Which mode is the default?

Feedback. A new canvas collects anchored comments, and Claude waits for your go-ahead before acting on them.

How do I switch to live mode?

Run `drafty canvas mode live`. From then on Claude works comment threads as they arrive instead of waiting.

Can I turn comments off entirely?

Yes. Set the canvas to read-only with `drafty canvas mode read-only` and viewers can open the page but can't leave comments.

Does changing the mode affect existing comments?

No. The mode controls new comments and whether Claude acts on them. Comments already on the canvas stay anchored to their elements.

Updated June 10, 2026

Drafty canvas modes: read-only, feedback, and live

Quick answer

A Drafty canvas mode controls whether people can comment and whether Claude acts on those comments. Read-only turns comments off, feedback (the default) lets people comment while Claude waits for your go-ahead, and live has Claude work comment threads as they arrive.

A canvas mode controls two things: whether people can comment on your canvas, and whether Claude acts on those comments. There are three modes. Read-only turns comments off. Feedback, the default, lets people leave anchored comments while Claude waits for you to give the go-ahead. Live has Claude work comment threads as they arrive.

Pick the mode that matches where the canvas is. Collecting reactions on a draft? Stay on feedback. Want Claude shipping changes as comments land? Switch to live. Done iterating and just sharing the result? Make it read-only.

Read-only: viewing only

Read-only is for a canvas you want people to read but not mark up. Viewers can open the link, scroll the page, and see any comments already there, but they can't add new ones. Reach for it when a canvas is final, or when you're sharing a finished page rather than asking for feedback.

Feedback (default): collect comments, Claude waits

Feedback is the default for a new canvas, and it's the mode most work lives in. Anyone with access clicks an element — a heading, paragraph, list item, image, table, or code block — and leaves a threaded comment pinned to that exact spot. Claude doesn't touch the canvas on its own. It waits for you to read the thread and tell it what to do, so you stay in control of every change. This is the right mode when you're gathering reactions before deciding what to act on.

Live: Claude works comments in real time

In live mode, Claude works comment threads as they arrive instead of waiting for your go-ahead. A comment comes in, Claude reads it, handles the feedback, and pushes a new version. Use it once you trust the direction and want to keep moving without approving each thread by hand. You can switch back to feedback any time you want the brakes on again.

How to set a mode (drafty canvas mode)

Set the mode from the CLI with one command:

Find the slug of your canvas (it's the last part of the drafty.im/canvas/<slug> link, or run drafty canvas ls).
Run drafty canvas mode <slug> <mode>, where <mode> is read-only, feedback, or live. For example, drafty canvas mode my-plan live.
The change takes effect right away. Switch as often as you like as the canvas moves from draft to review to done.

Changing the mode doesn't touch comments that are already on the canvas — they stay anchored to their elements. The mode only governs new comments and whether Claude acts on them. Don't have the CLI yet? Get the Drafty CLI.

Create your first canvas

Frequently asked

Which mode is the default?: Feedback. A new canvas collects anchored comments, and Claude waits for your go-ahead before acting on them.
How do I switch to live mode?: Run `drafty canvas mode <slug> live`. From then on Claude works comment threads as they arrive instead of waiting.
Can I turn comments off entirely?: Yes. Set the canvas to read-only with `drafty canvas mode <slug> read-only` and viewers can open the page but can't leave comments.
Does changing the mode affect existing comments?: No. The mode controls new comments and whether Claude acts on them. Comments already on the canvas stay anchored to their elements.