Harden M7.6/7.7: recursive restriction accumulation, MCP server enforcement, fast-fail authorization

AGENTS.md

@@ -20,9 +20,11 @@ cf                                   # Interactive tool picker
 ## Architecture Quick Reference
 
 - `cli/` - Routes all subcommands (list, create, run, test, providers, registry, collections, deps, install, etc.)
-- `tool.py` - Tool/step dataclasses, YAML loading, wrapper generation
-- `runner.py` - Step execution, variable substitution (`{input}`, `{varname}`)
-- `providers.py` - AI provider abstraction (subprocess, API, PTY types; auto-discovery; fallback chains)
+- `tool.py` - Tool/step dataclasses, including delegated `ToolStep` context and `McpStep`
+- `runner.py` - Step execution, variable substitution, nested authorization and delegation
+- `providers.py` - AI providers, auto-discovery, fallback chains, and tool/MCP allowlists
+- `skills.py` - Per-provider Agent Skills loading and validation
+- `mcp_client.py`, `mcp_server.py` - Stdio MCP client/server support
 - `gui/` - PySide6 desktop GUI with page-based navigation
 - `web/` - Flask web UI and forum
 - `registry/` - Flask registry API (search, publish, moderation)

CLAUDE.md

@@ -40,11 +40,13 @@ python -m cmdforge.cli  # Alternative CLI invocation
 ### Core Modules (`src/cmdforge/`)
 
 - **cli/**: CLI commands entry points (`cmdforge` command). Routes subcommands: list, create, edit, delete, test, run, ui, docs, check, refresh, providers, registry, collections, deps, install, lock, verify, add, remove, init, config, settings, system-deps
-- **tool.py**: Tool definition dataclasses (`Tool`, `ToolArgument`, `PromptStep`, `CodeStep`, `ToolStep`), YAML config loading/saving, wrapper script generation
+- **tool.py**: Tool definition dataclasses (`Tool`, `ToolArgument`, `PromptStep`, `CodeStep`, `ToolStep`, `McpStep`), YAML config loading/saving, wrapper script generation
 - **runner.py**: Execution engine. Runs tool steps sequentially, handles variable substitution (`{input}`, `{varname}`), executes Python code steps via `exec()`, handles nested tool calls with depth limit (MAX_TOOL_DEPTH=10)
 - **resolver.py**: Tool resolution. `resolve_tool()` searches: project manifest → local tools → owner/name → registry. Returns `ResolvedTool` with path info
 - **collection.py**: Collection management (`Collection` dataclass, `resolve_tool_references()`, `classify_tool_reference()`), local collection storage in `~/.cmdforge/collections/`
-- **providers.py**: Provider abstraction. Supports subprocess CLI tools, OpenAI-compatible HTTP APIs, and experimental PTY wrappers. Auto-discovers installed providers on first run. Config in `~/.cmdforge/providers.yaml` with versioned migration.
+- **providers.py**: Provider abstraction. Supports subprocess CLI tools, OpenAI-compatible HTTP APIs, experimental PTY wrappers, fallback chains, and tool/MCP-server allowlists. Auto-discovers installed providers on first run. Config in `~/.cmdforge/providers.yaml` with versioned migration.
+- **skills.py**: Validated Agent Skills loader for per-provider `SKILL.md` context under `~/.cmdforge/providers/<name>/skills/`
+- **mcp_client.py / mcp_server.py**: Stdio MCP client/server integration, configuration, schema discovery, and exposure policy
 - **profiles.py**: AI persona profiles with system prompts, stored in `~/.cmdforge/profiles/`
 - **manifest.py**: Project manifest (`cmdforge.yaml`) for declaring tool dependencies with version constraints
 - **lockfile.py**: Lock file support for reproducible installs (`cmdforge.lock`)
@@ -85,7 +87,8 @@ Tools are YAML configs with:
    - `max_tokens`: Max output tokens (provider-dependent, e.g., 4096 for haiku)
    - `plain_text`: Bypass structured output enforcement
 2. **Code Step**: Executes Python code via `exec()`, captures specified variables (comma-separated for multiple outputs)
-3. **Tool Step**: Calls another tool (meta-tools), supports `input_template`, `args` dict, and `provider` override. Dependencies resolved via `resolver.py`
+3. **Tool Step**: Calls another tool (meta-tools), supports `input_template`, `args`, and recursive agent context (`provider`, `profile`, `skills`, `tools`). Provider and delegated allowlists are both enforced before resolution.
+4. **MCP Step**: Calls a tool on a configured MCP server. Provider `mcp_servers` allowlists are enforced before connecting.
 
 ### Variable Flow
 
@@ -132,6 +135,8 @@ Provider fields:
 - `tags`: List of strings (e.g. `["free", "code", "local"]`)
 - `pty_config`: Dict with `prompt_pattern`, `response_pattern`, `exit_command` for pty providers
 - `install`: Optional structured install metadata dict
+- `tools`: Optional CmdForge tool allowlist; `null` allows all and `[]` denies all
+- `mcp_servers`: Optional MCP server allowlist; `null` allows all and `[]` denies all
 
 The `mock` provider is built-in for testing without API calls. Use `--provider mock` or `--dry-run` flags when testing tools.
 

src/cmdforge/providers.py

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import re
 import shlex
 import subprocess
 import shutil
+import sys
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Optional, List
@@ -215,6 +216,19 @@ class Provider:
     tools: Optional[List[str]] = None  # Allowed CmdForge tools (None = all)
     mcp_servers: Optional[List[str]] = None  # MCP servers available to this provider
 
+    def __post_init__(self) -> None:
+        for field_name, values in (
+            ("tools", self.tools),
+            ("mcp_servers", self.mcp_servers),
+        ):
+            if values is not None and (
+                not isinstance(values, list)
+                or not all(isinstance(value, str) and value for value in values)
+            ):
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"Provider {field_name} must be a list of non-empty strings or null"
+                )
+
     def to_dict(self) -> dict:
         d = {
             "name": self.name,
@@ -238,9 +252,9 @@ class Provider:
             d["api_key_env"] = self.api_key_env
         if self.pty_config:
             d["pty_config"] = self.pty_config
-        if self.tools:
+        if self.tools is not None:
             d["tools"] = self.tools
-        if self.mcp_servers:
+        if self.mcp_servers is not None:
             d["mcp_servers"] = self.mcp_servers
         return d
 
@@ -419,8 +433,11 @@ def load_providers() -> List[Provider]:
         if not data or "providers" not in data:
             return DEFAULT_PROVIDERS.copy()
         providers = [Provider.from_dict(p) for p in data["providers"]]
-    except Exception:
-        return DEFAULT_PROVIDERS.copy()
+    except Exception as exc:
+        # A present but malformed configuration must not silently fall back to
+        # unrestricted defaults, particularly when access policies are invalid.
+        print(f"Warning: Failed to load provider configuration: {exc}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return []
 
     config_version = data.get("version", 1)
     if not isinstance(config_version, int):

src/cmdforge/runner.py

@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 """Tool execution engine."""
 
 import argparse
+import fnmatch
 import json
 import re
 import sys
+from dataclasses import replace
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Optional, List
 
@@ -737,7 +739,10 @@ def execute_tool_step(
     provider_override: Optional[str] = None,
     dry_run: bool = False,
     verbose: bool = False,
-    call_stack: Optional[list] = None
+    call_stack: Optional[list] = None,
+    agent_profile: Optional[str] = None,
+    agent_skills: Optional[List[str]] = None,
+    agent_tool_policies: Optional[List[List[str]]] = None,
 ) -> tuple[str, bool]:
     """
     Execute a tool step by calling another tool.
@@ -761,7 +766,15 @@ def execute_tool_step(
         _print_call_stack(call_stack, f"Maximum tool nesting depth ({MAX_TOOL_DEPTH}) exceeded")
         return "", False
 
-    # Resolve the tool reference
+    # Authorization must happen before resolution because resolution may fetch a
+    # missing tool from the registry.
+    effective_provider = step.provider or provider_override
+    if not _authorize_tool_call(
+        step.tool, effective_provider, agent_tool_policies, call_stack
+    ):
+        return "", False
+
+    # Resolve the tool reference only after authorization succeeds.
     try:
         resolved = resolve_tool(step.tool)
         nested_tool = resolved.tool
@@ -778,26 +791,6 @@ def execute_tool_step(
     for key, value in step.args.items():
         custom_args[key] = substitute_variables(str(value), variables, warn_non_scalar=verbose)
 
-    # Determine effective provider (step override > parent override)
-    effective_provider = step.provider or provider_override
-
-    # Check tool access if the provider restricts which tools it can call
-    if effective_provider:
-        from .providers import get_provider
-        provider_obj = get_provider(effective_provider)
-        if provider_obj and provider_obj.tools is not None:
-            allowed = provider_obj.tools
-            if step.tool not in allowed and not _tool_match_allowlist(step.tool, allowed):
-                _print_call_stack(
-                    call_stack,
-                    f"Provider '{effective_provider}' is not allowed to call tool '{step.tool}'",
-                )
-                print(
-                    f"Provider '{effective_provider}' tools allowlist: {allowed}",
-                    file=sys.stderr,
-                )
-                return "", False
-
     if verbose:
         print(f"[verbose] Tool step: calling {step.tool}", file=sys.stderr)
         print(f"[verbose]   Input length: {len(input_text)} chars", file=sys.stderr)
@@ -817,8 +810,11 @@ def execute_tool_step(
         verbose=verbose,
         _depth=depth + 1,
         _call_stack=call_stack,
-        agent_profile=step.profile,
-        agent_skills=step.skills,
+        agent_profile=step.profile if step.profile is not None else agent_profile,
+        agent_skills=step.skills if step.skills is not None else agent_skills,
+        agent_tool_policies=_extend_agent_tool_policies(
+            agent_tool_policies, step.tools
+        ),
     )
 
     return output, exit_code == 0
@@ -837,6 +833,7 @@ def run_tool(
     _call_stack: Optional[list] = None,
     agent_profile: Optional[str] = None,
     agent_skills: Optional[List[str]] = None,
+    agent_tool_policies: Optional[List[List[str]]] = None,
 ) -> tuple[str, int]:
     """
     Execute a tool.
@@ -1017,7 +1014,10 @@ def run_tool(
                 provider_override=provider_override,
                 dry_run=dry_run,
                 verbose=verbose,
-                call_stack=step_stack
+                call_stack=step_stack,
+                agent_profile=agent_profile,
+                agent_skills=agent_skills,
+                agent_tool_policies=agent_tool_policies,
             )
             if not success:
                 return "", 3
@@ -1033,6 +1033,11 @@ def run_tool(
             if dry_run:
                 variables[step.output_var] = f"[DRY RUN - would call mcp:{step.server}/{step.tool}]"
             else:
+                step_stack = _call_stack + [(tool.name, i + 1)]
+                if not _authorize_mcp_call(
+                    step.server, provider_override, step_stack
+                ):
+                    return "", 4
                 args = _substitute_mcp_args(step.arguments, variables)
                 try:
                     if mcp_manager is None:
@@ -1227,27 +1232,96 @@ def main():
     sys.exit(exit_code)
 
 
-def _tool_match_allowlist(name: str, allowed: list) -> bool:
-    for pattern in allowed:
-        if pattern == name:
-            return True
-        if pattern.endswith("*") and name.startswith(pattern[:-1]):
-            return True
+def _matches_allowlist(name: str, allowed: List[str]) -> bool:
+    return any(fnmatch.fnmatchcase(name, pattern) for pattern in allowed)
+
+
+def _authorize_tool_call(
+    name: str,
+    provider_name: Optional[str],
+    agent_tool_policies: Optional[List[List[str]]],
+    call_stack: list,
+) -> bool:
+    """Enforce provider and delegated-agent tool policies."""
+    if provider_name:
+        from .providers import get_provider
+        provider = get_provider(provider_name)
+        if provider is None:
+            _print_call_stack(
+                call_stack,
+                f"Provider '{provider_name}' is not configured; refusing tool call '{name}'",
+            )
             return False
+        if provider.tools is not None and not _matches_allowlist(name, provider.tools):
+            _print_call_stack(
+                call_stack,
+                f"Provider '{provider_name}' is not allowed to call tool '{name}'",
+            )
+            print(
+                f"Provider '{provider_name}' tools allowlist: {provider.tools}",
+                file=sys.stderr,
+            )
+            return False
+
+    for policy in agent_tool_policies or []:
+        if not _matches_allowlist(name, policy):
+            _print_call_stack(
+                call_stack,
+                f"Delegated agent is not allowed to call tool '{name}'",
+            )
+            print(f"Delegated agent tools allowlist: {policy}", file=sys.stderr)
+            return False
+    return True
+
+
+def _extend_agent_tool_policies(
+    policies: Optional[List[List[str]]],
+    additional: Optional[List[str]],
+) -> Optional[List[List[str]]]:
+    """Add a restriction without allowing descendants to broaden ancestors."""
+    if additional is None:
+        return policies
+    return [*(policies or []), additional]
+
+
+def _authorize_mcp_call(
+    server: str,
+    provider_name: Optional[str],
+    call_stack: list,
+) -> bool:
+    """Enforce the effective provider's MCP-server policy."""
+    if not provider_name:
+        return True
+
+    from .providers import get_provider
+    provider = get_provider(provider_name)
+    if provider is None:
+        _print_call_stack(
+            call_stack,
+            f"Provider '{provider_name}' is not configured; refusing MCP server '{server}'",
+        )
+        return False
+    if provider.mcp_servers is not None and not _matches_allowlist(
+        server, provider.mcp_servers
+    ):
+        _print_call_stack(
+            call_stack,
+            f"Provider '{provider_name}' is not allowed to use MCP server '{server}'",
+        )
+        print(
+            f"Provider '{provider_name}' MCP server allowlist: {provider.mcp_servers}",
+            file=sys.stderr,
+        )
+        return False
+    return True
 
 
 def _step_with_profile(step, profile_name):
-    from copy import copy
-    s = copy(step)
-    s.profile = profile_name
-    return s
+    return replace(step, profile=profile_name)
 
 
 def _step_with_skills(step, skill_names):
-    from copy import copy
-    s = copy(step)
-    s.skills = skill_names
-    return s
+    return replace(step, skills=skill_names)
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":

src/cmdforge/tool.py

@@ -17,6 +17,33 @@ TOOLS_DIR = Path.home() / ".cmdforge"
 BIN_DIR = Path.home() / ".local" / "bin"
 
 
+def _validate_skill_selection(skills: Optional[List[str]]) -> None:
+    """Validate a step's optional Agent Skills selection."""
+    if skills is None:
+        return
+    if not isinstance(skills, list):
+        raise ValueError("skills must be a list of skill names")
+    if any(not isinstance(name, str) for name in skills):
+        raise ValueError("skills entries must be strings")
+    if "*" in skills and skills != ["*"]:
+        raise ValueError("'*' must be the only entry when enabling all skills")
+    if len(skills) != len(set(skills)):
+        raise ValueError("skills must not contain duplicate names")
+
+    from .skills import _validate_skill_name
+    for name in skills:
+        if name != "*":
+            _validate_skill_name(name)
+
+
+def _validate_optional_patterns(patterns: Optional[List[str]], field_name: str) -> None:
+    if patterns is not None and (
+        not isinstance(patterns, list)
+        or not all(isinstance(pattern, str) and pattern for pattern in patterns)
+    ):
+        raise ValueError(f"{field_name} must be a list of non-empty strings or null")
+
+
 @dataclass
 class SystemDependency:
     """A system-level package dependency (apt, brew, pacman, etc.)."""
@@ -133,21 +160,7 @@ class PromptStep:
     skills: Optional[List[str]] = None  # Skill names to enable for this step
 
     def __post_init__(self) -> None:
-        if self.skills is None:
-            return
-        if not isinstance(self.skills, list):
-            raise ValueError("skills must be a list of skill names")
-        if any(not isinstance(name, str) for name in self.skills):
-            raise ValueError("skills entries must be strings")
-        if "*" in self.skills and self.skills != ["*"]:
-            raise ValueError("'*' must be the only entry when enabling all skills")
-        if len(self.skills) != len(set(self.skills)):
-            raise ValueError("skills must not contain duplicate names")
-
-        from .skills import _validate_skill_name
-        for name in self.skills:
-            if name != "*":
-                _validate_skill_name(name)
+        _validate_skill_selection(self.skills)
 
     def to_dict(self) -> dict:
         d = {
@@ -244,6 +257,15 @@ class ToolStep:
     profile: Optional[str] = None  # AI persona for the nested tool
     skills: Optional[List[str]] = None  # Skills to enable in the nested tool
     name: Optional[str] = None  # Optional display name for the step
+    tools: Optional[List[str]] = None  # Tools the delegated agent may call
+
+    def __post_init__(self) -> None:
+        _validate_skill_selection(self.skills)
+        _validate_optional_patterns(self.tools, "tools")
+        if self.profile is not None and (
+            not isinstance(self.profile, str) or not self.profile
+        ):
+            raise ValueError("profile must be a non-empty string or null")
 
     def to_dict(self) -> dict:
         d = {
@@ -261,6 +283,8 @@ class ToolStep:
             d["profile"] = self.profile
         if self.skills is not None:
             d["skills"] = self.skills
+        if self.tools is not None:
+            d["tools"] = self.tools
         if self.name:
             d["name"] = self.name
         return d
@@ -275,6 +299,7 @@ class ToolStep:
             provider=data.get("provider"),
             profile=data.get("profile"),
             skills=data.get("skills"),
+            tools=data.get("tools"),
             name=data.get("name")
         )
 

tests/test_providers.py

@@ -172,6 +172,20 @@ class TestProviderPersistence:
 
         assert oct(temp_providers_file.stat().st_mode & 0o777) == "0o600"
 
+    def test_malformed_access_policy_fails_closed(self, temp_providers_file, capsys):
+        temp_providers_file.parent.mkdir(parents=True)
+        temp_providers_file.write_text(yaml.safe_dump({
+            "version": 2,
+            "providers": [{
+                "name": "claude",
+                "command": "claude -p",
+                "tools": "should-have-been-a-list",
+            }],
+        }))
+
+        assert load_providers() == []
+        assert "Failed to load provider configuration" in capsys.readouterr().err
+
     def test_legacy_config_gains_missing_defaults_without_losing_custom_provider(self, temp_providers_file):
         temp_providers_file.parent.mkdir(parents=True)
         temp_providers_file.write_text(yaml.safe_dump({
@@ -810,3 +824,28 @@ class TestProviderAccessControl:
         provider = Provider("test", "cmd")
         assert "tools" not in provider.to_dict()
         assert "mcp_servers" not in provider.to_dict()
+
+    def test_empty_allowlists_survive_roundtrip(self):
+        provider = Provider("locked", "cmd", tools=[], mcp_servers=[])
+        serialized = provider.to_dict()
+        assert serialized["tools"] == []
+        assert serialized["mcp_servers"] == []
+
+        restored = Provider.from_dict(serialized)
+        assert restored.tools == []
+        assert restored.mcp_servers == []
+
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        ("field", "value"),
+        [
+            ("tools", "tool-a"),
+            ("tools", [""]),
+            ("tools", [1]),
+            ("mcp_servers", "filesystem"),
+            ("mcp_servers", [""]),
+            ("mcp_servers", [1]),
+        ],
+    )
+    def test_rejects_invalid_access_policies(self, field, value):
+        with pytest.raises(ValueError, match=field):
+            Provider("test", "cmd", **{field: value})

tests/test_runner.py

@@ -1,18 +1,20 @@
 """Tests for runner.py - Tool execution engine."""
 
 import pytest
+from types import SimpleNamespace
 from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
 
 from cmdforge.runner import (
     substitute_variables,
     execute_prompt_step,
     execute_code_step,
+    execute_tool_step,
     run_tool,
     create_argument_parser,
     collect_custom_args
 )
-from cmdforge.tool import Tool, ToolArgument, PromptStep, CodeStep
-from cmdforge.providers import ProviderResult
+from cmdforge.tool import Tool, ToolArgument, PromptStep, CodeStep, ToolStep, McpStep
+from cmdforge.providers import Provider, ProviderResult
 
 
 class TestSubstituteVariables:
@@ -1010,3 +1012,178 @@ class TestCreateArgumentParser:
             "max_size": "50",
             "format": "json",
         }
+
+
+class TestProviderExecutionPolicies:
+    def test_denied_tool_is_not_resolved(self, monkeypatch):
+        resolver = MagicMock()
+        monkeypatch.setattr("cmdforge.runner.resolve_tool", resolver)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "cmdforge.providers.get_provider",
+            lambda name: Provider(name, "cmd", tools=[]),
+        )
+
+        output, success = execute_tool_step(
+            ToolStep(tool="forbidden", output_var="out", provider="locked"),
+            {"input": ""},
+        )
+
+        assert (output, success) == ("", False)
+        resolver.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_unknown_provider_is_rejected_before_resolution(self, monkeypatch):
+        resolver = MagicMock()
+        monkeypatch.setattr("cmdforge.runner.resolve_tool", resolver)
+        monkeypatch.setattr("cmdforge.providers.get_provider", lambda name: None)
+
+        _, success = execute_tool_step(
+            ToolStep(tool="anything", output_var="out", provider="missing"),
+            {"input": ""},
+        )
+
+        assert success is False
+        resolver.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_provider_and_delegated_allowlists_both_apply(self, monkeypatch):
+        leaf = Tool(name="safe-lint", output="completed")
+        resolver = MagicMock(return_value=SimpleNamespace(tool=leaf))
+        monkeypatch.setattr("cmdforge.runner.resolve_tool", resolver)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "cmdforge.providers.get_provider",
+            lambda name: Provider(name, "cmd", tools=["safe-*"]),
+        )
+
+        output, success = execute_tool_step(
+            ToolStep(tool="safe-lint", output_var="out", provider="restricted"),
+            {"input": ""},
+            agent_tool_policies=[["*-lint"]],
+        )
+
+        assert (output, success) == ("completed", True)
+        resolver.assert_called_once_with("safe-lint")
+
+    def test_delegated_allowlist_can_further_restrict_provider(self, monkeypatch):
+        resolver = MagicMock()
+        monkeypatch.setattr("cmdforge.runner.resolve_tool", resolver)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "cmdforge.providers.get_provider",
+            lambda name: Provider(name, "cmd", tools=["*"]),
+        )
+
+        _, success = execute_tool_step(
+            ToolStep(tool="unsafe-delete", output_var="out", provider="broad"),
+            {"input": ""},
+            agent_tool_policies=[["safe-*"]],
+        )
+
+        assert success is False
+        resolver.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_mcp_server_policy_denies_before_manager_creation(self, monkeypatch):
+        manager = MagicMock()
+        monkeypatch.setattr("cmdforge.runner.McpClientManager", manager)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "cmdforge.providers.get_provider",
+            lambda name: Provider(name, "cmd", mcp_servers=[]),
+        )
+        tool = Tool(
+            name="mcp-tool",
+            steps=[McpStep(server="database", tool="query", output_var="result")],
+            output="{result}",
+        )
+
+        output, exit_code = run_tool(
+            tool, "", {}, provider_override="restricted"
+        )
+
+        assert (output, exit_code) == ("", 4)
+        manager.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_mcp_server_policy_allows_matching_server(self, monkeypatch):
+        class FakeManager:
+            def call_tool(self, server, tool, arguments, result_mode="auto"):
+                return "allowed"
+
+        monkeypatch.setattr("cmdforge.runner.McpClientManager", FakeManager)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "cmdforge.providers.get_provider",
+            lambda name: Provider(name, "cmd", mcp_servers=["data-*"]),
+        )
+        tool = Tool(
+            name="mcp-tool",
+            steps=[McpStep(server="data-local", tool="query", output_var="result")],
+            output="{result}",
+        )
+
+        assert run_tool(tool, "", {}, provider_override="restricted") == (
+            "allowed", 0
+        )
+
+    def test_agent_context_propagates_through_nested_tools(self, monkeypatch):
+        captured = {}
+        leaf = Tool(
+            name="leaf",
+            steps=[PromptStep("prompt", "original", "answer")],
+            output="{answer}",
+        )
+        middle = Tool(
+            name="middle",
+            steps=[ToolStep(tool="leaf", output_var="child")],
+            output="{child}",
+        )
+        root = Tool(
+            name="root",
+            steps=[
+                ToolStep(
+                    tool="middle",
+                    output_var="delegated",
+                    provider="delegate",
+                    profile="architect",
+                    skills=["python"],
+                    tools=["leaf"],
+                )
+            ],
+            output="{delegated}",
+        )
+
+        def resolve(name):
+            return SimpleNamespace(tool={"middle": middle, "leaf": leaf}[name])
+
+        def execute_prompt(step, *args, **kwargs):
+            captured["step"] = step
+            captured["provider_override"] = args[1]
+            return "done", True
+
+        monkeypatch.setattr("cmdforge.runner.resolve_tool", resolve)
+        monkeypatch.setattr("cmdforge.runner.execute_prompt_step", execute_prompt)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "cmdforge.providers.get_provider",
+            lambda name: Provider(name, "cmd", tools=["middle", "leaf"]),
+        )
+
+        assert run_tool(root, "", {}) == ("done", 0)
+        assert captured["step"].profile == "architect"
+        assert captured["step"].skills == ["python"]
+        assert captured["provider_override"] == "delegate"
+
+    def test_descendant_cannot_broaden_ancestor_tool_policy(self, monkeypatch):
+        resolver = MagicMock()
+        monkeypatch.setattr("cmdforge.runner.resolve_tool", resolver)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            "cmdforge.providers.get_provider",
+            lambda name: Provider(name, "cmd", tools=["*"]),
+        )
+
+        _, success = execute_tool_step(
+            ToolStep(
+                tool="dangerous",
+                output_var="out",
+                provider="delegate",
+                tools=["*"],
+            ),
+            {"input": ""},
+            agent_tool_policies=[["safe-*"]],
+        )
+
+        assert success is False
+        resolver.assert_not_called()

tests/test_tool.py

@@ -609,6 +609,35 @@ class TestAgentContext:
         assert "skills" not in d
         assert "profile" not in d
 
+    def test_toolstep_tools_roundtrip(self):
+        step = ToolStep(
+            tool="my-tool", output_var="out", tools=["safe-*", "official/lint"]
+        )
+        assert ToolStep.from_dict(step.to_dict()).tools == [
+            "safe-*", "official/lint"
+        ]
+
+    def test_toolstep_empty_tools_roundtrip(self):
+        step = ToolStep(tool="my-tool", output_var="out", tools=[])
+        serialized = step.to_dict()
+        assert serialized["tools"] == []
+        assert ToolStep.from_dict(serialized).tools == []
+
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        "data",
+        [
+            {"skills": "python"},
+            {"skills": ["*", "python"]},
+            {"skills": ["Python"]},
+            {"tools": "safe-tool"},
+            {"tools": [""]},
+            {"profile": ""},
+        ],
+    )
+    def test_toolstep_rejects_invalid_agent_context(self, data):
+        with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+            ToolStep(tool="my-tool", output_var="out", **data)
+
     def test_promptstep_skills_roundtrip(self):
         step = PromptStep(
             prompt="Test", provider="claude", output_var="out",