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Correct answer: A. The folder it was started in, and folders beneath it
Explanation
The principle — there is a boundary drawn around where you started, and it holds regardless of what you approve inside it.
Why the key is correct — Anthropic states that Claude Code can only write to the folder where it was started and its subfolders, and cannot modify files in parent directories without explicit permission. Where you launch the session is therefore a security decision, not just a convenience.
Why the others are wrong — the limit is narrower than your user account's reach. Approving an action authorises that action rather than widening the boundary. And naming a file is how you point at work, not how permission is granted.
Remember this — start Claude Code at the root of the work, and no higher.
Sources — Anthropic's Claude Code security page.
Sources
“Claude Code can only write to the folder where it was started and its subfolders, and cannot modify files in parent directories without explicit permission.”
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