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

# May 2026

> Auto-approve mode rollout, MCP tool permissions, hooks in CLI, AGENTS.md replaces custom rules, and JetBrains stability fixes

## Faster Agents, Tighter Permissions, and a Cleaner Plugin Experience

May 2026 brings auto-approve mode and MCP tool permissions to all users, introduces hooks in the CLI, removes built-in system agents in favor of the unified Coding Agent, and ships a wave of JetBrains stability and compatibility fixes.

## New Features

### Auto-Approve Mode for Agent Actions

<Card title="Hands-Free Agent Execution" icon="bolt" color="#F24A07">
  Let the agent run end-to-end without pausing for approvals on every action.
</Card>

A new **Auto-approve mode** is now generally available across VS Code and JetBrains. Ideal for trusted workflows where you want the agent to keep moving without manual confirmation at each step.

***

### Permission Management for MCP Tools

<Card title="Control Which Tools Agents Can Use" icon="shield-check" color="#9333EA">
  Review and approve MCP tool access before agents invoke them.
</Card>

Agents now request permission before using MCP tools. You can grant one-time access or configure **"Always allow"** for trusted tools in settings — giving you full visibility into which external tools run during a task.

***

### Hooks in ZenCLI

A new **hooks system** in `zencli` lets you run custom commands at key points in an agent's lifecycle — perfect for logging, custom telemetry, or pre/post-task automation.

***

### Global Installation of Codex and Claude Code

The CLI now supports **global installation of Codex and Claude Code**, making it easier to share runtimes across projects without re-downloading on every run.

***

### Provider API Keys from `.env`

You can now configure provider API keys directly in your project's `.env` file — the CLI will pick them up automatically, no manual export needed.

***

## Improvements

* **Custom rules have been fully removed** — use `AGENTS.md` instead for a single, standardized way to define project conventions
* **Built-in system agents have been removed** from both VS Code and JetBrains — all tasks now run through the unified Coding Agent
* **Usage-based billing support** in plugins
* More consistent sign-in experience in VS Code across all auth flows

***

## Bug Fixes

* Fixed **JetBrains compatibility** issues affecting newer IDE versions
* Fixed **plugin window constantly stealing focus** during agent runs
* Fixed errors when reading directories on certain filesystems
* Fixed **CLI hanging** after task completion
* Fixed generic CLI errors surfaced during long-running sessions

***

<Accordion title="Version History">
  <Tabs>
    <Tab title="VS Code">
      * **3.56.0** (May 26, 2026)
      * **3.54.0** (May 19, 2026)
      * **3.52.0** (May 12, 2026)
    </Tab>

    <Tab title="JetBrains">
      * **3.25.0** (May 26, 2026)
      * **3.24.0** (May 19, 2026)
      * **3.23.0** (May 12, 2026)
      * **3.22.0** (May 5, 2026)
    </Tab>
  </Tabs>
</Accordion>

***

*Questions or feedback? Join our [Discord community](https://discord.gg/YjNYBHg8Vb) or visit our [Community Support](/get-started/community-support) page.*


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