diff --git a/model_tools.py b/model_tools.py
index ad938b5f18b..f461afff5ba 100644
--- a/model_tools.py
+++ b/model_tools.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ Public API (signatures preserved from the original 2,400-line version):
     check_tool_availability(quiet) -> tuple
 """
 
+import os
 import json
 import re
 import asyncio
@@ -299,6 +300,7 @@ def get_tool_definitions(
             frozenset(disabled_toolsets) if disabled_toolsets else None,
             registry._generation,
             cfg_fp,
+            bool(os.environ.get("HERMES_KANBAN_TASK")),
         )
         cached = _tool_defs_cache.get(cache_key)
         if cached is not None:
@@ -334,7 +336,15 @@ def _compute_tool_definitions(
     tools_to_include: set = set()
 
     if enabled_toolsets is not None:
-        for toolset_name in enabled_toolsets:
+        effective_enabled_toolsets = list(enabled_toolsets)
+        if os.environ.get("HERMES_KANBAN_TASK") and "kanban" not in effective_enabled_toolsets:
+            # Dispatcher-spawned workers are scoped by HERMES_KANBAN_TASK and
+            # must always receive the lifecycle handoff tools. Assignee
+            # profiles may intentionally restrict their normal chat toolsets
+            # (for token/cost reasons), but that should not strip the kanban
+            # worker's completion/block/heartbeat surface.
+            effective_enabled_toolsets.append("kanban")
+        for toolset_name in effective_enabled_toolsets:
             if validate_toolset(toolset_name):
                 resolved = resolve_toolset(toolset_name)
                 tools_to_include.update(resolved)
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_kanban_tools.py b/tests/tools/test_kanban_tools.py
index b50f35b0682..077e9af488f 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_kanban_tools.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_kanban_tools.py
@@ -61,6 +61,32 @@ def test_kanban_tools_visible_with_env_var(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     assert kanban == expected, f"expected {expected}, got {kanban}"
 
 
+def test_kanban_worker_env_overrides_profile_toolset_filter(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    """Dispatcher-spawned workers must get lifecycle tools even when the
+    assignee profile restricts enabled toolsets and does not list kanban.
+    """
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_KANBAN_TASK", "t_fake")
+    home = tmp_path / ".hermes"
+    home.mkdir()
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_HOME", str(home))
+
+    import tools.kanban_tools  # ensure registered
+    from model_tools import _clear_tool_defs_cache, get_tool_definitions
+    from tools.registry import invalidate_check_fn_cache
+
+    invalidate_check_fn_cache()
+    _clear_tool_defs_cache()
+    schema = get_tool_definitions(
+        enabled_toolsets=["terminal"],
+        quiet_mode=True,
+    )
+    names = {s["function"].get("name") for s in schema if "function" in s}
+    assert "kanban_show" in names
+    assert "kanban_complete" in names
+    assert "kanban_block" in names
+    assert "kanban_list" not in names
+
+
 def test_worker_with_kanban_toolset_still_hides_board_routing(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     """Task scope wins over profile config for board-routing tools.