diff --git a/whatsapp-mcp-server/helpers/mcp_tool.go b/whatsapp-mcp-server/helpers/mcp_tool.go
index 73660ca..219608a 100644
--- a/whatsapp-mcp-server/helpers/mcp_tool.go
+++ b/whatsapp-mcp-server/helpers/mcp_tool.go
@@ -62,20 +62,27 @@ func InitMcpTool() {
 		Description: "Get most recent WhatsApp message involving the contact.",
 	}, getLastInteractionHandler)
 
-	mcp.AddTool[sendMessageInput, map[string]any](server, &mcp.Tool{
-		Name:        "send_message",
-		Description: "Send a text message to a person or group on WhatsApp. For groups use the group JID.",
-	}, sendMessageHandler)
+	// Send tools are registered unless the connector runs in read-only mode.
+	// WHATSAPP_READ_ONLY=true (or 1) hides all outbound tools — defense-in-depth on top of the
+	// soul's per-send consent gate. Default: send tools available (consent still required upstream).
+	readOnly := strings.ToLower(ReadEnv("WHATSAPP_READ_ONLY", "false")) == "true" ||
+		ReadEnv("WHATSAPP_READ_ONLY", "0") == "1"
+	if !readOnly {
+		mcp.AddTool[sendMessageInput, map[string]any](server, &mcp.Tool{
+			Name:        "send_message",
+			Description: "Send a text message to a person or group on WhatsApp. For groups use the group JID.",
+		}, sendMessageHandler)
 
-	mcp.AddTool[sendFileInput, map[string]any](server, &mcp.Tool{
-		Name:        "send_file",
-		Description: "Send image, video, document or any file via WhatsApp.",
-	}, sendFileHandler)
+		mcp.AddTool[sendFileInput, map[string]any](server, &mcp.Tool{
+			Name:        "send_file",
+			Description: "Send image, video, document or any file via WhatsApp.",
+		}, sendFileHandler)
 
-	mcp.AddTool[sendAudioMessageInput, map[string]any](server, &mcp.Tool{
-		Name:        "send_audio_message",
-		Description: "Send audio/voice message (converted to Opus .ogg if needed).",
-	}, sendAudioMessageHandler)
+		mcp.AddTool[sendAudioMessageInput, map[string]any](server, &mcp.Tool{
+			Name:        "send_audio_message",
+			Description: "Send audio/voice message (converted to Opus .ogg if needed).",
+		}, sendAudioMessageHandler)
+	}
 
 	mcp.AddTool[downloadMediaInput, map[string]any](server, &mcp.Tool{
 		Name:        "download_media",