---
title: "Turn on autonomy gradually"
description: "Shadow first, then live, one lane at a time, with a decision date and a kill switch on every new behavior."
url: "https://docs.octo.ad/agents/turn-on-autonomy-gradually/"
id: "agents/turn-on-autonomy-gradually"
type: "task"
audience: "operator"
dateModified: "2026-11-06"
productArea: "agents at work"
keywords: ["autonomy", "shadow"]
---

# Turn on autonomy gradually

> Shadow first, then live, one lane at a time, with a decision date and a kill switch on every new behavior.

## Steps

1. Choose one lane and set its scope. Which systems it may touch, what it may change, and which moves need a person.
2. Run the new behavior in shadow first. It records what it would have done and does nothing outside.
3. Set a decision date and a kill switch.
4. Keep it or kill it by the date. Nothing stays in shadow forever by accident.
5. Turn autonomy up lane by lane, where the work is safe and can be taken back. Keep a person on anything consequential.

## What you have at the end

Autonomy set per lane, never all at once, and every new behavior with a way to stop it.