diff --git a/cli.py b/cli.py
index 86980375fc..dc45f5b837 100644
--- a/cli.py
+++ b/cli.py
@@ -3015,12 +3015,6 @@ class HermesCLI(CLIProcessNotificationsMixin, CLIAgentSetupMixin, CLICommandsMix
         set_unlock_prompt_callback(self._vault_unlock_callback)
         set_save_login_prompt_callback(self._vault_save_login_callback)
         set_code_prompt_callback(self._vault_code_callback)
-        try:
-            from tools.computer_use_tool import set_approval_callback as _set_cu_cb
-
-            _set_cu_cb(self._computer_use_approval_callback)
-        except ImportError:
-            pass
         self._tool_callbacks_installed = True
 
     def _ensure_tirith_security(self) -> None:
diff --git a/hermes_cli/cli_modal_mixin.py b/hermes_cli/cli_modal_mixin.py
index f1eb50ba93..c2c940da0d 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/cli_modal_mixin.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/cli_modal_mixin.py
@@ -815,20 +815,6 @@ class CLIModalMixin:
             choices.append("view")
         return choices
 
-    def _computer_use_approval_callback(self, action: str, args: dict, summary: str) -> str:
-        """Adapt the generic approval UI (once/session/always/deny) to the computer_use verdicts
-        (approve_once/approve_session/always_approve/deny)."""
-        verdict = self._approval_callback(
-            command=f"computer_use: {summary}",
-            description=f"Allow computer_use to perform `{action}`?")
-        return {
-            "once": "approve_once",
-            "session": "approve_session",
-            "always": "always_approve",
-            "deny": "deny",
-            "timeout": "timeout",
-        }.get(verdict, "deny")
-
     def _handle_approval_selection(self) -> None:
         """Process the currently selected dangerous-command approval choice."""
         state = self._approval_state
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 62201be60a..f69c015404 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -1766,25 +1766,15 @@ def _audio_playback_guard(request, monkeypatch):
 
 @pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
 def _isolate_computer_use_approval_state():
-    """Reset computer-use approval globals after every test.
+    """Reset the computer-use explicit approval callback after every test.
 
-    ``tools.computer_use.tool`` keeps three module-globals for the CLI
-    approval flow: ``_approval_callback`` (set by the CLI console on init)
-    plus the per-session unlock stores ``_always_allow`` /
-    ``_session_auto_approve``. A test that installs a callback — or drives
-    CLI init far enough that the real one is registered — and does not reset
-    it poisons every later computer-use test in the same process:
-
-    * a leaked callback that raises (dead UI/queue infra, or a stale
-      two-argument signature — the real contract is ``(action, args,
-      summary)``) turns into ``verdict = "deny"`` in ``_request_approval``,
-      so dispatch tests fail with an empty backend call list;
-    * a leaked callback that blocks (the real CLI one waits on an answer
-      queue) hangs the whole single-process run forever — pytest-timeout is
-      the only thing that can cut it.
-
-    Both symptoms are order-dependent: the affected files pass in isolation
-    and only fail in full-suite runs. Teardown-only, so tests that install
+    ``tools.computer_use.tool._approval_callback`` is a module-global handed to
+    the shared approval gate as its explicit callback, where it takes precedence
+    over the per-thread terminal one. A test that installs it and does not
+    reset it poisons every later computer-use test in the same process: a
+    leaked callback that raises becomes a deny, a leaked one that blocks (the
+    real CLI one waits on an answer queue) hangs the whole single-process run.
+    Both symptoms are order-dependent. Teardown-only, so tests that install
     their own callback keep it for their own duration.
     """
     yield
@@ -1792,9 +1782,6 @@ def _isolate_computer_use_approval_state():
         from tools.computer_use import tool as _cu_tool
 
         _cu_tool.set_approval_callback(None)
-        with _cu_tool._approval_lock:
-            _cu_tool._always_allow.clear()
-            _cu_tool._session_auto_approve.clear()
     except Exception:
         pass
 
diff --git a/tests/tools/conftest.py b/tests/tools/conftest.py
index f5c2c431fd..a12be220a0 100644
--- a/tests/tools/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/tools/conftest.py
@@ -104,6 +104,23 @@ def register_all_web_providers():
         register_provider(cls())
 
 
+@pytest.fixture
+def grant_computer_use_approvals(monkeypatch):
+    """Answer every computer_use approval prompt with "once" through the shared gate.
+
+    computer_use fails CLOSED when nobody can answer (no interactive user, no
+    gateway), so dispatch tests that only care about routing must present an
+    interactive CLI with a granting callback. "once" persists nothing, so no
+    grant leaks into ``tools.approval``'s session/permanent stores.
+    """
+    from tools.computer_use import tool as cu_tool
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_INTERACTIVE", "1")
+    cu_tool.set_approval_callback(lambda command, description, **kw: "once")
+    yield
+    cu_tool.set_approval_callback(None)
+
+
 @pytest.fixture
 def web_registry_populated():
     """Populate the web-search-provider registry for one test, then reset."""
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_computer_use.py b/tests/tools/test_computer_use.py
index 9e39e502e7..65dce0aead 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_computer_use.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_computer_use.py
@@ -18,8 +18,9 @@ import pytest
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 @pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
-def _reset_backend():
-    """Tear down the cached backend between tests."""
+def _reset_backend(grant_computer_use_approvals):
+    """Tear down the cached backend between tests; destructive actions get an interactive "once"
+    through the shared approval gate (the tool fails closed with nobody to ask)."""
     from tools.computer_use.tool import reset_backend_for_tests
     reset_backend_for_tests()
     # Force the noop backend.
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_approval_isolation.py b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_approval_isolation.py
index 06ce41509b..1c1e3f9aae 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_approval_isolation.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_approval_isolation.py
@@ -1,17 +1,22 @@
-"""Regression: leaked approval callbacks must not poison later tests.
+"""computer_use approval is the shared ``tools.approval`` gate — no private grant store, no default-allow.
 
-``tools.computer_use.tool._approval_callback`` and the per-session unlock
-stores are module-globals. Without the autouse reset fixture in
-``tests/conftest.py``, a test that installs a callback and "forgets" it
-changes the behavior of every later computer-use test in the process:
-a raising callback becomes ``verdict = "deny"`` (dispatch tests see an
-empty backend call list), a blocking callback hangs the run. The pair
-below simulates the forgetful test and asserts the next test still sees
-default-allow behavior.
+Two contracts:
+
+* With nobody able to answer (no interactive CLI, no gateway, yolo off) a destructive action is REFUSED and
+  never reaches the backend; under yolo it runs. Historically the tool default-allowed whenever no CLI callback
+  was wired, which made every headless host (cron, api_server, tui_gateway, gateway turns) run desktop input
+  ungated.
+* A grant answered through computer_use lives in ``tools.approval``'s store under computer_use's own scope key,
+  so ``is_approved`` sees it and ``clear_session`` retires it like any terminal pattern.
+
+A leaked callback still poisons later tests (a raising one becomes deny, a blocking one hangs), so the autouse
+reset in ``tests/conftest.py`` stays and the polluter/observer pair below keeps proving it.
 """
 
 import json
 
+import pytest
+
 
 def _install_backend(cu_tool):
     class _RecordingBackend:
@@ -47,29 +52,79 @@ def _install_backend(cu_tool):
     return backend
 
 
-def test_a_forgets_a_poisoned_approval_callback():
-    """Simulates the polluter: installs a callback with the LEGACY
-    two-argument signature and deliberately does not reset it."""
-    from tools.computer_use import tool as cu_tool
+@pytest.fixture
+def _nobody_to_ask(monkeypatch):
+    """No interactive CLI, no gateway, no per-thread terminal callback, yolo off."""
+    from tools import approval
 
-    def stale_two_arg_callback(action, args):  # wrong arity on purpose
-        return "approve_once"
-
-    cu_tool.set_approval_callback(stale_two_arg_callback)
-    # no reset — the autouse fixture must clean this up
+    for name in ("HERMES_INTERACTIVE", "HERMES_GATEWAY_SESSION", "HERMES_EXEC_ASK", "HERMES_YOLO_MODE"):
+        monkeypatch.delenv(name, raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(approval, "_YOLO_MODE_FROZEN", False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("tools.terminal_tool._get_approval_callback", lambda: None)
+    yield
 
 
-def test_b_still_dispatches_with_default_allow():
-    """Without the isolation fixture this fails: the stale callback raises
-    (arity), ``_request_approval`` converts that into a deny, and the
-    backend never sees the click."""
+def test_no_callback_refuses_unless_yolo(_nobody_to_ask, monkeypatch):
+    """Fail closed: with no human reachable the click is blocked and the backend sees nothing; yolo lets it run."""
+    from tools import approval
     from tools.computer_use import tool as cu_tool
 
     backend = _install_backend(cu_tool)
+    result = json.loads(cu_tool.handle_computer_use({"action": "click", "element": 3}))
+    assert result["error"].startswith("BLOCKED"), result
+    assert result["action"] == "click"
+    assert backend.calls == []
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(approval, "_YOLO_MODE_FROZEN", True)
     result = cu_tool.handle_computer_use({"action": "click", "element": 3})
-    call_names = [c[0] for c in backend.calls]
-    assert "click" in call_names, (
-        f"leaked approval callback poisoned this test: {result!r}"
-    )
-    payload = json.loads(result) if isinstance(result, str) else result
-    assert not (isinstance(payload, dict) and payload.get("error"))
+    assert [name for name, _ in backend.calls] == ["click"], result
+
+
+def test_always_grant_lands_in_the_shared_store(monkeypatch):
+    """One grant store: an "always" answered through computer_use is what ``tools.approval.is_approved`` reports
+    for the same session and ``cua:<action>:<mode>`` key, and the next call is served from that store."""
+    from tools import approval
+    from tools.approval_context import reset_current_session_key, set_current_session_key
+    from tools.computer_use import tool as cu_tool
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_INTERACTIVE", "1")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(approval, "_YOLO_MODE_FROZEN", False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(approval, "save_permanent_allowlist", lambda patterns: None)
+    prompts = []
+    cu_tool.set_approval_callback(lambda command, description, **kw: prompts.append(command) or "always")
+    token = set_current_session_key("cua-grant-session")
+    try:
+        assert not approval.is_approved("cua-grant-session", "cua:click:background")
+        assert cu_tool._request_approval("click", {"element": 3}) is None
+        assert approval.is_approved("cua-grant-session", "cua:click:background")
+        assert cu_tool._request_approval("click", {"element": 3}) is None
+        assert len(prompts) == 1
+    finally:
+        cu_tool.set_approval_callback(None)
+        reset_current_session_key(token)
+        approval.clear_session("cua-grant-session")
+        with approval._lock:
+            approval._permanent_set().discard("cua:click:background")
+
+
+def test_a_forgets_a_poisoned_approval_callback():
+    """Simulates the polluter: installs a raising callback and deliberately does not reset it."""
+    from tools.computer_use import tool as cu_tool
+
+    def poisoned(command, description, **kw):
+        raise RuntimeError("dead UI")
+
+    cu_tool.set_approval_callback(poisoned)
+    # no reset — the autouse fixture must clean this up
+
+
+def test_b_still_dispatches_after_the_polluter(monkeypatch):
+    """Answers through the per-thread terminal callback only. The explicit computer_use callback takes precedence
+    in the shared gate, so if the polluter's raising one had leaked, this click would be denied."""
+    from tools.computer_use import tool as cu_tool
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_INTERACTIVE", "1")
+    monkeypatch.setattr("tools.terminal_tool._get_approval_callback", lambda: lambda command, description, **kw: "once")
+    backend = _install_backend(cu_tool)
+    result = cu_tool.handle_computer_use({"action": "click", "element": 3})
+    assert [name for name, _ in backend.calls] == ["click"], f"leaked approval callback poisoned this test: {result!r}"
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_10_permissions.py b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_10_permissions.py
index 7b968d1474..5d35b9f7eb 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_10_permissions.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_10_permissions.py
@@ -143,15 +143,11 @@ def test_release_seam_stops_backend_and_clears_session_state():
     computer_use._backends["session-a"] = backend
     computer_use._backend_call_locks["session-a"] = computer_use.threading.RLock()
     computer_use._backend_permission_modes["session-a"] = "unrestricted"
-    computer_use._session_auto_approve["session-a"] = True
-    computer_use._always_allow["session-a"] = {("click", "background")}
 
     assert computer_use.release_computer_use_session("session-a") is True
     assert computer_use.release_computer_use_session("session-a") is False
     backend.stop.assert_called_once_with()
     assert "session-a" not in computer_use._backend_permission_modes
-    assert "session-a" not in computer_use._session_auto_approve
-    assert "session-a" not in computer_use._always_allow
 
 
 def test_yolo_toggle_immediately_releases_mode_dependent_backend():
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_9.py b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_9.py
index 76fb3cdfbc..f64f60d270 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_9.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_cua_0_9.py
@@ -259,10 +259,6 @@ def test_release_seam_stops_exact_backend_and_clears_session_state():
         "conversation-a": computer_use.threading.RLock(),
         "conversation-b": computer_use.threading.RLock(),
     })
-    computer_use._session_auto_approve["conversation-a"] = True
-    computer_use._always_allow["conversation-a"] = {
-        ("click", "background"),
-    }
 
     assert computer_use.release_computer_use_session("conversation-a") is True
     assert computer_use.release_computer_use_session("conversation-a") is False
@@ -271,8 +267,6 @@ def test_release_seam_stops_exact_backend_and_clears_session_state():
     second.stop.assert_not_called()
     assert "conversation-a" not in computer_use._backends
     assert "conversation-a" not in computer_use._backend_call_locks
-    assert "conversation-a" not in computer_use._session_auto_approve
-    assert "conversation-a" not in computer_use._always_allow
     assert computer_use._backends["conversation-b"] is second
 
 
@@ -283,12 +277,10 @@ def test_release_seam_evicts_state_even_when_backend_stop_fails():
     backend.stop.side_effect = RuntimeError("driver teardown failed")
     computer_use._backends["failed-run"] = backend
     computer_use._backend_call_locks["failed-run"] = computer_use.threading.RLock()
-    computer_use._session_auto_approve["failed-run"] = True
 
     assert computer_use.release_computer_use_session("failed-run") is True
     assert "failed-run" not in computer_use._backends
     assert "failed-run" not in computer_use._backend_call_locks
-    assert "failed-run" not in computer_use._session_auto_approve
 
 
 def test_release_seam_waits_for_in_flight_action_before_stopping_backend():
@@ -359,15 +351,18 @@ def test_concurrent_hermes_sessions_do_not_share_backend_state():
     assert len(created) == 2
 
 
-def test_persistent_focus_has_a_separate_approval_scope():
+def test_persistent_focus_has_a_separate_approval_scope(monkeypatch):
     from tools.computer_use import tool as computer_use
 
     seen = []
 
-    def approve(action, args, summary):
+    def approve(command, description, **kw):
+        # The shared gate prompts once per scope key: the click itself, then the separate bring_to_front scope.
+        action = description.split("`")[1]
         seen.append(action)
-        return "approve_once" if action == "click" else "deny"
+        return "once" if action == "click" else "deny"
 
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_INTERACTIVE", "1")
     computer_use.set_approval_callback(approve)
     try:
         result = json.loads(
@@ -385,6 +380,6 @@ def test_persistent_focus_has_a_separate_approval_scope():
         computer_use.set_approval_callback(None)
 
     assert seen == ["click", "bring_to_front"]
-    assert result["error"] == "denied by user"
+    assert result["error"].startswith("BLOCKED: User denied")
     assert result["action"] == "bring_to_front"
 
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_delivery_ladder.py b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_delivery_ladder.py
index 1d20acdff2..cc1c415a87 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_computer_use_delivery_ladder.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_computer_use_delivery_ladder.py
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ Covers NousResearch/hermes-agent#67052:
     with foreground_unsupported on an old driver rather than silently
     downgrading to background.
   - Phase C: foreground approval is scoped by (action, delivery_mode) and by
-    session_id, so a background approval never silently authorizes foreground
-    and one run's unlock never leaks into another.
+    the shared gate's session key, so a background approval never silently
+    authorizes foreground and one run's unlock never leaks into another.
 
 Stdlib + pytest + unittest.mock only. No live cua-driver, no network.
 """
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ def test_bad_delivery_mode_rejected():
     assert res.code == "bad_delivery_mode"
 
 
-def test_dispatcher_threads_delivery_mode_to_backend():
+def test_dispatcher_threads_delivery_mode_to_backend(grant_computer_use_approvals):
     """End-to-end through the tool dispatcher with the noop backend."""
     from tools.computer_use import tool as cu
     with patch.dict(os.environ, {"HERMES_COMPUTER_USE_BACKEND": "noop"}, clear=False):
@@ -237,70 +237,100 @@ def test_dispatcher_threads_delivery_mode_to_backend():
 # Phase C — foreground approval scoping (action + delivery_mode + session)
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-def test_background_approval_does_not_authorize_foreground():
+@pytest.fixture
+def _interactive_session(monkeypatch):
+    """Interactive CLI presence for the shared gate plus a fresh approval session key; grants made here are
+    wiped from ``tools.approval``'s store afterwards so nothing leaks between tests."""
+    from tools import approval
+    from tools.approval_context import reset_current_session_key, set_current_session_key
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_INTERACTIVE", "1")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(approval, "save_permanent_allowlist", lambda patterns: None)
+    keys: list[str] = []
+
+    def use(session_key: str):
+        keys.append(session_key)
+        return set_current_session_key(session_key)
+
+    yield use
+    for key in keys:
+        approval.clear_session(key)
+    reset_current_session_key(set_current_session_key(""))
+
+
+def test_background_approval_does_not_authorize_foreground(_interactive_session):
     from tools.computer_use import tool as cu
 
     seen = []
 
-    def cb(action, args, summary):
-        seen.append((action, args.get("delivery_mode")))
-        return "approve_session"
+    def cb(command, description, **kw):
+        seen.append((command, description))
+        return "session"
 
     cu.set_approval_callback(cb)
+    _interactive_session("sess-A")
     try:
         # Background click, approve for session.
-        assert cu._request_approval("click", {}, "sess-A") is None
-        # A second background click needs no prompt (cached).
-        assert cu._request_approval("click", {}, "sess-A") is None
+        assert cu._request_approval("click", {}) is None
+        # A second background click needs no prompt (cached in the shared session store).
+        assert cu._request_approval("click", {}) is None
         assert len(seen) == 1
-        # Foreground click on the SAME action must prompt again — the
-        # background approval does not cover it.
-        assert cu._request_approval("click", {"delivery_mode": "foreground"}, "sess-A") is None
+        # Foreground click on the SAME action must prompt again — the background grant does not cover it.
+        assert cu._request_approval("click", {"delivery_mode": "foreground"}) is None
         assert len(seen) == 2
-        assert seen[-1] == ("click", "foreground")
+        assert "FOREGROUND" in seen[-1][0]
     finally:
         cu.set_approval_callback(None)
 
 
-def test_approval_state_is_session_scoped():
+def test_approval_state_is_session_scoped(_interactive_session):
     from tools.computer_use import tool as cu
 
     calls = []
 
-    def cb(action, args, summary):
-        calls.append((action, args.get("delivery_mode")))
-        return "approve_session"
+    def cb(command, description, **kw):
+        calls.append(command)
+        return "session"
 
     cu.set_approval_callback(cb)
     try:
         # Run A approves foreground click.
-        cu._request_approval("click", {"delivery_mode": "foreground"}, "run-A")
+        _interactive_session("run-A")
+        cu._request_approval("click", {"delivery_mode": "foreground"})
         # Run B has NOT — it must prompt independently.
         n_before = len(calls)
-        cu._request_approval("click", {"delivery_mode": "foreground"}, "run-B")
+        _interactive_session("run-B")
+        cu._request_approval("click", {"delivery_mode": "foreground"})
         assert len(calls) == n_before + 1
     finally:
         cu.set_approval_callback(None)
 
 
-def test_always_approve_covers_foreground():
+def test_always_grant_is_per_scope_key_and_visible_to_shared_store(_interactive_session):
+    """One grant store: an "always" answered through computer_use lands in ``tools.approval`` under the same
+    ``cua:<action>:<mode>`` key, and — unlike the old blanket unlock — covers only that scope, so the visible
+    foreground variant still prompts."""
+    from tools import approval
     from tools.computer_use import tool as cu
 
     calls = []
 
-    def cb(action, args, summary):
-        calls.append(action)
-        return "always_approve"
+    def cb(command, description, **kw):
+        calls.append(command)
+        return "always"
 
     cu.set_approval_callback(cb)
+    _interactive_session("run-C")
     try:
-        # First call unlocks everything for this session.
-        cu._request_approval("click", {}, "run-C")
-        # Foreground now sails through without another prompt.
-        cu._request_approval("click", {"delivery_mode": "foreground"}, "run-C")
-        assert len(calls) == 1
+        assert cu._request_approval("click", {}) is None
+        assert approval.is_approved("run-C", "cua:click:background")
+        assert not approval.is_approved("run-C", "cua:click:foreground")
+        assert cu._request_approval("click", {"delivery_mode": "foreground"}) is None
+        assert len(calls) == 2
     finally:
         cu.set_approval_callback(None)
+        with approval._lock:
+            approval._permanent_set().difference_update({"cua:click:background", "cua:click:foreground"})
 
 
 def test_foreground_summary_warns_about_focus_change():
diff --git a/tools/computer_use/tool.py b/tools/computer_use/tool.py
index afb000913f..d55de0f15b 100644
--- a/tools/computer_use/tool.py
+++ b/tools/computer_use/tool.py
@@ -25,11 +25,13 @@ from tools.computer_use.backend import ActionResult, CaptureResult, ComputerUseB
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 # ── Approval & safety ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Optional computer_use-specific prompt handed to the shared gate as its explicit ``approval_callback``; when None the
+# gate resolves the per-thread CLI callback (``tools.terminal_tool.set_approval_callback``) like every other tool, so
+# in-tree hosts never call this. Same contract as that callback: ``cb(command, description, **kw)`` ->
+# "once" | "session" | "always" | "deny" | "timeout".
 _approval_callback = None
 
 def set_approval_callback(cb) -> None:
-    """Register the CLI approval prompt (terminal_tool pattern); ``cb(action, args, summary)`` ->
-    "approve_once" | "approve_session" | "always_approve" | "deny"."""
     global _approval_callback
     _approval_callback = cb
 
@@ -82,14 +84,10 @@ _backend_permission_modes: Dict[str, str] = {}
 # (home key, provider, model) → bool. The decision reads the active profile's config (auxiliary.vision
 # override, declared supports_vision), so a multiplexed process must not serve profile A's verdict to B.
 _AUX_VISION_ROUTE_CACHE: Dict[Tuple[str, str, str], bool] = {}
-# Approval state keyed by session_id so a gateway serving concurrent sessions can't leak one run's
-# "always approve" into another; callers without a session_id share "".
-# Falls back to a shared "" bucket for callers that don't pass a session_id (e.g. the classic single-run
-# CLI). Values: _session_auto_approve[sid] -> bool   ("always_approve everything") _always_allow[sid]
-# -> set of (action, delivery_mode) scope keys See NousResearch/hermes-agent#67052 gap 4.
+# Approval grants live in the shared store (``tools.approval``: session set + permanent allowlist), keyed by the
+# gate's session key, so a computer_use "always" is one allowlist entry like any terminal pattern. Only the
+# once-per-session escalation warning is tracked here.
 _approval_lock = threading.Lock()
-_session_auto_approve: Dict[str, bool] = {}   # sid -> "always_approve everything"
-_always_allow: Dict[str, set] = {}            # sid -> set of (action, delivery_mode) scope keys
 _escalation_warned: set = set()               # sids already warned that a bypass widened the driver mode
 
 def _cua_permission_mode(session_id: str) -> str:
@@ -178,13 +176,11 @@ def _get_backend(session_id: str = "") -> ComputerUseBackend:
 
 def release_computer_use_session(session_id: str) -> bool:
     """Release one session-owned backend (lifecycle seam for hosts/plugins); idempotent, True iff one was released.
-    Cache entries are removed BEFORE stopping so new lookups cannot retain the stale target/ref namespace; approval
-    state is cleared even without a backend."""
+    Cache entries are removed BEFORE stopping so new lookups cannot retain the stale target/ref namespace. Approval
+    grants are not touched here: they live in the shared store and die with ``tools.approval.clear_session``."""
     sid = str(session_id or "")
     with _backend_lock:
         backend, call_lock = _detach_locked(sid)
-    with _approval_lock:
-        _session_auto_approve.pop(sid, None), _always_allow.pop(sid, None)
     if backend is None:
         return False
     _stop_backend(backend, call_lock,
@@ -209,7 +205,7 @@ def _shutdown_backend_atexit() -> None:
         _backend = None
         _backends.clear(), _backend_call_locks.clear(), _backend_permission_modes.clear()
     with _approval_lock:
-        _session_auto_approve.clear(), _always_allow.clear(), _escalation_warned.clear()
+        _escalation_warned.clear()
     for backend, call_lock in unique.values():
         _stop_backend(backend, call_lock, lambda e: logger.debug("cua-driver atexit teardown failed: %s", e))
 
@@ -253,7 +249,7 @@ def handle_computer_use(args: Dict[str, Any], **kwargs) -> Any:
     scopes = ([action] if action in _ACTIONS and _ACTIONS[action].destructive else []) + (
         ["bring_to_front"] if args.get("bring_to_front") or (action == "focus_app" and args.get("raise_window")) else [])
     for scope in scopes:
-        if (err := _request_approval(scope, args, session_id)) is not None:
+        if (err := _request_approval(scope, args)) is not None:
             return err
     try:
         backend = _get_backend(session_id=session_id)
@@ -270,36 +266,29 @@ def handle_computer_use(args: Dict[str, Any], **kwargs) -> Any:
         logger.exception("computer_use %s failed", action)
         return json.dumps({"error": f"{action} failed: {e}"})
 
-def _request_approval(action: str, args: Dict[str, Any], session_id: str = "") -> Optional[str]:
-    """None if approved, else a JSON error string. Scoped by (action, delivery_mode) AND session_id: foreground
-    delivery is a visible focus change, so a background ``approve_session`` must NOT cover it; the blanket
-    ``always_approve`` does. No CLI approval wired -> default allow (gateway approval runs one layer out).
-
-    ``always_approve`` (the blanket "auto-approve everything" unlock) still covers foreground, since the
-    user explicitly opted into unattended operation. State is keyed on session_id so concurrent runs don't
-    leak unlocks into one another. See #67052.
+def _request_approval(action: str, args: Dict[str, Any]) -> Optional[str]:
+    """None if approved, else a JSON error string. The decision (yolo bypass, session/permanent grants, CLI prompt,
+    gateway pending, cron/unattended policy, fail-closed with nobody to ask) is ``tools.approval``'s shared gate,
+    so a computer_use grant is one store entry like any terminal pattern. Scope key ``cua:<action>:<mode>``:
+    foreground delivery is a visible focus change, so a background ``session`` grant must NOT cover it (#67052).
     """
-    scope_key = (action, "foreground" if args.get("delivery_mode") == "foreground" else "background")
-    with _approval_lock:
-        if _session_auto_approve.get(session_id) or scope_key in _always_allow.get(session_id, set()):
-            return None
-    if (cb := _approval_callback) is None:
+    from tools.approval import _run_approval_gate
+
+    mode = "foreground" if args.get("delivery_mode") == "foreground" else "background"
+    description = f"Allow computer_use to perform `{action}`?"
+    result = _run_approval_gate(
+        pattern_key=f"cua:{action}:{mode}", description=description,
+        display_target=f"computer_use: {_summarize_action(action, args)}", approval_callback=_approval_callback,
+        subject=f"computer_use `{action}` requires approval", noun="desktop actions",
+        advice="Find an alternative approach that avoids driving the desktop.",
+        autoapprove_log_prefix="computer_use action in non-interactive non-gateway context",
+        fail_closed_when_no_human=True,
+        no_human_block_message=(f"BLOCKED: computer_use `{action}` requires approval but no interactive user or "
+                                "gateway is present to approve it."),
+    )
+    if result.get("approved"):
         return None
-    try:
-        verdict = cb(action, args, _summarize_action(action, args))
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.warning("approval callback failed: %s", e)
-        verdict = "deny"
-    if verdict in ("approve_session", "always_approve"):
-        with _approval_lock:
-            _always_allow.setdefault(session_id, set()).add(scope_key)
-            if verdict == "always_approve":
-                _session_auto_approve[session_id] = True
-    if verdict in ("approve_once", "approve_session", "always_approve"):
-        return None
-    return json.dumps({"error": ("approval prompt timed out — the user did not respond. Silence is not consent; "
-                                 "do not retry without the user.") if verdict == "timeout" else "denied by user",
-                       "action": action})
+    return json.dumps({"error": result.get("message") or "denied by user", "action": action})
 
 def _summarize_action(action: str, args: Dict[str, Any]) -> str:
     fg = " [FOREGROUND — briefly raises the window / changes focus]" if args.get("delivery_mode") == "foreground" else ""
diff --git a/website/docs/user-guide/features/computer-use.md b/website/docs/user-guide/features/computer-use.md
index 1148e2949a..514f5b3aee 100644
--- a/website/docs/user-guide/features/computer-use.md
+++ b/website/docs/user-guide/features/computer-use.md
@@ -340,8 +340,15 @@ magic-byte sniffing.
 Hermes applies multi-layer guardrails:
 
 - Destructive actions (click, type, drag, scroll, key, focus_app)
-  require approval — either interactively via the CLI dialog or via the
-  messaging-platform approval buttons.
+  require approval through the same gate as dangerous shell commands —
+  interactively via the CLI dialog or the messaging-platform approval
+  buttons. Once/session/always grants are keyed
+  `cua:<action>:<background|foreground>` and live in the shared
+  session/`command_allowlist` store (a background grant never covers the
+  visible foreground variant). Where nobody can answer — cron
+  (`approvals.cron_mode`), single-query, unattended platforms, or any
+  headless run — the action is refused rather than auto-approved;
+  `--yolo` / `/yolo` still bypass.
 - Hard-blocked key combos at the tool level: empty trash, force delete,
   lock screen, log out, force log out.
 - Hard-blocked type patterns: `curl | bash`, `sudo rm -rf /`, fork