diff --git a/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd.py b/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd.py
index c3f8c83150..13a787efe4 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd.py
@@ -1087,8 +1087,9 @@ def _set_plugin_entry_flag(plugin_id: str, key: str, value: bool) -> None:
 def cmd_enable(name: str, allow_tool_override: Optional[bool] = None) -> None:
     """Add a plugin to the enabled allow-list (and remove it from disabled).
 
-    Non-bundled plugins are asked about the privileged ``allow_tool_override`` grant;
-    tri-state: ``True``/``False`` skip the prompt, ``None`` asks. Bundled plugins are trusted.
+    Non-bundled plugins request consent for declared capabilities. The legacy
+    ``allow_tool_override`` grant changes only with an explicit True/False flag;
+    None leaves it unchanged. Bundled plugins are trusted.
     """
     from hermes_cli.relay_plugin_cutover import LEGACY_RELAY_PLUGIN_KEYS, RELAY_PLUGINS_CONFIG_ENV
     console = _console()
@@ -1132,10 +1133,10 @@ def cmd_enable(name: str, allow_tool_override: Optional[bool] = None) -> None:
     declared_caps = _declared_capabilities_for_key(key)
     if declared_caps:
         _run_capability_consent(console, key, declared_caps, context="enable")
-        if allow_tool_override is not None:
-            _resolve_tool_override_grant(console, key, allow_tool_override)
-        return
-    _resolve_tool_override_grant(console, key, allow_tool_override)
+    # Enabling a plugin is not a request for undeclared privileges. Keep existing
+    # grants unchanged unless the operator explicitly grants or revokes one.
+    if allow_tool_override is not None:
+        _resolve_tool_override_grant(console, key, allow_tool_override)
 
 
 # ── Capability consent flow ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_enable_no_capabilities.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_enable_no_capabilities.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f536aae3c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_enable_no_capabilities.py
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+"""Enable asks for declared privileges, not an unsolicited override grant."""
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+import pytest
+import yaml
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "caps,flag,existing,answer,expected,prompts",
+    [
+        (None, None, None, "n", None, 0),
+        ([], None, None, "n", None, 0),
+        (None, True, None, "n", True, 0),
+        (None, False, True, "n", False, 0),
+        (None, None, True, "n", True, 0),
+        (["tools.override"], None, None, "y", True, 1),
+    ],
+)
+def test_enable_consent(tmp_path, monkeypatch, caps, flag, existing, answer, expected, prompts):
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_HOME", str(tmp_path))
+    plugin = tmp_path / "plugins" / "hook-only-probe"
+    plugin.mkdir(parents=True)
+    manifest = {"name": "hook-only-probe", "version": "0.1.0", "hooks": ["transform_llm_output"]}
+    if caps is not None:
+        manifest["capabilities"] = caps
+    (plugin / "plugin.yaml").write_text(yaml.safe_dump(manifest), encoding="utf-8")
+    (plugin / "__init__.py").write_text("def register(ctx):\n    pass\n", encoding="utf-8")
+    initial = {} if existing is None else {
+        "plugins": {"entries": {"hook-only-probe": {"allow_tool_override": existing}}}
+    }
+    (tmp_path / "config.yaml").write_text(yaml.safe_dump(initial), encoding="utf-8")
+    from hermes_cli import plugins_cmd
+
+    console = MagicMock()
+    console.input.return_value = answer
+    monkeypatch.setattr(plugins_cmd, "_console", lambda: console)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("sys.stdin.isatty", lambda: True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("sys.stdout.isatty", lambda: True)
+    plugins_cmd.cmd_enable("hook-only-probe", allow_tool_override=flag)
+    assert console.input.call_count == prompts
+    config = yaml.safe_load((tmp_path / "config.yaml").read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+    assert "hook-only-probe" in config["plugins"]["enabled"]
+    entry = config["plugins"].get("entries", {}).get("hook-only-probe", {})
+    assert entry.get("allow_tool_override") is expected