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 . <EOS>