It is 100% automatic, cleans the pool spotless in 1 hour, and then shuts off.You have the option of controlling it with the remote if you want to throw it in and spot clean the pool .The remote also has a program button, if you just turn on the cleaner the deafult program is that it climbs to the waterline evry seventh time it hits a wall, hitting the program button makes it climb the wall each time it hits it.