Approve requests with the narrowest possible permission
Grant approvals for AI actions using the narrowest scope necessary to keep work moving.
The power-user move is not to approve everything. It is to choose the narrowest permission that keeps the work moving.
When the AI requests approval for actions like file changes or tool access, select the most limited permission scope (e.g., current chat, once) that still allows the task to proceed. This enhances security by minimizing potential risks.
For a well-understood command in a trusted chat, use a chat-scoped approval. For an unfamiliar command, approve once or deny and ask for clarification.
Exercise caution when approving AI actions by selecting the narrowest permission scope required. This balances security with workflow efficiency, preventing unnecessary interruptions while minimizing potential risks.
Minimizes the attack surface by granting only the necessary permissions, preventing unintended consequences or security breaches from overly broad approvals.
Do not approve everything; always evaluate the scope and necessity of the requested permission.
- Mastering remote engineering work from your phone ↗OpenAI Developers Blog · OpenAI Developers Blog · Sep 3, 2026 · paraphrased
First seen on Subvolts Sep 3, 2026. Updated Sep 11, 2026. Spotted a problem? Tell us.
- Mastering remote engineering work from your phoneOpenAI · OpenAI Developers Blog · Sep 3, 2026
The Playbook: reusable how-tos, prompts, configs and tips pulled out of the news.
- HeuristicDefine task completion clearly to avoid premature stoppingExplicitly define what 'done' means for a task to ensure AI models complete the full scope. · 10 min
- ToolPlaywright for AI-driven frontend developmentA tool enabling AI models to inspect, validate, and refine frontend implementations autonomously. · 5 min
- Anti-patternBuilding agent infrastructure from scratchAvoid piecing together agent infrastructure; use standardized SDKs and native sandbox support. · 5 min
- Setting tipAgent workspace portability with Manifest abstractionUse the Manifest abstraction to describe agent workspaces for portability across different providers. · 10 min
- ToolOpenAI Agents SDK for building agentsSDK for building agents that can inspect files, run commands, edit code, and work on long-horizon tasks. · 15 min
- Anti-patternOverly specific instructions for advanced AI modelsAvoid detailed itineraries; newer models handle nuance and ambiguity better. · 10 min
Questions people ask
- Which AI tools does this work with?
- The sources used it with ChatGPT.
- Where did this come from?
- OpenAI Developers Blog (OpenAI Developers Blog). Subvolts collected, normalized and credited it; the link above opens the original.