diff --git a/src/agents/cli-runner.ts b/src/agents/cli-runner.ts
index 3d9e12dec..2ae0fa1ca 100644
--- a/src/agents/cli-runner.ts
+++ b/src/agents/cli-runner.ts
@@ -65,7 +65,8 @@ export async function runCliAgent(params: {
 
   const extraSystemPrompt = [
     params.extraSystemPrompt?.trim(),
-    "Tools are disabled in this session. Do not call tools.",
+    // Only add "tools disabled" message if tools aren't enabled for this backend
+    backend.toolsEnabled ? undefined : "Tools are disabled in this session. Do not call tools.",
   ]
     .filter(Boolean)
     .join("\n");
diff --git a/src/config/types.agent-defaults.ts b/src/config/types.agent-defaults.ts
index 9c6ce0211..af557cb49 100644
--- a/src/config/types.agent-defaults.ts
+++ b/src/config/types.agent-defaults.ts
@@ -89,6 +89,8 @@ export type CliBackendConfig = {
   imageMode?: "repeat" | "list";
   /** Serialize runs for this CLI. */
   serialize?: boolean;
+  /** Whether tools are enabled for this CLI backend (default: false). */
+  toolsEnabled?: boolean;
 };
 
 export type AgentDefaultsConfig = {