diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index abfd5fc34..39adf3ecd 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ Docs: https://docs.clawd.bot
 Status: unreleased.
 
 ### Changes
+- Tools: add per-sender group tool policies and fix precedence. (#1757) Thanks @adam91holt.
 - Agents: summarize dropped messages during compaction safeguard pruning. (#2509) Thanks @jogi47.
 - Skills: add multi-image input support to Nano Banana Pro skill. (#1958) Thanks @tyler6204.
 - Agents: honor tools.exec.safeBins in exec allowlist checks. (#2281)
diff --git a/docs/channels/discord.md b/docs/channels/discord.md
index 395f13c6a..8aba9d336 100644
--- a/docs/channels/discord.md
+++ b/docs/channels/discord.md
@@ -298,8 +298,12 @@ ack reaction after the bot replies.
 - `guilds."*"`: default per-guild settings applied when no explicit entry exists.
 - `guilds.<id>.slug`: optional friendly slug used for display names.
 - `guilds.<id>.users`: optional per-guild user allowlist (ids or names).
+- `guilds.<id>.tools`: optional per-guild tool policy overrides (`allow`/`deny`/`alsoAllow`) used when the channel override is missing.
+- `guilds.<id>.toolsBySender`: optional per-sender tool policy overrides at the guild level (applies when the channel override is missing; `"*"` wildcard supported).
 - `guilds.<id>.channels.<channel>.allow`: allow/deny the channel when `groupPolicy="allowlist"`.
 - `guilds.<id>.channels.<channel>.requireMention`: mention gating for the channel.
+- `guilds.<id>.channels.<channel>.tools`: optional per-channel tool policy overrides (`allow`/`deny`/`alsoAllow`).
+- `guilds.<id>.channels.<channel>.toolsBySender`: optional per-sender tool policy overrides within the channel (`"*"` wildcard supported).
 - `guilds.<id>.channels.<channel>.users`: optional per-channel user allowlist.
 - `guilds.<id>.channels.<channel>.skills`: skill filter (omit = all skills, empty = none).
 - `guilds.<id>.channels.<channel>.systemPrompt`: extra system prompt for the channel (combined with channel topic).
diff --git a/docs/channels/msteams.md b/docs/channels/msteams.md
index 2f6ed5f83..e0a36ad48 100644
--- a/docs/channels/msteams.md
+++ b/docs/channels/msteams.md
@@ -421,8 +421,12 @@ Key settings (see `/gateway/configuration` for shared channel patterns):
 - `channels.msteams.replyStyle`: `thread | top-level` (see [Reply Style](#reply-style-threads-vs-posts)).
 - `channels.msteams.teams.<teamId>.replyStyle`: per-team override.
 - `channels.msteams.teams.<teamId>.requireMention`: per-team override.
+- `channels.msteams.teams.<teamId>.tools`: default per-team tool policy overrides (`allow`/`deny`/`alsoAllow`) used when a channel override is missing.
+- `channels.msteams.teams.<teamId>.toolsBySender`: default per-team per-sender tool policy overrides (`"*"` wildcard supported).
 - `channels.msteams.teams.<teamId>.channels.<conversationId>.replyStyle`: per-channel override.
 - `channels.msteams.teams.<teamId>.channels.<conversationId>.requireMention`: per-channel override.
+- `channels.msteams.teams.<teamId>.channels.<conversationId>.tools`: per-channel tool policy overrides (`allow`/`deny`/`alsoAllow`).
+- `channels.msteams.teams.<teamId>.channels.<conversationId>.toolsBySender`: per-channel per-sender tool policy overrides (`"*"` wildcard supported).
 - `channels.msteams.sharePointSiteId`: SharePoint site ID for file uploads in group chats/channels (see [Sending files in group chats](#sending-files-in-group-chats)).
 
 ## Routing & Sessions
diff --git a/docs/channels/slack.md b/docs/channels/slack.md
index 5f768db0e..8ab5846b7 100644
--- a/docs/channels/slack.md
+++ b/docs/channels/slack.md
@@ -464,6 +464,8 @@ For fine-grained control, use these tags in agent responses:
 Channel options (`channels.slack.channels.<id>` or `channels.slack.channels.<name>`):
 - `allow`: allow/deny the channel when `groupPolicy="allowlist"`.
 - `requireMention`: mention gating for the channel.
+- `tools`: optional per-channel tool policy overrides (`allow`/`deny`/`alsoAllow`).
+- `toolsBySender`: optional per-sender tool policy overrides within the channel (keys are sender ids/@handles/emails; `"*"` wildcard supported).
 - `allowBots`: allow bot-authored messages in this channel (default: false).
 - `users`: optional per-channel user allowlist.
 - `skills`: skill filter (omit = all skills, empty = none).
diff --git a/docs/concepts/groups.md b/docs/concepts/groups.md
index d6e72aac8..0e5ad399c 100644
--- a/docs/concepts/groups.md
+++ b/docs/concepts/groups.md
@@ -232,6 +232,42 @@ Notes:
 - Discord defaults live in `channels.discord.guilds."*"` (overridable per guild/channel).
 - Group history context is wrapped uniformly across channels and is **pending-only** (messages skipped due to mention gating); use `messages.groupChat.historyLimit` for the global default and `channels.<channel>.historyLimit` (or `channels.<channel>.accounts.*.historyLimit`) for overrides. Set `0` to disable.
 
+## Group/channel tool restrictions (optional)
+Some channel configs support restricting which tools are available **inside a specific group/room/channel**.
+
+- `tools`: allow/deny tools for the whole group.
+- `toolsBySender`: per-sender overrides within the group (keys are sender IDs/usernames/emails/phone numbers depending on the channel). Use `"*"` as a wildcard.
+
+Resolution order (most specific wins):
+1) group/channel `toolsBySender` match
+2) group/channel `tools`
+3) default (`"*"`) `toolsBySender` match
+4) default (`"*"`) `tools`
+
+Example (Telegram):
+
+```json5
+{
+  channels: {
+    telegram: {
+      groups: {
+        "*": { tools: { deny: ["exec"] } },
+        "-1001234567890": {
+          tools: { deny: ["exec", "read", "write"] },
+          toolsBySender: {
+            "123456789": { alsoAllow: ["exec"] }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+Notes:
+- Group/channel tool restrictions are applied in addition to global/agent tool policy (deny still wins).
+- Some channels use different nesting for rooms/channels (e.g., Discord `guilds.*.channels.*`, Slack `channels.*`, MS Teams `teams.*.channels.*`).
+
 ## Group allowlists
 When `channels.whatsapp.groups`, `channels.telegram.groups`, or `channels.imessage.groups` is configured, the keys act as a group allowlist. Use `"*"` to allow all groups while still setting default mention behavior.
 
diff --git a/src/agents/clawdbot-gateway-tool.test.ts b/src/agents/clawdbot-gateway-tool.test.ts
index b452e9379..76d8ff8e4 100644
--- a/src/agents/clawdbot-gateway-tool.test.ts
+++ b/src/agents/clawdbot-gateway-tool.test.ts
@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@ describe("gateway tool", () => {
     vi.useFakeTimers();
     const kill = vi.spyOn(process, "kill").mockImplementation(() => true);
     const previousStateDir = process.env.CLAWDBOT_STATE_DIR;
+    const previousProfile = process.env.CLAWDBOT_PROFILE;
     const stateDir = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), "clawdbot-test-"));
     process.env.CLAWDBOT_STATE_DIR = stateDir;
+    process.env.CLAWDBOT_PROFILE = "isolated";
 
     try {
       const tool = createClawdbotTools({
@@ -62,6 +64,11 @@ describe("gateway tool", () => {
       } else {
         process.env.CLAWDBOT_STATE_DIR = previousStateDir;
       }
+      if (previousProfile === undefined) {
+        delete process.env.CLAWDBOT_PROFILE;
+      } else {
+        process.env.CLAWDBOT_PROFILE = previousProfile;
+      }
     }
   });
 
diff --git a/src/browser/client-fetch.ts b/src/browser/client-fetch.ts
index 06facc416..8cdaed5e2 100644
--- a/src/browser/client-fetch.ts
+++ b/src/browser/client-fetch.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,13 @@ function enhanceBrowserFetchError(url: string, err: unknown, timeoutMs: number):
     ? "If this is a sandboxed session, ensure the sandbox browser is running and try again."
     : `Start (or restart) the Clawdbot gateway (Clawdbot.app menubar, or \`${formatCliCommand("clawdbot gateway")}\`) and try again.`;
   const msg = String(err);
-  if (msg.toLowerCase().includes("timed out") || msg.toLowerCase().includes("timeout")) {
+  const lower = msg.toLowerCase();
+  if (
+    lower.includes("timed out") ||
+    lower.includes("timeout") ||
+    lower.includes("aborted") ||
+    lower.includes("aborterror")
+  ) {
     return new Error(
       `Can't reach the clawd browser control service (timed out after ${timeoutMs}ms). ${hint}`,
     );
diff --git a/src/browser/server.covers-additional-endpoint-branches.test.ts b/src/browser/server.covers-additional-endpoint-branches.test.ts
index ee5463ab5..9a256e58b 100644
--- a/src/browser/server.covers-additional-endpoint-branches.test.ts
+++ b/src/browser/server.covers-additional-endpoint-branches.test.ts
@@ -309,6 +309,9 @@ describe("backward compatibility (profile parameter)", () => {
     testPort = await getFreePort();
     _cdpBaseUrl = `http://127.0.0.1:${testPort + 1}`;
 
+    prevGatewayPort = process.env.CLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_PORT;
+    process.env.CLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_PORT = String(testPort - 2);
+
     vi.stubGlobal(
       "fetch",
       vi.fn(async (url: string) => {
@@ -344,6 +347,11 @@ describe("backward compatibility (profile parameter)", () => {
   afterEach(async () => {
     vi.unstubAllGlobals();
     vi.restoreAllMocks();
+    if (prevGatewayPort === undefined) {
+      delete process.env.CLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_PORT;
+    } else {
+      process.env.CLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_PORT = prevGatewayPort;
+    }
     const { stopBrowserControlServer } = await import("./server.js");
     await stopBrowserControlServer();
   });
diff --git a/src/browser/server.post-tabs-open-profile-unknown-returns-404.test.ts b/src/browser/server.post-tabs-open-profile-unknown-returns-404.test.ts
index f178858a7..ec035e7fa 100644
--- a/src/browser/server.post-tabs-open-profile-unknown-returns-404.test.ts
+++ b/src/browser/server.post-tabs-open-profile-unknown-returns-404.test.ts
@@ -286,6 +286,9 @@ describe("profile CRUD endpoints", () => {
     testPort = await getFreePort();
     _cdpBaseUrl = `http://127.0.0.1:${testPort + 1}`;
 
+    prevGatewayPort = process.env.CLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_PORT;
+    process.env.CLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_PORT = String(testPort - 2);
+
     vi.stubGlobal(
       "fetch",
       vi.fn(async (url: string) => {
@@ -299,6 +302,11 @@ describe("profile CRUD endpoints", () => {
   afterEach(async () => {
     vi.unstubAllGlobals();
     vi.restoreAllMocks();
+    if (prevGatewayPort === undefined) {
+      delete process.env.CLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_PORT;
+    } else {
+      process.env.CLAWDBOT_GATEWAY_PORT = prevGatewayPort;
+    }
     const { stopBrowserControlServer } = await import("./server.js");
     await stopBrowserControlServer();
   });
diff --git a/src/canvas-host/a2ui/.bundle.hash b/src/canvas-host/a2ui/.bundle.hash
index 8b654f12f..19a232f5c 100644
--- a/src/canvas-host/a2ui/.bundle.hash
+++ b/src/canvas-host/a2ui/.bundle.hash
@@ -1 +1 @@
-6d63b866aa0e917b278c6bef42229e8cd1f43c8ba31c845a96b4d9d5ce780265
+2567ca5bbc065b922d96717a488d5db3120b5b033c5d0508682d1aa8fbba470a
diff --git a/src/channels/plugins/group-mentions.ts b/src/channels/plugins/group-mentions.ts
index ce5727cc1..48d640dfc 100644
--- a/src/channels/plugins/group-mentions.ts
+++ b/src/channels/plugins/group-mentions.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,10 @@ import {
   resolveToolsBySender,
 } from "../../config/group-policy.js";
 import type { DiscordConfig } from "../../config/types.js";
-import type { GroupToolPolicyConfig } from "../../config/types.tools.js";
+import type {
+  GroupToolPolicyBySenderConfig,
+  GroupToolPolicyConfig,
+} from "../../config/types.tools.js";
 import { resolveSlackAccount } from "../../slack/accounts.js";
 
 type GroupMentionParams = {
@@ -331,7 +334,9 @@ export function resolveSlackGroupToolPolicy(
     channelName ?? "",
     normalizedName,
   ].filter(Boolean);
-  let matched: { tools?: GroupToolPolicyConfig } | undefined;
+  let matched:
+    | { tools?: GroupToolPolicyConfig; toolsBySender?: GroupToolPolicyBySenderConfig }
+    | undefined;
   for (const candidate of candidates) {
     if (candidate && channels[candidate]) {
       matched = channels[candidate];
diff --git a/src/cli/browser-cli-inspect.test.ts b/src/cli/browser-cli-inspect.test.ts
index 30111e9e5..23fd69774 100644
--- a/src/cli/browser-cli-inspect.test.ts
+++ b/src/cli/browser-cli-inspect.test.ts
@@ -1,17 +1,19 @@
 import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { Command } from "commander";
 
-const clientMocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
-  browserSnapshot: vi.fn(async () => ({
+const gatewayMocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  callGatewayFromCli: vi.fn(async () => ({
     ok: true,
     format: "ai",
     targetId: "t1",
     url: "https://example.com",
     snapshot: "ok",
   })),
-  resolveBrowserControlUrl: vi.fn(() => "http://127.0.0.1:18791"),
 }));
-vi.mock("../browser/client.js", () => clientMocks);
+
+vi.mock("./gateway-rpc.js", () => ({
+  callGatewayFromCli: gatewayMocks.callGatewayFromCli,
+}));
 
 const configMocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
   loadConfig: vi.fn(() => ({ browser: {} })),
@@ -37,6 +39,7 @@ describe("browser cli snapshot defaults", () => {
     configMocks.loadConfig.mockReturnValue({
       browser: { snapshotDefaults: { mode: "efficient" } },
     });
+
     const { registerBrowserInspectCommands } = await import("./browser-cli-inspect.js");
     const program = new Command();
     const browser = program.command("browser").option("--json", false);
@@ -44,12 +47,18 @@ describe("browser cli snapshot defaults", () => {
 
     await program.parseAsync(["browser", "snapshot"], { from: "user" });
 
-    expect(clientMocks.browserSnapshot).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-      "http://127.0.0.1:18791",
+    expect(gatewayMocks.callGatewayFromCli).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      "browser.request",
+      expect.any(Object),
       expect.objectContaining({
-        format: "ai",
-        mode: "efficient",
+        method: "GET",
+        path: "/snapshot",
+        query: expect.objectContaining({
+          format: "ai",
+          mode: "efficient",
+        }),
       }),
+      expect.any(Object),
     );
   });
 
@@ -57,13 +66,15 @@ describe("browser cli snapshot defaults", () => {
     configMocks.loadConfig.mockReturnValue({
       browser: { snapshotDefaults: { mode: "efficient" } },
     });
-    clientMocks.browserSnapshot.mockResolvedValueOnce({
+
+    gatewayMocks.callGatewayFromCli.mockResolvedValueOnce({
       ok: true,
       format: "aria",
       targetId: "t1",
       url: "https://example.com",
       nodes: [],
     });
+
     const { registerBrowserInspectCommands } = await import("./browser-cli-inspect.js");
     const program = new Command();
     const browser = program.command("browser").option("--json", false);
@@ -71,8 +82,9 @@ describe("browser cli snapshot defaults", () => {
 
     await program.parseAsync(["browser", "snapshot", "--format", "aria"], { from: "user" });
 
-    expect(clientMocks.browserSnapshot).toHaveBeenCalled();
-    const [, opts] = clientMocks.browserSnapshot.mock.calls.at(-1) ?? [];
-    expect(opts?.mode).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(gatewayMocks.callGatewayFromCli).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    const [, , params] = gatewayMocks.callGatewayFromCli.mock.calls.at(-1) ?? [];
+    expect(params).toBeTruthy();
+    expect((params as { query?: Record<string, string> }).query?.mode).toBeUndefined();
   });
 });
diff --git a/src/commands/status.test.ts b/src/commands/status.test.ts
index 2cba37b49..ca9d8ae96 100644
--- a/src/commands/status.test.ts
+++ b/src/commands/status.test.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,19 @@
-import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { afterAll, beforeAll, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+
+let previousProfile: string | undefined;
+
+beforeAll(() => {
+  previousProfile = process.env.CLAWDBOT_PROFILE;
+  process.env.CLAWDBOT_PROFILE = "isolated";
+});
+
+afterAll(() => {
+  if (previousProfile === undefined) {
+    delete process.env.CLAWDBOT_PROFILE;
+  } else {
+    process.env.CLAWDBOT_PROFILE = previousProfile;
+  }
+});
 
 const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
   loadSessionStore: vi.fn().mockReturnValue({
diff --git a/src/pairing/pairing-messages.test.ts b/src/pairing/pairing-messages.test.ts
index 581d405d3..8cc727c09 100644
--- a/src/pairing/pairing-messages.test.ts
+++ b/src/pairing/pairing-messages.test.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,22 @@
-import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { afterAll, beforeAll, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 
 import { buildPairingReply } from "./pairing-messages.js";
 
 describe("buildPairingReply", () => {
+  let previousProfile: string | undefined;
+
+  beforeAll(() => {
+    previousProfile = process.env.CLAWDBOT_PROFILE;
+    process.env.CLAWDBOT_PROFILE = "isolated";
+  });
+
+  afterAll(() => {
+    if (previousProfile === undefined) {
+      delete process.env.CLAWDBOT_PROFILE;
+    } else {
+      process.env.CLAWDBOT_PROFILE = previousProfile;
+    }
+  });
   const cases = [
     {
       channel: "discord",