A computer-assisted surgical system comprises a master grip input mechanism, a surgical instrument comprising an end effector configured to apply a gripping force, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a first input signal in response to grip input at the master grip input mechanism. The controller is further configured to receive a second input signal after receiving the first input signal, wherein the second input signal is received in response to a procedure input at a master input device, with the procedure input being different from the grip input at the master grip input mechanism and further being indicative of a user's readiness to operate the surgical instrument to perform a first surgical procedure. The controller is further configured to, in response to receiving the first input signal and the second input signal, cause one or more degrees of freedom of the surgical instrument to be placed in a locked state.
