---
title: "Approval | AgentRQ Glossary"
url: https://agentrq.com/glossary/approval
description: "An approval is a human confirmation that allows an AI agent to proceed with a proposed action — a core mechanism of human-in-the-loop agent control."
---

[Back to Glossary](https://agentrq.com/glossary/)

# Approval

An **approval** is an explicit human confirmation that authorizes an AI [agent](https://agentrq.com/glossary/agent) to proceed with a proposed action. Approvals are a foundational mechanism of [human-in-the-loop](https://agentrq.com/glossary/human-in-the-loop) agent design, ensuring that consequential or irreversible actions are reviewed before execution.

## Why Approvals Matter

AI agents can act quickly and autonomously — which is powerful, but risky. Without approval gates, an agent might:

- → Delete files or records it shouldn't
- → Deploy code to production prematurely
- → Send messages or emails on your behalf
- → Make API calls with real-world side effects

Approval checkpoints give humans the opportunity to catch mistakes before they become costly.

## How Approvals Work in AgentRQ

When a [Claude Code](https://agentrq.com/glossary/claude-code) agent determines it needs human sign-off, it uses the AgentRQ [MCP](https://agentrq.com/glossary/mcp) tool to pause and send a notification to your [task board](https://agentrq.com/glossary/task-board). You review the proposed action, then reply with approval or rejection. The agent resumes or adjusts based on your response.

This flow looks like:

1. Agent reaches a decision point
2. Agent calls `task` with the `create` or `reply` action via AgentRQ MCP
3. You receive a real-time [notification](https://agentrq.com/glossary/notification)
4. You approve, reject, or provide feedback
5. Agent continues with updated context

## Approval vs. Notification

| Mechanism | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Notification | Informational — agent keeps running |
| Approval | Blocking — agent waits for your response |

## Designing Good Approval Gates

- → **Approve before irreversible actions** — database migrations, file deletions, deployments
- → **Approve before ambiguous decisions** — when the agent is uncertain about intent
- → **Don't over-gate** — too many approvals break flow; focus on high-stakes moments

## Related Terms

- → [Human-in-the-Loop](https://agentrq.com/glossary/human-in-the-loop)
- → [Task](https://agentrq.com/glossary/task)
- → [Notification](https://agentrq.com/glossary/notification)
- → [Bidirectional Messaging](https://agentrq.com/glossary/bidirectional-messaging)
- → [Task Status](https://agentrq.com/glossary/task-status)