Rule mode selects policies through rules. Global mode sends most traffic to the selected policy group. Direct mode tries to avoid proxy nodes. Use Rule mode every day; use Global and Direct only for brief comparisons, and verify results against the actual match shown in the connection list.
Start with the current mode and actual policy
The mode name determines only the policy entry point. The final result still depends on the fallback rule, policy-group selection, and earlier rules.
- Is the current client mode Rule, Global, or Direct?
- Does the final rule provide a MATCH fallback?
- Does the policy group currently select a node, DIRECT, or REJECT?
- Did an earlier rule match the destination domain first?
Which mode to use day to day
- Use Rule mode for everyday use(See Rule configuration)
- Briefly switch to Global mode when testing node availability
- Switch to Direct mode to compare the local network
- Use the connection list to inspect the rule and policy actually selected by the destination
Changing modes does not modify the subscription itself
Global mode does not guarantee that all system traffic enters Clash
Capture scope still depends on the system proxy, TUN, and application behavior(See TUN FAQ)