diff --git a/crates/tui/src/runtime_api.rs b/crates/tui/src/runtime_api.rs
index 5d27ffeeb9..637d0f2122 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/runtime_api.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/runtime_api.rs
@@ -2114,8 +2114,9 @@ async fn cancel_agent_run(
     Path(run_id): Path<String>,
 ) -> Result<(StatusCode, Json<AgentWorkerRecord>), ApiError> {
     // Runs this runtime is executing itself (Fleet-launched children) stop
-    // in place. Only a child running in this process qualifies: records the
-    // manager loaded from disk belong to whichever process wrote them.
+    // in place. Only a running child in this process qualifies for mutation;
+    // a terminal receipt can be returned without mutating or consulting disk.
+    // Other persisted runs still go through their owning session below.
     let owned = {
         let manager = state.sub_agent_manager.read().await;
         manager
@@ -2125,10 +2126,18 @@ async fn cancel_agent_run(
             .filter(|record| {
                 manager
                     .get_result(&record.spec.worker_id)
-                    .is_ok_and(|agent| agent.status == SubAgentStatus::Running)
+                    .is_ok_and(|agent| {
+                        agent.status == SubAgentStatus::Running || record.status.is_terminal()
+                    })
             })
     };
     if let Some(record) = owned {
+        // Persistence is asynchronous. A repeated stop must answer from the
+        // owning manager's terminal receipt, not race the disk projection and
+        // incorrectly report a run we just stopped as missing or still live.
+        if record.status.is_terminal() {
+            return Ok((StatusCode::OK, Json(record)));
+        }
         let agent_id = record.spec.worker_id.clone();
         let cancelled = {
             let mut manager = state.sub_agent_manager.write().await;
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/runtime_api/tests.rs b/crates/tui/src/runtime_api/tests.rs
index 965f2e4841..44e9e325a6 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/runtime_api/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/runtime_api/tests.rs
@@ -2912,6 +2912,57 @@ async fn agent_run_cancel_stops_a_live_child_and_returns_its_receipt() -> Result
     Ok(())
 }
 
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn agent_run_cancel_remains_idempotent_before_receipt_persistence() -> Result<()> {
+    let temp = tempfile::tempdir()?;
+    let root = temp.path().to_path_buf();
+    let workspace = root.join("workspace");
+    fs::create_dir_all(&workspace)?;
+    // A memory-only manager deterministically models a disk projection that
+    // has not caught up. Repeated stops must use its authoritative receipt.
+    let manager = Arc::new(tokio::sync::RwLock::new(
+        crate::tools::subagent::SubAgentManager::new(workspace.clone(), 2),
+    ));
+    let agent_id = {
+        let mut guard = manager.write().await;
+        let id = guard.insert_test_running_agent("not-yet-persisted", &workspace);
+        guard.assign_test_session_owner(&id, "session-stop");
+        id
+    };
+    let Some((addr, _runtime_threads, handle)) =
+        spawn_test_server_with_root_token_mobile_workspace_and_subagents(
+            root.clone(),
+            root.join("sessions"),
+            None,
+            false,
+            workspace.clone(),
+            Some(manager),
+            None,
+        )
+        .await?
+    else {
+        return Ok(());
+    };
+    let client = crate::tls::reqwest_client();
+    for _ in 0..2 {
+        let response = client
+            .post(format!("http://{addr}/v1/agent-runs/{agent_id}/cancel"))
+            .send()
+            .await?;
+        assert_eq!(response.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+        let receipt: serde_json::Value = response.json().await?;
+        assert_eq!(receipt["spec"]["worker_id"], agent_id.as_str());
+        assert_eq!(receipt["status"], "cancelled");
+    }
+    assert!(
+        !workspace
+            .join(".codewhale/state/subagents.v1.json")
+            .exists()
+    );
+    handle.abort();
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn agent_run_cancel_refuses_a_run_owned_by_a_session_it_does_not_host() -> Result<()> {
     let root = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!(
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tools/subagent/mod.rs b/crates/tui/src/tools/subagent/mod.rs
index 7a6c60d448..49a341b3b8 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tools/subagent/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tools/subagent/mod.rs
@@ -10856,14 +10856,16 @@ fn apply_spawn_write_authority(runtime: &mut SubAgentRuntime, request: &SpawnReq
     }
     // `read_only` must be an executable posture, not just metadata. Normally
     // write-capable identities also inherit Full shell, which could mutate the
-    // workspace without a scope-aware claim under Auto/Full Access. Clamp that
-    // shell surface completely; verifier keeps its deliberate test runner.
+    // workspace without a scope-aware claim under Auto/Full Access. Narrow it
+    // to the existing classifier-bounded inspection shell, not a file-only
+    // surface. A parent with no shell stays shell-less; verifier keeps its
+    // deliberate test runner. The grant and executor enforce the same boundary.
     runtime.worker_profile.permissions.write = false;
     if matches!(
         request.agent_type,
         FleetRole::Worker | FleetRole::Builder | FleetRole::Custom
     ) {
-        runtime.worker_profile.shell = ShellPolicy::None;
+        runtime.worker_profile.shell = runtime.worker_profile.shell.min_with(ShellPolicy::ReadOnly);
     }
 }
 
@@ -18714,18 +18716,18 @@ fn annotate_child_model_error(
             route_source_label(route),
         )
     };
+    let lower = err.to_ascii_lowercase();
     match crate::error_taxonomy::classify_error_message(err) {
-        crate::error_taxonomy::ErrorCategory::Authorization
-        | crate::error_taxonomy::ErrorCategory::State => hint(),
+        crate::error_taxonomy::ErrorCategory::Authorization => hint(),
+        crate::error_taxonomy::ErrorCategory::State if lower.contains("model") => hint(),
         _ => {
             // #3020 (#2653): Provider rejections like "Model Not Exist" or
             // "does not exist or you do not have access" often classify as
             // `Internal` rather than `Authorization`/`State`.  Catch these
             // patterns in the raw error text and annotate anyway.
-            let lower = err.to_ascii_lowercase();
             if lower.contains("model not exist")
                 || lower.contains("model_not_found")
-                || lower.contains("does not exist")
+                || lower.contains("model") && lower.contains("does not exist")
                 || lower.contains("no such model")
                 || lower.contains("invalid model")
             {
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tools/subagent/tests.rs b/crates/tui/src/tools/subagent/tests.rs
index 0377af0c47..6adb7a0bb6 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tools/subagent/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tools/subagent/tests.rs
@@ -625,8 +625,87 @@ fn declared_read_only_write_roles_derive_without_mutating_shell() {
             false,
         );
         assert!(!profile.permissions.write, "{request:?}");
-        assert_eq!(profile.shell, ShellPolicy::None, "{request:?}");
+        assert_eq!(profile.shell, ShellPolicy::ReadOnly, "{request:?}");
+
+        runtime.worker_profile.shell = ShellPolicy::None;
+        apply_spawn_write_authority(&mut runtime, &request);
+        assert_eq!(runtime.worker_profile.shell, ShellPolicy::None);
+    }
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn explicit_read_only_general_can_inspect_git_but_cannot_mutate() {
+    let tmp = tempdir().expect("tempdir");
+    init_claim_repo(tmp.path());
+    let workspace = tmp.path().canonicalize().expect("workspace");
+    let request = parse_spawn_request(&json!({
+        "prompt": "inspect CI evidence",
+        "write_authority": "read_only",
+        "allowed_tools": ["read", "bash"]
+    }))
+    .expect("read-only request");
+    let mut runtime =
+        stub_runtime().with_agent_tool_surface_options(enabled_agent_surface_options());
+    runtime.context = ToolContext::new(workspace.clone());
+    runtime.context.auto_approve = true;
+    apply_spawn_write_authority(&mut runtime, &request);
+    runtime.worker_profile = worker_profile_for_spawn(
+        &runtime,
+        &request.agent_type,
+        &AgentWorkerToolProfile::Inherited,
+        "deepseek-v4-pro",
+        None,
+        false,
+    );
+    let registry = SubAgentToolRegistry::new(
+        runtime,
+        request.agent_type,
+        Some(vec!["read".into(), "bash".into()]),
+        crate::tools::todo::new_shared_todo_list(),
+        crate::tools::plan::new_shared_plan_state(),
+    );
+    assert!(registry.unavailable_allowed_tools().is_empty());
+    assert_ne!(
+        registry.grant.files,
+        crate::worker_profile::FileGrant::Write
+    );
+    for command in ["pwd", "git status --short", "git log --oneline -1"] {
+        let output = registry
+            .execute("inspection", "bash", json!({"command": command}))
+            .await
+            .unwrap_or_else(|error| panic!("{command}: {error}"));
+        if command != "git status --short" {
+            assert!(!output.trim().is_empty());
+        }
     }
+    for command in [
+        "gh run view 123 --repo owner/repo --log-failed",
+        "rg -n TODO src",
+    ] {
+        let input = json!({"command": command});
+        assert!(
+            registry.posture_permits_tool("bash", Some(&input)),
+            "{command}"
+        );
+        assert!(
+            registry.envelope_refusal("bash", &input).is_none(),
+            "{command}"
+        );
+    }
+    for command in [
+        "touch forbidden.txt",
+        "git checkout -b forbidden",
+        "npm test",
+    ] {
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .execute("inspection", "bash", json!({"command": command}))
+                .await
+                .is_err(),
+            "inspection is not arbitrary execution: {command}"
+        );
+    }
+    assert!(!workspace.join("forbidden.txt").exists());
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -11964,6 +12043,25 @@ fn annotate_child_model_error_adds_actionable_hint() {
     );
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn child_runtime_capability_errors_are_not_misreported_as_model_access_errors() {
+    for error in [
+        "Sub-agent requested unavailable tools: bash",
+        "Requested source file does not exist",
+        "The worktree path is unavailable",
+    ] {
+        assert_eq!(
+            annotate_child_model_error(
+                error,
+                "deepseek-flash",
+                crate::config::ApiProvider::Deepseek,
+                &ModelRoute::Inherit,
+            ),
+            error,
+        );
+    }
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn child_launch_error_names_provider_model_and_route_source() {
     // #4049: a model-not-found child launch failure must name the provider
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tools/workflow/mod.rs b/crates/tui/src/tools/workflow/mod.rs
index 1f77d8a26a..967dabf583 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tools/workflow/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tools/workflow/mod.rs
@@ -3518,22 +3518,11 @@ fn leaf_allowed_tools(spec: &LeafSpec) -> Result<Option<Vec<String>>, ToolError>
     if !spec.permissions.allowed_tools.is_empty() {
         return Ok(Some(spec.permissions.allowed_tools.clone()));
     }
-    if spec.mode != TaskMode::ReadOnly {
-        return Ok(None);
-    }
-    Ok(Some(
-        read_only_allowed_tools(spec.agent_type)
-            .iter()
-            .map(|tool| (*tool).to_string())
-            .collect(),
-    ))
-}
-
-fn read_only_allowed_tools(agent_type: AgentType) -> &'static [&'static str] {
-    match agent_type {
-        AgentType::Verifier => &["File"],
-        _ => &["File"],
-    }
+    // The child grant already intersects role, parent permissions and the
+    // emitted writeAuthority. A second File-only default hid bounded Git/CI
+    // inspection from scouts and Run from verifiers without adding safety.
+    // Explicit allowlists and deny_all_tools above remain exact restrictions.
+    Ok(None)
 }
 
 fn is_write_or_shell_tool(tool: &str) -> bool {
@@ -7904,6 +7893,36 @@ export default workflow({
         );
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn read_only_workflow_leaves_use_the_runtime_grant_unless_explicitly_narrowed() {
+        for agent_type in ["explore", "review", "verifier", "general"] {
+            let mut leaf: LeafSpec = serde_json::from_value(json!({
+                "id": "inspect",
+                "prompt": "Inspect source and CI evidence",
+                "agent_type": agent_type,
+                "mode": "read_only"
+            }))
+            .expect("read-only leaf");
+            assert_eq!(leaf_allowed_tools(&leaf).unwrap(), None);
+            let source = leaf_task_options_expression(&leaf, None, false).unwrap();
+            assert!(source.contains("writeAuthority: \"read_only\""), "{source}");
+            assert!(!source.contains("allowedTools:"), "{source}");
+
+            leaf.permissions.deny_all_tools = true;
+            assert_eq!(leaf_allowed_tools(&leaf).unwrap(), Some(Vec::new()));
+            leaf.permissions.deny_all_tools = false;
+            leaf.permissions.allowed_tools = vec!["File".into()];
+            assert_eq!(
+                leaf_allowed_tools(&leaf).unwrap(),
+                Some(vec!["File".into()])
+            );
+            leaf.permissions.allowed_tools = vec!["bash".into()];
+            assert!(validate_leaf_runtime_contract(&leaf).is_ok());
+            leaf.permissions.allowed_tools = vec!["exec_shell".into()];
+            assert!(validate_leaf_runtime_contract(&leaf).is_err());
+        }
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn parallel_read_only_children_do_not_default_to_worktree() {
         let source = r#"
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tools/workflow/shortlist_tests.rs b/crates/tui/src/tools/workflow/shortlist_tests.rs
index 18e42874c1..b848a5750f 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tools/workflow/shortlist_tests.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tools/workflow/shortlist_tests.rs
@@ -412,11 +412,8 @@ async fn native_exact_fleet_builder_keeps_the_plan_read_only_ceiling() {
         !profile.permissions.write,
         "the authored read_only mode must remain executable policy"
     );
-    assert_eq!(profile.shell, crate::worker_profile::ShellPolicy::None);
-    assert_eq!(
-        profile.tools,
-        crate::worker_profile::ToolScope::Explicit(vec!["File".into()])
-    );
+    assert_eq!(profile.shell, crate::worker_profile::ShellPolicy::ReadOnly);
+    assert_eq!(profile.tools, crate::worker_profile::ToolScope::Inherit);
     assert_eq!(
         records[0].spec.child_route.as_ref().unwrap().provider_id,
         "openrouter"
diff --git a/crates/workflow/src/js_authoring.rs b/crates/workflow/src/js_authoring.rs
index c6604961c0..1cfda09683 100644
--- a/crates/workflow/src/js_authoring.rs
+++ b/crates/workflow/src/js_authoring.rs
@@ -653,7 +653,15 @@ workflow({
             assert_eq!(leaf.role.as_deref(), Some(expected_role));
             assert_eq!(leaf.mode, TaskMode::ReadOnly);
             assert!(!leaf.permissions.allow_write);
-            assert!(leaf.permissions.allowed_tools.is_empty());
+            let expected_tools: &[&str] = if expected_role == "explore" {
+                &["File"]
+            } else {
+                &[]
+            };
+            assert_eq!(
+                leaf.permissions.allowed_tools, expected_tools,
+                "the fixture must explicitly restrict source gathering to File"
+            );
             assert_eq!(
                 leaf.permissions.deny_all_tools,
                 expected_role != "explore",
diff --git a/docs/SUBAGENTS.md b/docs/SUBAGENTS.md
index f46c568040..253e3219c7 100644
--- a/docs/SUBAGENTS.md
+++ b/docs/SUBAGENTS.md
@@ -76,9 +76,9 @@ stewardship.
 | Role          | Stance                                 | Writes? | Network? | Shell posture | Typical use                                  |
 |---------------|----------------------------------------|---------|----------|---------------|----------------------------------------------|
 | `general`     | flexible; do whatever the parent says  | yes     | yes      | yes           | the default; multi-step tasks                |
-| `explore`     | read-only; map the relevant code fast  | no      | yes      | read-only (net + bounded verify) | "find every call site of `Foo`; check the PR with gh" |
+| `explore`     | read-only; map the relevant code fast  | no      | yes      | bounded inspection | "find every call site of `Foo`; check the PR with gh" |
 | `planner`     | analyse and produce a strategy         | no      | yes      | read-only probes | "design the migration; don't execute"        |
-| `reviewer`    | read-and-grade with severity scores    | no      | yes      | read-only (net + bounded verify) | "audit this PR for bugs"                     |
+| `reviewer`    | read-and-grade with severity scores    | no      | yes      | bounded inspection | "audit this PR for bugs"                     |
 | `implement`   | land a specific change with min edit   | yes     | yes      | yes           | "rewrite `bar.rs::Foo::bar` to do X"         |
 | `test`        | run tests / validation, report outcome | no      | yes      | bounded verification (no writes) | "verify the diff with the bounded test checks; report PASS/FAIL" |
 | `advisor`     | short-lived, high-reasoning counsel     | no      | yes      | none          | "what are we missing in this design?"        |
@@ -213,6 +213,15 @@ real isolated worktree may proceed in parallel. A `custom` role requires
 explicit write-capable authority to claim writes; otherwise it starts
 read-only.
 
+Read-only is not file-only. A normally write-capable agent narrowed with
+`write_authority: "read_only"` keeps the existing classifier-bounded inspection
+shell when its parent permits it: Git history/status, search, and allowed `gh`
+log reads, not arbitrary commands or test programs. Workflow read-only steps
+likewise use the effective role's tools instead of imposing a second File-only
+list; a `test` role retains its bounded verification interface. Explicit tool
+allowlists, `deny_all_tools`, parent denials, network limits, and mutation checks
+still apply. A parent without shell access cannot delegate it.
+
 Optional fields:
 
 - `worktree_branch`: exact branch to create.
diff --git a/workflows/stopship.workflow.js b/workflows/stopship.workflow.js
index 61654f7991..842b84a25b 100644
--- a/workflows/stopship.workflow.js
+++ b/workflows/stopship.workflow.js
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ export default workflow({
               "agent_type": "explore",
               "role": "explore",
               "mode": "read_only",
+              "permissions": { "allowed_tools": ["File"] },
               "file_scope": [
                 "fleets/stopship.toml",
                 "crates/cli/src/lib.rs",