> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.jobrco.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Approval modes

> Choose how much freedom each channel has: approve-first, auto, or gmail draft.

## Set freedom per channel

Every channel your employee works on has an approval mode. You choose it, and you can set a different mode for each channel.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Approve-first" icon="hand">
    Every send waits for your yes in the approvals queue. The safest default, and a good place to start.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Auto" icon="bolt">
    The employee sends without review, with a safety valve. Fast, for channels you trust.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Gmail draft" icon="pen-to-square">
    The employee leaves drafts in your Gmail mailbox. You send them yourself.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Instructions come first

Your written instructions always take priority over the mode. Even in auto mode, an instruction can force the employee to escalate to you. So if you write "always let me review anything about refunds", the employee will hold refund replies for approval even where auto is on.

<Note>
  Auto mode has a safety valve, and your instructions can escalate on top of it. The two together let you move fast without losing control.
</Note>

## A good rollout

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start with approve-first everywhere">
    Watch the drafts. Approve, edit, or reject to teach your style.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add escalation instructions">
    Write down the topics you always want to see.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Move trusted channels to auto">
    Once a channel's drafts are consistently good, switch it to auto and rely on your escalation instructions plus the safety valve.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Instructions and voice" icon="pen" href="/control/instructions-and-voice">
    Write the rules that shape and escalate behavior.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Staying in control" icon="shield" href="/control/staying-in-control">
    All the other levers.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>