The approval model#
By default, every action Sidekick proposes requires your explicit approval. As you build trust, you can create rules that auto-approve certain actions.
Governance rules#
Rules define conditions under which actions are automatically approved. For example, you might auto-approve all calendar reads from Google, while requiring manual approval for email sends.
Rule types#
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Auto-approve | Action executes without manual review |
| Require approval | Action waits for your explicit approval |
| Block | Action is rejected automatically |
| Escalate | Action is routed to a specific team member |
Creating rules#
- Go to Settings → Governance in your workspace
- Click New Rule
- Define the condition (action type, connection, cost threshold)
- Choose the effect
- Set priority (higher priority rules override lower ones)
Cost-based governance#
You can gate actions on estimated cost:
- Auto-approve actions under 1,000 tokens
- Require approval for actions between 1,000–10,000 tokens
- Block actions over 10,000 tokens
warning Start restrictive and loosen rules as you build confidence. It's easier to auto-approve more than to undo an action.
Audit everything#
Regardless of approval rules, every action — auto-approved or manual — appears in the Observe audit trail with full context.