I connect iPod is disk mode. I cannot prevent iTunes from launching and ejecting my iPod.
I am trying to run my iPod in disk mode. iTunes 12.8.2.3 launches and in about five seconds ejects the disk mount. When I look at the iTunes Summary window for the iPod, the checkbox for "Open iTunes when this iPod is connected" has been checked by iTunes. I had just unchecked it. The iTunes Device Preferences checkbox for "Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically" is checked (and stays checked), so that's not the problem.
I quit and launched iTunes three times. I logged out. I reset my iPod twice. I forced my iPod into disk mode and connected it. None of those helped. I made a macro that sent the Quit command (3 times with a 1.5 second gap between) to iTunes when it launched—iTunes would not quit.
Without disk mode, I can't add text files containing notes that won't work as items that iTunes can add such as Calendar items, to-do items, or Contacts.