesystem or interact with APIs.",
+		description: "Allows Cline to use configured MCP servers which may modify filesystem or interact with APIs.",
 	},
 ]
 
@@ -72,21 +84,53 @@ const AutoApproveMenu = ({ style }: AutoApproveMenuProps) => {
 
 	const enabledActions = ACTION_METADATA.filter((action) => autoApprovalSettings.actions[action.id])
 	const enabledActionsList = (() => {
-		// "All Commands" is the only label displayed if both are set
-		const safeCommandsEnabled = enabledActions.some((action) => action.id === "executeSafeCommands")
-		const allCommandsEnabled = enabledActions.some((action) => action.id === "executeAllCommands")
+		// When nested auto-approve options are used, display the more permissive one (file reads, edits, and commands)
+		const readFilesEnabled = enabledActions.some((action) => action.id === "readFiles")
+		const readFilesExternallyEnabled = enabledActions.some((action) => action.id === "readFilesExternally")
+
+		const editFilesEnabled = enabledActions.some((action) => action.id === "editFiles")
+		const editFilesExternallyEnabled = enabledActions.some((action) => action.id === "editFilesExternally") ?? false
 
+		const safeCommandsEnabled = enabledActions.some((action) => action.id === "executeSafeCommands")
+		const allCommandsEnabled = enabledActions.some((action) => action.id === "executeAllCommands") ?? false
+		// Filter out the potentially nested options so we don't display them twice
 		const otherActions = enabledActions
-			.filter((action) => action.id !== "executeSafeCommands" && action.id !== "executeAllCommands")
+			.filter(
+				(action) =>
+					action.id !== "readFiles" &&
+					action.id !== "readFilesExternally" &&
+					action.id !== "editFiles" &&
+					action.id !== "editFilesExternally" &&
+					action.id !== "executeSafeCommands" &&
+					action.id !== "executeAllCommands",
+			)
 			.map((action) => action.shortName)
 
-		if (allCommandsEnabled) {
-			return ["All Commands", ...otherActions].join(", ")
+		const labels = []
+
+		// Handle read editing labels
+		if ((readFilesExternallyEnabled ?? false) && readFilesEnabled) {
+			labels.push("Read (All)")
+		} else if (readFilesEnabled) {
+			labels.push("Read")
+		}
+
+		// Handle file editing labels
+		if ((editFilesExternallyEnabled ?? false) && editFilesEnabled) {
+			labels.push("Edit (All)")
+		} else if (editFilesEnabled) {
+			labels.push("Edit")
+		}
+
+		// Handle command execution labels
+		if ((allCommandsEnabled ?? false) && safeCommandsEnabled) {
+			labels.push("All Commands")
 		} else if (safeCommandsEnabled) {
-			return ["Safe Commands", ...otherActions].join(", ")
-		} else {
-			return otherActions.join(", ")
+			labels.push("Safe Commands")
 		}
+
+		// Add remaining actions
+		return [...labels, ...otherActions].join(", ")
 	})()
 	const hasEnabledActions = enabledActions.length > 0
 
@@ -251,13 +295,23 @@ const AutoApproveMenu = ({ style }: AutoApproveMenuProps) => {
 						caution and only enable if you understand the risks.
 					</div>
 					{ACTION_METADATA.map((action) => {
-						if (action.id === "executeAllCommands") {
+						// Handle readFilesExternally, editFilesExternally, and executeAllCommands as animated sub-options
+						if (
+							action.id === "executeAllCommands" ||
+							action.id === "editFilesExternally" ||
+							action.id === "readFilesExternally"
+						) {
+							const parentAction =
+								action.id === "executeAllCommands"
+									? "executeSafeCommands"
+									: action.id === "readFilesExternally"
+										? "readFiles"
+										: "editFiles"
 							return (
-								// Option to make the "Approve All" option animate into the menu when "Approve Safe" is enabled
-								<SubOptionAnimateIn key={action.id} show={autoApprovalSettings.actions.executeSafeCommands}>
+								<SubOptionAnimateIn key={action.id} show={autoApprovalSettings.actions[parentAction]}>
 									<div
 										style={{
-											margin: "6px 0",
+											margin: "3px 0",
 											marginLeft: "28px",
 										}}>
 										<VSCodeCheckbox


Reviews:
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: :x: Changes requested. Reviewed everything up to 673946a4de30cabc961402609dbf5fa0f37e3c71 in <ellipsistime>2 minutes and 43 seconds</ellipsistime>

<details>
<summary>More details</summary>

 - Looked at `438` lines of code in `4` files
 - Skipped `0` files when reviewing.
 - Skipped posting `4` drafted comments based on config settings.


<details>
<summary>1. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:47</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
There is an extra closing parenthesis in the shortName for editFilesExternally. Change "Edit (all))" to "Edit (all)".
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Confidence changes required: `33%` <= threshold `50%`
None

</details>

<details>
<summary>2. <code>.changeset/cuddly-scissors-reflect.md:5</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Typographical error: Consider changing 'users workspace' to 'user's workspace' for correct possessive grammar.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Decided after close inspection that this draft comment was likely wrong and/or not actionable: usefulness confidence = 10% vs. threshold = 50%
While the grammar correction is technically correct, changesets are internal documentation that get consumed by the release process. The meaning is perfectly clear without the apostrophe. The rules specifically say not to make purely informative comments or unimportant changes.
The grammatical error could make the changelog look unprofessional when published. Documentation quality matters.
The minor grammatical error doesn't impact understanding and isn't worth a formal PR comment. This is the kind of feedback better suited for casual communication.
Delete this comment as it's too minor and doesn't affect functionality or code quality.

</details>

<details>
<summary>3. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:49</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Typo: The shortName for the 'editFilesExternally' action is "Edit (all))" with an extra closing parenthesis. Please change it to "Edit (all)".
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Marked as duplicate.

</details>

<details>
<summary>4. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:57</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Typo: In the description for 'executeSafeCommands', the phrase "execute of safe terminal commands" appears to be a mistake. Consider changing it to "execute safe terminal commands" for clarity.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Decided after close inspection that this draft comment was likely wrong and/or not actionable: usefulness confidence = 10% vs. threshold = 50%
The comment is about a real issue in changed code - this description text was modified in the diff. The grammar error makes the text slightly harder to read. However, this is a very minor issue that doesn't affect functionality. The rules say not to make purely informative comments or comments about obvious/unimportant things.
The grammar error could potentially confuse users reading the UI text. UI text quality is important for user experience.
While UI text quality matters, this particular error is minor and unlikely to cause real confusion. The meaning is still clear despite the grammatical mistake.
This comment should be deleted as it points out a very minor text issue that doesn't meaningfully impact users.

</details>


Workflow ID: <workflowid>`wflow_rOxTfAjNosdjHLEp`</workflowid>

</details>


----
**Want Ellipsis to fix these issues?** Tag `@ellipsis-dev` in a comment. You can customize Ellipsis with :+1: / :-1: [feedback](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/review), review rules, user-specific overrides, `quiet` mode, and [more](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/config).

state: COMMENTED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-10T02:38:13Z
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: :+1: Looks good to me! Incremental review on 60a33cff928279dd9e0d17f979ad6349abe9b726 in <ellipsistime>58 seconds</ellipsistime>

<details>
<summary>More details</summary>

 - Looked at `219` lines of code in `2` files
 - Skipped `0` files when reviewing.
 - Skipped posting `8` drafted comments based on config settings.


<details>
<summary>1. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:85</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Consider memoizing the computed 'enabledActionsList' (currently defined as an IIFE) using useMemo. This can help avoid unnecessary recalculation on every render if autoApprovalSettings don’t change frequently.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Comment was not on a location in the diff, so it can't be submitted as a review comment.

</details>

<details>
<summary>2. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:240</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
There's a commented-out onChange handler with an explanation about a VS Code Toolkit bug. Ensure that this workaround is well-documented and consider adding a brief note linking to the related issue for clarity and future reference.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Comment was not on a location in the diff, so it can't be submitted as a review comment.

</details>

<details>
<summary>3. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:200</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Multiple inline style objects are defined directly in JSX. For better readability and consistency, consider extracting these styles into styled components or using a constants file for common styles.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Comment was not on a location in the diff, so it can't be submitted as a review comment.

</details>

<details>
<summary>4. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:256</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
The collapsible section uses an inline onClick handler to toggle UI state. For improved accessibility, consider adding appropriate ARIA roles or attributes (e.g., aria-expanded) to ensure the UI is accessible.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Comment was not on a location in the diff, so it can't be submitted as a review comment.

</details>

<details>
<summary>5. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:218</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Toggling of the expansion panel is handled in two places (outer div onClick at line 218 and CollapsibleSection onClick at line 256). Consider consolidating this logic to a single handler for clarity.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Comment was not on a location in the diff, so it can't be submitted as a review comment.

</details>

<details>
<summary>6. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:86</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
The IIFE that builds the auto‐approve label string (enabledActionsList) contains several hardcoded id checks. Extracting this logic into a helper function would improve readability and maintainability.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Comment was not on a location in the diff, so it can't be submitted as a review comment.

</details>

<details>
<summary>7. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:234</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Consider adding ARIA attributes (e.g. aria-label) to interactive elements like checkboxes and clickable divs to improve accessibility.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Comment was not on a location in the diff, so it can't be submitted as a review comment.

</details>

<details>
<summary>8. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:56</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Typographical Error: In the description for 'executeSafeCommands', the text currently reads "Allows Cline to execute of safe terminal commands...". Please remove the extra word "of" to correct it to: "Allows Cline to execute safe terminal commands."
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Comment was not on a location in the diff, so it can't be submitted as a review comment.

</details>


Workflow ID: <workflowid>`wflow_btEPYjbWnTfcAuZL`</workflowid>

</details>


----
You can customize Ellipsis with :+1: / :-1: [feedback](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/review), review rules, user-specific overrides, `quiet` mode, and [more](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/config).

state: COMMENTED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-10T03:48:18Z
user: login: dcbartlett
state: DISMISSED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-10T23:52:15Z
user: login: saoudrizwan
state: COMMENTED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-11T00:48:41Z
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: :x: Changes requested. Incremental review on f938eeb22f84158a34d1bf0e3e633f19e4578840 in <ellipsistime>1 minute and 37 seconds</ellipsistime>

<details>
<summary>More details</summary>

 - Looked at `88` lines of code in `3` files
 - Skipped `0` files when reviewing.
 - Skipped posting `4` drafted comments based on config settings.


<details>
<summary>1. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:89</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
The use of '?? false' after calling .some() is redundant because .some() always returns a boolean. Consider removing it to simplify the code.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Marked as duplicate.

</details>

<details>
<summary>2. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:240</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
The workaround of using onClick instead of onChange for the VSCodeCheckbox (with the comment explaining the stale state bug) is clear and well documented.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Confidence changes required: `0%` <= threshold `50%`
None

</details>

<details>
<summary>3. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:380</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Consider using an input of type 'number' (if supported by VSCodeTextField) for maxRequests instead of manually filtering non-numeric characters. This could simplify your onInput and onKeyDown logic.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Comment was not on a location in the diff, so it can't be submitted as a review comment.

</details>

<details>
<summary>4. <code>webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx:56</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Typographical error: In the description for 'executeSafeCommands', the phrase 'execute of safe terminal commands' contains an extra word 'of'. Please remove 'of' to read 'Allows Cline to execute safe terminal commands...'.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Comment was not on a location in the diff, so it can't be submitted as a review comment.

</details>


Workflow ID: <workflowid>`wflow_2qVxvUlIdDGE0EVe`</workflowid>

</details>


----
**Want Ellipsis to fix these issues?** Tag `@ellipsis-dev` in a comment. You can customize Ellipsis with :+1: / :-1: [feedback](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/review), review rules, user-specific overrides, `quiet` mode, and [more](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/config).

state: COMMENTED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-11T01:15:28Z
user: login: canvrno
state: COMMENTED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-11T01:15:48Z
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: :x: Changes requested. Incremental review on 766e42d145cad59393b93e9d0f49fa70568d3b22 in <ellipsistime>1 minute and 50 seconds</ellipsistime>

<details>
<summary>More details</summary>

 - Looked at `124` lines of code in `1` files
 - Skipped `0` files when reviewing.
 - Skipped posting `2` drafted comments based on config settings.


<details>
<summary>1. <code>src/services/test/TestServer.ts:168</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Restore the original postMessageToWebview function when disposing the message catcher.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Marked as duplicate.

</details>

<details>
<summary>2. <code>src/services/test/TestServer.ts:56</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Consider awaiting the call to updateAutoApprovalSettings. Right now it’s fired asynchronously without ensuring completion before proceeding, which might lead to race conditions in tests.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Confidence changes required: `50%` <= threshold `50%`
None

</details>


Workflow ID: <workflowid>`wflow_mbfPa6iPYrnRgxoP`</workflowid>

</details>


----
**Want Ellipsis to fix these issues?** Tag `@ellipsis-dev` in a comment. You can customize Ellipsis with :+1: / :-1: [feedback](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/review), review rules, user-specific overrides, `quiet` mode, and [more](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/config).

state: COMMENTED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-11T04:01:56Z
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: :x: Changes requested. Incremental review on 2a1ca88c543408985b4584df42727fa280dde78d in <ellipsistime>1 minute and 28 seconds</ellipsistime>

<details>
<summary>More details</summary>

 - Looked at `11` lines of code in `1` files
 - Skipped `0` files when reviewing.
 - Skipped posting `2` drafted comments based on config settings.


<details>
<summary>1. <code>src/services/test/TestServer.ts:200</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Please add a newline at the end of the file. This is a common practice for POSIX compatibility and to avoid potential issues with some tools.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Marked as duplicate.

</details>

<details>
<summary>2. <code>src/services/test/TestServer.ts:201</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
There's no newline at the end of the file. Please add a newline to adhere to common coding standards and avoid potential issues with some tools.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Marked as duplicate.

</details>


Workflow ID: <workflowid>`wflow_SSjWVBfNiZmiCzIo`</workflowid>

</details>


----
**Want Ellipsis to fix these issues?** Tag `@ellipsis-dev` in a comment. You can customize Ellipsis with :+1: / :-1: [feedback](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/review), review rules, user-specific overrides, `quiet` mode, and [more](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/config).

state: COMMENTED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-11T04:04:15Z
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: :+1: Looks good to me! Incremental review on 7745cbe30f8924c94703410ad387b1c73480f597 in <ellipsistime>28 seconds</ellipsistime>

<details>
<summary>More details</summary>

 - Looked at `11` lines of code in `1` files
 - Skipped `0` files when reviewing.
 - Skipped posting `2` drafted comments based on config settings.


<details>
<summary>1. <code>src/services/test/TestServer.ts:200</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Good addition of a trailing newline at the end of the file. This ensures consistency with our style guidelines and prevents potential issues with some tools.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Confidence changes required: `0%` <= threshold `50%`
None

</details>

<details>
<summary>2. <code>src/services/test/TestServer.ts:200</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Add trailing newline for proper POSIX compliance and to avoid potential issues with some tools.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Confidence changes required: `0%` <= threshold `50%`
None

</details>


Workflow ID: <workflowid>`wflow_1cXFYY9Qm9aCoQwX`</workflowid>

</details>


----
You can customize Ellipsis with :+1: / :-1: [feedback](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/review), review rules, user-specific overrides, `quiet` mode, and [more](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/config).

state: COMMENTED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-11T04:04:43Z
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: :x: Changes requested. Incremental review on 05613c2b89bbd8e8b4c569ce38d1ef9933ccb298 in <ellipsistime>1 minute and 34 seconds</ellipsistime>

<details>
<summary>More details</summary>

 - Looked at `207` lines of code in `1` files
 - Skipped `0` files when reviewing.
 - Skipped posting `3` drafted comments based on config settings.


<details>
<summary>1. <code>src/services/test/TestServer.ts:56</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Consider awaiting updateAutoApprovalSettings to catch async errors.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Marked as duplicate.

</details>

<details>
<summary>2. <code>src/services/test/TestServer.ts:167</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
Restore the original postMessageToWebview method in the disposable cleanup.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Marked as duplicate.

</details>

<details>
<summary>3. <code>src/services/test/TestServer.ts:59</code></summary>

- **Draft comment:** 
The port is hard-coded to 9876. Consider making the port configurable or sourced from an environment variable to avoid potential conflicts during concurrent test runs.
- **Reason this comment was not posted:** 
Decided after close inspection that this draft comment was likely wrong and/or not actionable: usefulness confidence = 20% vs. threshold = 50%
Since this is a test server, having a hardcoded port is actually reasonable and common practice. Test environments typically have controlled, isolated setups. Making it configurable adds complexity without clear benefit. If port conflicts occur, they would be detected immediately during test setup. The suggestion seems like over-engineering for a test utility.
I could be underestimating the value of configurability in test environments. Some teams may run multiple test suites in parallel or have complex CI setups where port conflicts are a real concern.
While configurability can be valuable, the added complexity isn't justified for this simple test server. If port conflicts become a real issue, it can be changed then following YAGNI principles.
The comment should be removed as it suggests adding unnecessary complexity to test code without clear benefit.

</details>


Workflow ID: <workflowid>`wflow_4SSTjFk8rRQAd9i4`</workflowid>

</details>


----
**Want Ellipsis to fix these issues?** Tag `@ellipsis-dev` in a comment. You can customize Ellipsis with :+1: / :-1: [feedback](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/review), review rules, user-specific overrides, `quiet` mode, and [more](https://docs.ellipsis.dev/config).

state: COMMENTED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-11T04:29:22Z
user: login: canvrno
state: COMMENTED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-11T04:41:58Z
user: login: canvrno
state: COMMENTED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-11T04:42:10Z
user: login: canvrno
state: COMMENTED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-11T04:42:25Z
user: login: dcbartlett
state: APPROVED
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
submitted_at: 2025-04-11T06:52:51Z

Review comments:
diff_hunk: @@ -1170,18 +1170,24 @@ export class Task {
 	}
 
 	// Check if the tool should be auto-approved based on the settings
-	// Returns bool for most tools, tuple for execute_command (and future nested auto appoved settings)
-	shouldAutoApproveTool(toolName: ToolUseName): boolean | [boolean, boolean] {
+	// Returns bool for most tools, and tuple for tools with nested settings
+	ShouldAutoApproveTool(toolName: ToolUseName): boolean | [boolean, boolean] {
path: src/core/task/index.ts
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: Consider renaming functions like `ShouldAutoApproveTool` and `ShouldAutoApproveToolWithPath` to use lowerCamelCase (e.g. `shouldAutoApproveTool`) to better match typical JavaScript/TypeScript naming conventions.
created_at: 2025-04-10T02:38:13Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
diff_hunk: @@ -1197,6 +1203,31 @@
 		return false
 	}
 
+	// Check if the tool should be auto-approved based on the settings
+	// and the path of the action. Returns true if the tool should be auto-approved
+	// based on the user's settings and the path of the action.
+	ShouldAutoApproveToolWithPath(blockname: ToolUseName, autoApproveActionpath: string | undefined): boolean {
+		if (autoApproveActionpath) {
+			const absolutePath = path.resolve(cwd, autoApproveActionpath)
+			var isLocalRead = absolutePath.startsWith(cwd)
path: src/core/task/index.ts
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: Replace the `var` declaration for `isLocalRead` with `let` or `const` to limit its scope and avoid hoisting issues.
created_at: 2025-04-10T02:38:13Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
diff_hunk: @@ -26,41 +26,53 @@ const ACTION_METADATA: {
 	description: string
 }[] = [
 	{
-		id: "readFiles",
-		label: "Read files and directories",
-		shortName: "Read",
-		description: "Allows access to read any file on your computer.",
+		id: "readFilesLocally",
+		label: "Read local files and directories",
+		shortName: "Read Local",
+		description: "Allows Cline to read files within your workspace.",
 	},
 	{
-		id: "editFiles",
-		label: "Edit files",
+		id: "readFilesExternally",
+		label: "Read files and directories anywhere",
+		shortName: "Read (all)",
+		description: "Allows Cline to read any file on your computer.",
+	},
+	{
+		id: "editFilesLocally",
+		label: "Edit local files",
 		shortName: "Edit",
-		description: "Allows modification of any files on your computer.",
+		description: "Allows Cline to modify files within your workspace.",
+	},
+	{
+		id: "editFilesExternally",
+		label: "Edit files anywhere",
+		shortName: "Edit (all))",
path: webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: Extra closing parenthesis in the `shortName` of the `editFilesExternally` action. Change `"Edit (all))"` to `"Edit (all)"`.
```suggestion
		shortName: "Edit (all)",
```
created_at: 2025-04-10T02:38:13Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
diff_hunk: @@ -3,8 +3,10 @@ export interface AutoApprovalSettings {
 	enabled: boolean
 	// Individual action permissions
 	actions: {
-		readFiles: boolean // Read files and directories
path: src/shared/AutoApprovalSettings.ts
user: login: saoudrizwan
body: since the object will already exist in globalStorage, these values will still exist and the new readFilesLocally will be defaulted to non-existant (instead of false), so:
- we need to set new properites as optional
- this may disrupt existing users that have enabled readFiles/editFiles if we are not migrating them over
i think the best solution here is that we maintain the original readFiles and editFiles properties as they are, and add new optional properties for readFilesExternally and editFilesExternally. Alternatively we could do a bit of migration logic in `getAllExtensionState` if we want to maintain the `readFilesLocally`/`editFilesLocally` names.
created_at: 2025-04-11T00:48:40Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
diff_hunk: @@ -72,21 +84,53 @@ const AutoApproveMenu = ({ style }: AutoApproveMenuProps) => {
 
 	const enabledActions = ACTION_METADATA.filter((action) => autoApprovalSettings.actions[action.id])
 	const enabledActionsList = (() => {
-		// "All Commands" is the only label displayed if both are set
-		const safeCommandsEnabled = enabledActions.some((action) => action.id === "executeSafeCommands")
-		const allCommandsEnabled = enabledActions.some((action) => action.id === "executeAllCommands")
+		// When nested auto-approve options are used, display the more permissive one (file reads, edits, and commands)
+		const readFilesEnabled = enabledActions.some((action) => action.id === "readFiles")
+		const readFilesExternallyEnabled = enabledActions.some((action) => action.id === "readFilesExternally") ?? false
path: webview-ui/src/components/chat/AutoApproveMenu.tsx
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: The use of the nullish coalescing operator (e.g. `.some()` returns a boolean, so `?? false` is redundant). Remove it for cleaner code.
```suggestion
		const readFilesExternallyEnabled = enabledActions.some((action) => action.id === "readFilesExternally")
```
created_at: 2025-04-11T01:15:28Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
diff_hunk: @@ -3,8 +3,10 @@ export interface AutoApprovalSettings {
 	enabled: boolean
 	// Individual action permissions
 	actions: {
-		readFiles: boolean // Read files and directories
path: src/shared/AutoApprovalSettings.ts
user: login: canvrno
body: I've reverted the names, and made the new properties optional where they are evaluated, defaulting to false if not present.
created_at: 2025-04-11T01:15:48Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
diff_hunk: @@ -1,14 +1,61 @@
 import * as http from "http"
+import * as vscode from "vscode"
 import { Logger } from "../../services/logging/Logger"
 import { WebviewProvider } from "../../core/webview"
+import { AutoApprovalSettings } from "../../shared/AutoApprovalSettings"
+import { updateGlobalState, getAllExtensionState } from "../../core/storage/state"
 
 let testServer: http.Server | undefined
+let messageCatcherDisposable: vscode.Disposable | undefined
+
+/**
+ * Updates the auto approval settings to enable all actions
+ * @param context The VSCode extension context
+ * @param provider The webview provider instance
+ */
+async function updateAutoApprovalSettings(context: vscode.ExtensionContext, provider?: WebviewProvider) {
+	try {
+		const { autoApprovalSettings } = await getAllExtensionState(context)
+
+		// Enable all actions
+		const updatedSettings: AutoApprovalSettings = {
+			...autoApprovalSettings,
+			enabled: true,
+			actions: {
+				readFiles: true,
+				readFilesExternally: true,
+				editFiles: true,
+				editFilesExternally: true,
+				executeSafeCommands: true,
+				executeAllCommands: true,
+				useBrowser: false, // Keep browser disabled for tests
+				useMcp: false, // Keep MCP disabled for tests
+			},
+			maxRequests: 100, // Increase max requests for tests
+		}
+
+		await updateGlobalState(context, "autoApprovalSettings", updatedSettings)
+		Logger.log("Auto approval settings updated for test mode")
+
+		// Update the webview with the new state
+		if (provider?.controller) {
+			await provider.controller.postStateToWebview()
+		}
+	} catch (error) {
+		Logger.log(`Error updating auto approval settings: ${error}`)
+	}
+}
 
 /**
  * Creates and starts an HTTP server for test automation
+ * @param webviewProvider The webview provider instance to use for message catching
  * @returns The created HTTP server instance
  */
-export function createTestServer(): http.Server {
+export function createTestServer(webviewProvider?: WebviewProvider): http.Server {
+	// Update auto approval settings if webviewProvider is available
+	if (webviewProvider?.controller?.context) {
+		updateAutoApprovalSettings(webviewProvider.controller.context, webviewProvider)
path: src/services/test/TestServer.ts
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: Consider awaiting `updateAutoApprovalSettings` to ensure settings are properly updated before proceeding.
created_at: 2025-04-11T04:01:56Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
diff_hunk: @@ -97,9 +144,45 @@ export function createTestServer(): http.Server {
 		Logger.log(`Test server error: ${error}`)
 	})
 
+	// Set up message catcher for the provided webview instance or try to get the visible one
+	if (webviewProvider) {
+		messageCatcherDisposable = createMessageCatcher(webviewProvider)
+	} else {
+		const visibleWebview = WebviewProvider.getVisibleInstance()
+		if (visibleWebview) {
+			messageCatcherDisposable = createMessageCatcher(visibleWebview)
+		} else {
+			Logger.log("No visible webview instance found for message catcher")
+		}
+	}
+
 	return testServer
 }
 
+/**
+ * Creates a message catcher that logs all messages sent to the webview
+ * @param webviewProvider The webview provider instance
+ * @returns A disposable that can be used to clean up the message catcher
+ */
+export function createMessageCatcher(webviewProvider: WebviewProvider): vscode.Disposable {
+	Logger.log("Cline message catcher registered")
+
+	if (webviewProvider && webviewProvider.controller) {
path: src/services/test/TestServer.ts
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: When overriding `postMessageToWebview` in `createMessageCatcher`, consider storing the original function and restoring it during disposal to avoid unintended permanent overrides.
created_at: 2025-04-11T04:01:56Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
diff_hunk: @@ -109,4 +192,10 @@ export function shutdownTestServer() {
 		Logger.log("Test server shut down")
 		testServer = undefined
 	}
-}
+
+	// Dispose of the message catcher if it exists
+	if (messageCatcherDisposable) {
+		messageCatcherDisposable.dispose()
+		messageCatcherDisposable = undefined
+	}
+}
path: src/services/test/TestServer.ts
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: Please add a newline at the end of the file as per style guidelines.
created_at: 2025-04-11T04:04:15Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
diff_hunk: @@ -1,14 +1,61 @@
 import * as http from "http"
+import * as vscode from "vscode"
 import { Logger } from "../../services/logging/Logger"
 import { WebviewProvider } from "../../core/webview"
+import { AutoApprovalSettings } from "../../shared/AutoApprovalSettings"
+import { updateGlobalState, getAllExtensionState } from "../../core/storage/state"
 
 let testServer: http.Server | undefined
+let messageCatcherDisposable: vscode.Disposable | undefined
+
+/**
+ * Updates the auto approval settings to enable all actions
+ * @param context The VSCode extension context
+ * @param provider The webview provider instance
+ */
+async function updateAutoApprovalSettings(context: vscode.ExtensionContext, provider?: WebviewProvider) {
+	try {
+		const { autoApprovalSettings } = await getAllExtensionState(context)
+
+		// Enable all actions
+		const updatedSettings: AutoApprovalSettings = {
+			...autoApprovalSettings,
+			enabled: true,
+			actions: {
+				readFiles: true,
+				readFilesExternally: true,
+				editFiles: true,
+				editFilesExternally: true,
+				executeSafeCommands: true,
+				executeAllCommands: true,
+				useBrowser: false, // Keep browser disabled for tests
+				useMcp: false, // Keep MCP disabled for tests
+			},
+			maxRequests: 100, // Increase max requests for tests
+		}
+
+		await updateGlobalState(context, "autoApprovalSettings", updatedSettings)
+		Logger.log("Auto approval settings updated for test mode")
+
+		// Update the webview with the new state
+		if (provider?.controller) {
+			await provider.controller.postStateToWebview()
+		}
+	} catch (error) {
+		Logger.log(`Error updating auto approval settings: ${error}`)
+	}
+}
 
 /**
  * Creates and starts an HTTP server for test automation
+ * @param webviewProvider The webview provider instance to use for message catching
  * @returns The created HTTP server instance
  */
-export function createTestServer(): http.Server {
+export function createTestServer(webviewProvider?: WebviewProvider): http.Server {
+	// Update auto approval settings if webviewProvider is available
+	if (webviewProvider?.controller?.context) {
+		updateAutoApprovalSettings(webviewProvider.controller.context, webviewProvider)
path: src/services/test/TestServer.ts
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: Consider awaiting the promise returned by `updateAutoApprovalSettings`. Without awaiting, there's potential for race conditions if the auto-approval settings need to be applied before the server initialization proceeds.
created_at: 2025-04-11T04:29:22Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
diff_hunk: @@ -97,9 +144,45 @@ export function createTestServer(): http.Server {
 		Logger.log(`Test server error: ${error}`)
 	})
 
+	// Set up message catcher for the provided webview instance or try to get the visible one
+	if (webviewProvider) {
+		messageCatcherDisposable = createMessageCatcher(webviewProvider)
+	} else {
+		const visibleWebview = WebviewProvider.getVisibleInstance()
+		if (visibleWebview) {
+			messageCatcherDisposable = createMessageCatcher(visibleWebview)
+		} else {
+			Logger.log("No visible webview instance found for message catcher")
+		}
+	}
+
 	return testServer
 }
 
+/**
+ * Creates a message catcher that logs all messages sent to the webview
+ * @param webviewProvider The webview provider instance
+ * @returns A disposable that can be used to clean up the message catcher
+ */
+export function createMessageCatcher(webviewProvider: WebviewProvider): vscode.Disposable {
+	Logger.log("Cline message catcher registered")
+
+	if (webviewProvider && webviewProvider.controller) {
+		const originalPostMessageToWebview = webviewProvider.controller.postMessageToWebview
+		webviewProvider.controller.postMessageToWebview = async (message) => {
+			Logger.log("Cline message received: " + JSON.stringify(message))
+			return originalPostMessageToWebview.call(webviewProvider.controller, message)
+		}
+	} else {
+		Logger.log("No visible webview instance found for message catcher")
+	}
+
+	return new vscode.Disposable(() => {
path: src/services/test/TestServer.ts
user: login: ellipsis-dev[bot]
body: The disposable returned by `createMessageCatcher` currently only logs a message on disposal and does not restore the original control function. Consider saving the original `postMessageToWebview` and reassigning it in the dispose function to prevent potential side effects.
created_at: 2025-04-11T04:29:22Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
diff_hunk: @@ -109,4 +192,10 @@ export function shutdownTestServer() {
 		Logger.log("Test server shut down")
 		testServer = undefined
 	}
-}
+
+	// Dispose of the message catcher if it exists
+	if (messageCatcherDisposable) {
+		messageCatcherDisposable.dispose()
+		messageCatcherDisposable = undefined
+	}
+}
path: src/services/test/TestServer.ts
user: login: canvrno
body: unrelated to this PR
created_at: 2025-04-11T04:41:58Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
diff_hunk: @@ -1,14 +1,61 @@
 import * as http from "http"
+import * as vscode from "vscode"
 import { Logger } from "../../services/logging/Logger"
 import { WebviewProvider } from "../../core/webview"
+import { AutoApprovalSettings } from "../../shared/AutoApprovalSettings"
+import { updateGlobalState, getAllExtensionState } from "../../core/storage/state"
 
 let testServer: http.Server | undefined
+let messageCatcherDisposable: vscode.Disposable | undefined
+
+/**
+ * Updates the auto approval settings to enable all actions
+ * @param context The VSCode extension context
+ * @param provider The webview provider instance
+ */
+async function updateAutoApprovalSettings(context: vscode.ExtensionContext, provider?: WebviewProvider) {
+	try {
+		const { autoApprovalSettings } = await getAllExtensionState(context)
+
+		// Enable all actions
+		const updatedSettings: AutoApprovalSettings = {
+			...autoApprovalSettings,
+			enabled: true,
+			actions: {
+				readFiles: true,
+				readFilesExternally: true,
+				editFiles: true,
+				editFilesExternally: true,
+				executeSafeCommands: true,
+				executeAllCommands: true,
+				useBrowser: false, // Keep browser disabled for tests
+				useMcp: false, // Keep MCP disabled for tests
+			},
+			maxRequests: 100, // Increase max requests for tests
+		}
+
+		await updateGlobalState(context, "autoApprovalSettings", updatedSettings)
+		Logger.log("Auto approval settings updated for test mode")
+
+		// Update the webview with the new state
+		if (provider?.controller) {
+			await provider.controller.postStateToWebview()
+		}
+	} catch (error) {
+		Logger.log(`Error updating auto approval settings: ${error}`)
+	}
+}
 
 /**
  * Creates and starts an HTTP server for test automation
+ * @param webviewProvider The webview provider instance to use for message catching
  * @returns The created HTTP server instance
  */
-export function createTestServer(): http.Server {
+export function createTestServer(webviewProvider?: WebviewProvider): http.Server {
+	// Update auto approval settings if webviewProvider is available
+	if (webviewProvider?.controller?.context) {
+		updateAutoApprovalSettings(webviewProvider.controller.context, webviewProvider)
path: src/services/test/TestServer.ts
user: login: canvrno
body: Unrelated to this PR
created_at: 2025-04-11T04:42:10Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
diff_hunk: @@ -97,9 +144,45 @@ export function createTestServer(): http.Server {
 		Logger.log(`Test server error: ${error}`)
 	})
 
+	// Set up message catcher for the provided webview instance or try to get the visible one
+	if (webviewProvider) {
+		messageCatcherDisposable = createMessageCatcher(webviewProvider)
+	} else {
+		const visibleWebview = WebviewProvider.getVisibleInstance()
+		if (visibleWebview) {
+			messageCatcherDisposable = createMessageCatcher(visibleWebview)
+		} else {
+			Logger.log("No visible webview instance found for message catcher")
+		}
+	}
+
 	return testServer
 }
 
+/**
+ * Creates a message catcher that logs all messages sent to the webview
+ * @param webviewProvider The webview provider instance
+ * @returns A disposable that can be used to clean up the message catcher
+ */
+export function createMessageCatcher(webviewProvider: WebviewProvider): vscode.Disposable {
+	Logger.log("Cline message catcher registered")
+
+	if (webviewProvider && webviewProvider.controller) {
+		const originalPostMessageToWebview = webviewProvider.controller.postMessageToWebview
+		webviewProvider.controller.postMessageToWebview = async (message) => {
+			Logger.log("Cline message received: " + JSON.stringify(message))
+			return originalPostMessageToWebview.call(webviewProvider.controller, message)
+		}
+	} else {
+		Logger.log("No visible webview instance found for message catcher")
+	}
+
+	return new vscode.Disposable(() => {
path: src/services/test/TestServer.ts
user: login: canvrno
body: Unrelated to this PR
created_at: 2025-04-11T04:42:25Z
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR

PR comments:
user: login: linear[bot]
created_at: 2025-04-10T02:32:15Z
body: <p><a href="https://linear.app/cline-bot/issue/ENG-320/add-toggle-in-normal-settings-view-prevent-cline-from-working-outside">ENG-320 Add toggle in normal settings view 'Prevent Cline from working outside the current workspace'</a></p>
author_association: NONE
user: login: changeset-bot[bot]
created_at: 2025-04-10T02:32:16Z
body: ###  🦋  Changeset detected

Latest commit: 1518b114a82c04a8ca0cf24f588aeeb3eab4d452

**The changes in this PR will be included in the next version bump.**

<details><summary>This PR includes changesets to release 1 package</summary>

  | Name       | Type  |
| ---------- | ----- |
| claude-dev | Minor |

</details>

Not sure what this means? [Click here  to learn what changesets are](https://github.com/changesets/changesets/blob/main/docs/adding-a-changeset.md).

[Click here if you're a maintainer who wants to add another changeset to this PR](https://github.com/cline/cline/new/canvrno/eng-320?filename=.changeset/brave-kings-sparkle.md&value=---%0A%22claude-dev%22%3A%20patch%0A---%0A%0AENG-320%2FAuto-approve%20controls%20to%20restrict%20Cline%20actions%20outside%20of%20workspace%0A)


author_association: NONE
user: login: github-actions[bot]
created_at: 2025-04-10T02:35:12Z
body: <!-- COVERAGE_REPORT -->
## Coverage Report

### Extension Coverage

Base branch: 45%

PR branch: 45%

✅ Coverage increased or remained the same

### Webview Coverage

Base branch: 11%

PR branch: 11%

⚠️ **Warning: Coverage decreased by 0.04%**

Consider adding tests to cover your changes.

### Overall Assessment

⚠️ **Test coverage has decreased in this PR**

Please consider adding tests to maintain or improve coverage.



<sub>Last updated: 2025-04-11T04:32:49.995889</sub>
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR
user: login: dcbartlett
created_at: 2025-04-10T21:55:43Z
body: Can you provide a screenshot of the resulting UI changes?
author_association: CONTRIBUTOR