A ratchet retracting handle for use in an assembly for inserting a bone anchor into a bone, wherein, prior to insertion, a stylet extends longitudinally through the bone anchor, and the bone anchor is configured to couple with a distal end of a screw driver, and wherein the ratchet retracting handle is adapted to transition between a docking mode, in which the stylet is retained at a fixed axial position extending beyond a distal tip of the bone anchor, and an extended mode, in which the stylet is distally translatable beyond the fixed axial position, and to automatically retract the stylet during insertion of the bone anchor, the ratchet retracting handle being characterized by comprising: a cap assembly comprising: a cap body; a knob configured to releasably retain the stylet, wherein the knob is coupled to and disposed proximally relative to the cap body; and a cap matingly engaged with a proximal end of the knob; a retractor assembly engaged with the cap assembly and disposed distally thereof, wherein the retractor assembly comprises a retractor body and two or more retractor posts extending proximally therefrom; a ratchet assembly rotatably engaged with the retractor assembly and including a ratchet body and a ratchet knob rotatable relative thereto, wherein the ratchet body is rotationally fixed to a lead screw, and coupled to a proximal end of the screw driver; and a cover disposed over at least part of each of the ratchet assembly, the retractor assembly, and the cap assembly, wherein the cover is rotationally fixed to the retractor assembly. wherein, prior to insertion, a stylet extends longitudinally through the bone anchor, and the bone anchor is configured to couple with a distal end of a screw driver, and wherein the ratchet retracting handle is adapted to transition between a docking mode, in which the stylet is retained at a fixed axial position extending beyond a distal tip of the bone anchor, and an extended mode, in which the stylet is distally translatable beyond the fixed axial position, and to automatically retract the stylet during insertion of the bone anchor, the ratchet retracting handle being characterized by comprising: a cap assembly comprising: a cap body; a knob configured to releasably retain the stylet, wherein the knob is coupled to and disposed proximally relative to the cap body; and a cap matingly engaged with a proximal end of the knob; a retractor assembly engaged with the cap assembly and disposed distally thereof, wherein the retractor assembly comprises a retractor body and two or more retractor posts extending proximally therefrom; a ratchet assembly rotatably engaged with the retractor assembly and including a ratchet body and a ratchet knob rotatable relative thereto, wherein the ratchet body is rotationally fixed to a lead screw, and coupled to a proximal end of the screw driver; and a cover disposed over at least part of each of the ratchet assembly, the retractor assembly, and the cap assembly, wherein the cover is rotationally fixed to the retractor assembly. a cap assembly comprising: a cap body; a knob configured to releasably retain the stylet, wherein the knob is coupled to and disposed proximally relative to the cap body; and a cap matingly engaged with a proximal end of the knob; a retractor assembly engaged with the cap assembly and disposed distally thereof, wherein the retractor assembly comprises a retractor body and two or more retractor posts extending proximally therefrom; a ratchet assembly rotatably engaged with the retractor assembly and including a ratchet body and a ratchet knob rotatable relative thereto, wherein the ratchet body is rotationally fixed to a lead screw, and coupled to a proximal end of the screw driver; and a cover disposed over at least part of each of the ratchet assembly, the retractor assembly, and the cap assembly, wherein the cover is rotationally fixed to the retractor assembly.