diff --git a/src/cmdforge/registry/app.py b/src/cmdforge/registry/app.py
index f17888f..04971a8 100644
--- a/src/cmdforge/registry/app.py
+++ b/src/cmdforge/registry/app.py
@@ -2001,7 +2001,7 @@ def create_app() -> Flask:
         row = query_one(
             g.db,
             """
-            SELECT name, version, moderation_status, config_hash, published_at
+            SELECT name, version, moderation_status, moderation_note, config_hash, published_at
             FROM tools
             WHERE owner = ? AND name = ?
             ORDER BY published_at DESC
@@ -2013,15 +2013,19 @@ def create_app() -> Flask:
         if not row:
             return error_response("TOOL_NOT_FOUND", f"Tool '{name}' not found", 404)
 
-        return jsonify({
-            "data": {
-                "name": row["name"],
-                "version": row["version"],
-                "status": row["moderation_status"],
-                "config_hash": row["config_hash"],
-                "published_at": row["published_at"],
-            }
-        })
+        result = {
+            "name": row["name"],
+            "version": row["version"],
+            "status": row["moderation_status"],
+            "config_hash": row["config_hash"],
+            "published_at": row["published_at"],
+        }
+
+        # Include feedback if status is changes_requested or rejected
+        if row["moderation_status"] in ("changes_requested", "rejected") and row["moderation_note"]:
+            result["feedback"] = row["moderation_note"]
+
+        return jsonify({"data": result})
 
     @app.route("/api/v1/tools/<owner>/<name>/deprecate", methods=["POST"])
     @require_token
@@ -2665,6 +2669,41 @@ def create_app() -> Flask:
 
         return jsonify({"data": {"status": "rejected", "tool_id": tool_id}})
 
+    @app.route("/api/v1/admin/tools/<int:tool_id>/request-changes", methods=["POST"])
+    @require_moderator
+    def admin_request_changes(tool_id: int) -> Response:
+        """Request changes from tool publisher before approval."""
+        data = request.get_json() or {}
+        feedback = (data.get("feedback") or data.get("reason") or "").strip()
+
+        if not feedback:
+            return error_response("VALIDATION_ERROR", "Feedback is required", 400)
+
+        tool = query_one(g.db, "SELECT * FROM tools WHERE id = ?", [tool_id])
+        if not tool:
+            return error_response("TOOL_NOT_FOUND", "Tool not found", 404)
+
+        g.db.execute(
+            """
+            UPDATE tools
+            SET moderation_status = 'changes_requested',
+                moderation_note = ?,
+                moderated_by = ?,
+                moderated_at = ?
+            WHERE id = ?
+            """,
+            [feedback, g.current_publisher["slug"], datetime.utcnow().isoformat(), tool_id],
+        )
+        g.db.commit()
+
+        log_audit("request_changes", "tool", str(tool_id), {
+            "tool": f"{tool['owner']}/{tool['name']}",
+            "version": tool["version"],
+            "feedback": feedback[:200],  # Truncate for audit log
+        })
+
+        return jsonify({"data": {"status": "changes_requested", "tool_id": tool_id}})
+
     @app.route("/api/v1/admin/scrutiny", methods=["GET"])
     @require_moderator
     def admin_scrutiny_audit() -> Response:
diff --git a/src/cmdforge/web/templates/admin/pending.html b/src/cmdforge/web/templates/admin/pending.html
index e65c7dd..d485b68 100644
--- a/src/cmdforge/web/templates/admin/pending.html
+++ b/src/cmdforge/web/templates/admin/pending.html
@@ -78,7 +78,8 @@
                         {{ tool.published_at[:10] if tool.published_at else 'Unknown' }}
                     </td>
                     <td class="px-6 py-4 whitespace-nowrap text-right text-sm font-medium">
-                        <button onclick="approveTool({{ tool.id }})" class="text-green-600 hover:text-green-900 mr-3">Approve</button>
+                        <button onclick="approveTool({{ tool.id }})" class="text-green-600 hover:text-green-900 mr-2">Approve</button>
+                        <button onclick="requestChanges({{ tool.id }})" class="text-yellow-600 hover:text-yellow-900 mr-2">Changes</button>
                         <button onclick="rejectTool({{ tool.id }})" class="text-red-600 hover:text-red-900">Reject</button>
                     </td>
                 </tr>
@@ -193,11 +194,33 @@
         <div class="px-6 py-4 flex justify-end space-x-3 border-t bg-gray-50 rounded-b-lg flex-shrink-0">
             <button onclick="closeDetailModal()" class="px-4 py-2 text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 hover:text-gray-500">Close</button>
             <button id="detail-approve-btn" class="px-4 py-2 bg-green-600 text-white text-sm font-medium rounded-md hover:bg-green-700">Approve</button>
+            <button id="detail-changes-btn" class="px-4 py-2 bg-yellow-500 text-white text-sm font-medium rounded-md hover:bg-yellow-600">Request Changes</button>
             <button id="detail-reject-btn" class="px-4 py-2 bg-red-600 text-white text-sm font-medium rounded-md hover:bg-red-700">Reject</button>
         </div>
     </div>
 </div>
 
+<!-- Request Changes Modal -->
+<div id="changes-modal" class="fixed inset-0 bg-gray-900 bg-opacity-60 hidden overflow-y-auto h-full w-full z-50">
+    <div id="changes-modal-content" class="relative top-20 mx-auto border-2 border-gray-300 w-[32rem] shadow-2xl rounded-lg bg-white">
+        <div id="changes-modal-header" class="cursor-move select-none bg-gray-50 px-5 py-4 rounded-t-lg border-b border-gray-200">
+            <h3 class="text-lg font-medium text-gray-900">Request Changes</h3>
+            <p class="text-sm text-gray-500 mt-1">This feedback will be visible to the publisher</p>
+        </div>
+        <div class="p-5">
+            <label class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-2">Feedback for publisher:</label>
+            <textarea id="changes-feedback" rows="5" class="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-yellow-500" placeholder="Describe what changes are needed..."></textarea>
+            <div class="mt-2 text-xs text-gray-500">
+                Tip: Include specific issues and suggestions for improvement
+            </div>
+            <div class="mt-4 flex justify-end space-x-3">
+                <button onclick="closeChangesModal()" class="px-4 py-2 text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 hover:text-gray-500">Cancel</button>
+                <button onclick="confirmRequestChanges()" class="px-4 py-2 bg-yellow-500 text-white text-sm font-medium rounded-md hover:bg-yellow-600">Send Feedback</button>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+</div>
+
 <!-- Reject Modal -->
 <div id="reject-modal" class="fixed inset-0 bg-gray-900 bg-opacity-60 hidden overflow-y-auto h-full w-full z-50">
     <div id="reject-modal-content" class="relative top-20 mx-auto border-2 border-gray-300 w-96 shadow-2xl rounded-lg bg-white">
@@ -386,6 +409,10 @@ async function viewTool(toolId) {
             closeDetailModal();
             rejectTool(toolId);
         };
+        document.getElementById('detail-changes-btn').onclick = () => {
+            closeDetailModal();
+            requestChanges(toolId);
+        };
 
         document.getElementById('detail-loading').classList.add('hidden');
         document.getElementById('detail-content').classList.remove('hidden');
@@ -488,6 +515,55 @@ async function confirmReject() {
     }
 }
 
+function requestChanges(toolId) {
+    currentToolId = toolId;
+    document.getElementById('changes-modal').classList.remove('hidden');
+    document.body.style.overflow = 'hidden';
+    document.getElementById('changes-feedback').value = '';
+}
+
+function closeChangesModal() {
+    document.getElementById('changes-modal').classList.add('hidden');
+    document.body.style.overflow = '';
+    const modal = document.getElementById('changes-modal-content');
+    modal.style.position = '';
+    modal.style.left = '';
+    modal.style.top = '';
+    modal.style.margin = '';
+    modal.style.transform = '';
+    currentToolId = null;
+}
+
+async function confirmRequestChanges() {
+    const feedback = document.getElementById('changes-feedback').value.trim();
+    if (!feedback) {
+        alert('Feedback is required');
+        return;
+    }
+    try {
+        const response = await fetch(`/api/v1/admin/tools/${currentToolId}/request-changes`, {
+            method: 'POST',
+            headers: {
+                'Authorization': 'Bearer {{ session.get("auth_token") }}',
+                'Content-Type': 'application/json'
+            },
+            body: JSON.stringify({ feedback })
+        });
+        if (response.ok) {
+            closeChangesModal();
+            const row = document.getElementById(`tool-row-${currentToolId}`);
+            if (row) row.remove();
+            location.reload();
+        } else {
+            const data = await response.json();
+            alert(data.error?.message || 'Failed to request changes');
+        }
+    } catch (error) {
+        console.error('Request changes error:', error);
+        alert('Error: ' + (error.message || 'Unknown error occurred'));
+    }
+}
+
 // Draggable modal functionality
 function makeDraggable(modalContentId, headerHandleId) {
     const modal = document.getElementById(modalContentId);
@@ -539,6 +615,7 @@ function makeDraggable(modalContentId, headerHandleId) {
 document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
     makeDraggable('detail-modal-content', 'detail-modal-header');
     makeDraggable('reject-modal-content', 'reject-modal-header');
+    makeDraggable('changes-modal-content', 'changes-modal-header');
 });
 </script>
 {% endblock %}