Yes, it’s a security system on top of usual linux permissions that enforces access control rules on what users and programs can access what resources, and embraces principle of least privilege – only minimum rights required to function are granted.
So, just like SELinux, but, evidently, more annoying.
SELinux has “learning” mode: in that mode, all operations are allowed, and the system records the permissions that would be required to for these operations to succeed. Then you re-enable it, and those operations continue to be allowed. I’m sure app armor has sometihing similar .
So, if you want to make it work – you would need to put it to “permissive” mode (I don’t know what AppArmor calls it), do everything you usually do, and then put it back to “enforcing” mode.
Or, yes, leave it disabled.