diff --git a/docs/chatgpt-coding-workflow.md b/docs/chatgpt-coding-workflow.md
index 4e001e46..59803fe9 100644
--- a/docs/chatgpt-coding-workflow.md
+++ b/docs/chatgpt-coding-workflow.md
@@ -171,15 +171,20 @@ DevSpace uses the Codex-style surface by default. It exposes:
 - `open_workspace`
 - `read`
 - `apply_patch`
-- `exec_command`
+- `exec_cmd`
 - `write_stdin`
 - `show_changes`
 
-In this mode, `write`, `edit`, and `bash` are not registered. `exec_command`
+In this mode, `write`, `edit`, and `bash` are not registered. `exec_cmd`
 returns a process session ID when a command is still
 running after its yield window. Use `write_stdin` to poll it, send input, resize
 a PTY, or send Ctrl-C. Set `tty: true` only for commands that need a terminal.
 
+Set `tools.fileRead` to `shell` to omit the dedicated `read` tool. File,
+instruction, and skill inspection then goes through the configured shell tool:
+`exec_cmd` in Codex mode or `bash` in Claude mode. The default is `tool`, which
+keeps `read` exposed.
+
 Set `tools.mode` to `claude` in `~/.devspace/config.jsonc` to expose `write`,
 `edit`, and `bash` instead of the Codex mutation and command tools. Dedicated
 MCP tools for `grep`, `glob`, and `ls` are not registered in either mode; use
diff --git a/docs/configuration.md b/docs/configuration.md
index 98f0d124..8aaae313 100644
--- a/docs/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/configuration.md
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ Run `devspace init` to create both files. `devspace config set publicBaseUrl
   },
   "tools": {
     "mode": "codex",
+    "fileRead": "tool",
   },
   "ui": {
     "enabled": true,
@@ -95,9 +96,15 @@ After restarting, refresh tokens for removed aliases can no longer mint tokens.
 
 | Value | Tool surface |
 | --- | --- |
-| `codex` | Default. `open_workspace`, `read`, `apply_patch`, `exec_command`, `write_stdin`, and `show_changes`. |
+| `codex` | Default. `open_workspace`, `read`, `apply_patch`, `exec_cmd`, `write_stdin`, and `show_changes`. |
 | `claude` | `open_workspace`, `read`, `write`, `edit`, `bash`, and `show_changes`. |
 
+`tools.fileRead` controls how file contents are inspected. The default `tool`
+value exposes the dedicated `read` tool. Set it to `shell` to omit `read` and
+use the active shell tool instead: `exec_cmd` in Codex mode or `bash` in Claude
+mode. This also directs workspace instruction and skill reads through that
+shell tool.
+
 The dedicated MCP tools `grep`, `glob`, and `ls` are not exposed. Each mode uses
 its shell tool with programs such as `rg`, `find`, and `ls` when it needs those
 operations.
diff --git a/schema/v1/devspace.schema.json b/schema/v1/devspace.schema.json
index cf9ce8f8..b478f4ee 100644
--- a/schema/v1/devspace.schema.json
+++ b/schema/v1/devspace.schema.json
@@ -99,6 +99,14 @@
             "claude",
             "codex"
           ]
+        },
+        "fileRead": {
+          "default": "tool",
+          "type": "string",
+          "enum": [
+            "tool",
+            "shell"
+          ]
         }
       },
       "additionalProperties": false
diff --git a/src/config-schema.ts b/src/config-schema.ts
index 95141fbd..16cb74f1 100644
--- a/src/config-schema.ts
+++ b/src/config-schema.ts
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ const storageConfigSchema = z.object({
 
 const toolsConfigSchema = z.object({
   mode: z.enum(["claude", "codex"]).default("codex"),
+  fileRead: z.enum(["tool", "shell"]).default("tool"),
 }).strict().prefault({});
 
 const uiConfigSchema = z.object({
@@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ export const devspaceConfigSchema = z.object({
 export type DevspaceConfig = z.output<typeof devspaceConfigSchema>;
 export type DevspaceConfigInput = z.input<typeof devspaceConfigSchema>;
 export type ToolMode = DevspaceConfig["tools"]["mode"];
+export type FileReadMode = DevspaceConfig["tools"]["fileRead"];
 
 export function defaultDevspaceConfig(): DevspaceConfig {
   return devspaceConfigSchema.parse({ configVersion: DEVSPACE_CONFIG_VERSION });
diff --git a/src/config.test.ts b/src/config.test.ts
index ddb2fc1c..4972913b 100644
--- a/src/config.test.ts
+++ b/src/config.test.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ try {
   assert.deepEqual(defaults.allowedRoots, [process.cwd()]);
   assert.deepEqual(defaults.allowedHosts, ["localhost", "127.0.0.1", "::1"]);
   assert.equal(defaults.toolMode, "codex");
+  assert.equal(defaults.fileReadMode, "tool");
   assert.equal(defaults.uiEnabled, true);
   assert.equal(defaults.skillsEnabled, true);
   assert.equal(defaults.artifactsEnabled, false);
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ try {
       worktreeRoot: "~/trees",
     },
     storage: { stateDir: "~/state" },
-    tools: { mode: "claude" },
+    tools: { mode: "claude", fileRead: "shell" },
     ui: { enabled: false },
     artifacts: { enabled: true, maxFileBytes: 321 },
     skills: { enabled: false, paths: ["~/skills"], agentDir: "~/agent" },
@@ -94,6 +95,7 @@ try {
     "example.internal",
   ]);
   assert.equal(configured.toolMode, "claude");
+  assert.equal(configured.fileReadMode, "shell");
   assert.equal(configured.uiEnabled, false);
   assert.equal(configured.stateDir, resolve(homedir(), "state"));
   assert.equal(configured.worktreeRoot, resolve(homedir(), "trees"));
diff --git a/src/config.ts b/src/config.ts
index 34fcdfc2..ae26f19a 100644
--- a/src/config.ts
+++ b/src/config.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 import { resolve } from "node:path";
-import type { ToolMode } from "./config-schema.js";
+import type { FileReadMode, ToolMode } from "./config-schema.js";
 import { expandHomePath } from "./roots.js";
 import type { LoggingConfig } from "./logger.js";
 import type { OAuthConfig } from "./oauth-provider.js";
 import { devspaceAgentsDir, devspaceSkillsDir, loadDevspaceFiles } from "./user-config.js";
 import type { SubagentsConfig } from "./local-agent-config.js";
 
-export type { ToolMode } from "./config-schema.js";
+export type { FileReadMode, ToolMode } from "./config-schema.js";
 
 export interface ServerConfig {
   configDir: string;
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export interface ServerConfig {
   allowedHosts: string[];
   publicBaseUrl: string;
   toolMode: ToolMode;
+  fileReadMode: FileReadMode;
   uiEnabled: boolean;
   stateDir: string;
   worktreeRoot: string;
@@ -66,6 +67,7 @@ export function loadConfig(env: NodeJS.ProcessEnv = process.env): ServerConfig {
     allowedHosts: normalizeAllowedHosts(derivedAllowedHosts),
     publicBaseUrl,
     toolMode: stored.tools.mode,
+    fileReadMode: stored.tools.fileRead,
     uiEnabled: stored.ui.enabled,
     stateDir: normalizePath(stored.storage.stateDir),
     worktreeRoot: normalizePath(stored.workspaces.worktreeRoot),
diff --git a/src/server.test.ts b/src/server.test.ts
index 7f9fe15c..69b44fff 100644
--- a/src/server.test.ts
+++ b/src/server.test.ts
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ const execFileAsync = promisify(execFile);
 test("tool modes expose the expected host-facing tool surface", async (t) => {
   const cases: Array<{
     mode: ToolMode;
+    fileReadMode?: ServerConfig["fileReadMode"];
     expected: string[];
   }> = [
     {
@@ -32,13 +33,27 @@ test("tool modes expose the expected host-facing tool surface", async (t) => {
     },
     {
       mode: "codex",
-      expected: ["open_workspace", "read", "apply_patch", "exec_command", "write_stdin", "show_changes"],
+      expected: ["open_workspace", "read", "apply_patch", "exec_cmd", "write_stdin", "show_changes"],
+    },
+    {
+      mode: "claude",
+      fileReadMode: "shell",
+      expected: ["open_workspace", "write", "edit", "bash", "show_changes"],
+    },
+    {
+      mode: "codex",
+      fileReadMode: "shell",
+      expected: ["open_workspace", "apply_patch", "exec_cmd", "write_stdin", "show_changes"],
     },
   ];
 
-  for (const { mode, expected } of cases) {
-    await t.test(mode, async (nested) => {
-      const context = await fixture(nested, { toolMode: mode, uiEnabled: false });
+  for (const { mode, fileReadMode, expected } of cases) {
+    await t.test(`${mode}/${fileReadMode ?? "tool"}`, async (nested) => {
+      const context = await fixture(nested, {
+        toolMode: mode,
+        fileReadMode,
+        uiEnabled: false,
+      });
       const tools = await context.client.listTools();
 
       assert.deepEqual(
@@ -72,7 +87,7 @@ test("Codex process tools bound model-facing yield windows to 12 seconds", async
   const context = await fixture(t, { toolMode: "codex", uiEnabled: false });
   const tools = await context.client.listTools();
 
-  for (const toolName of ["exec_command", "write_stdin"] as const) {
+  for (const toolName of ["exec_cmd", "write_stdin"] as const) {
     const tool = tools.tools.find(({ name }) => name === toolName);
     const yieldSchema = tool?.inputSchema?.properties?.yield_time_ms as {
       maximum?: number;
@@ -537,7 +552,7 @@ test("server shutdown waits for an active MCP tool call", async (t) => {
     accessToken,
     "tools/call",
     {
-      name: "exec_command",
+      name: "exec_cmd",
       arguments: {
         workspace_id: workspaceId,
         cmd: `node -e \"${command}\"`,
@@ -644,6 +659,7 @@ async function fixture(
     localAgentProviders?: LocalAgentProviderAvailability[] | (() => LocalAgentProviderAvailability[]);
     subagents?: SubagentsConfig;
     toolMode?: ToolMode;
+    fileReadMode?: ServerConfig["fileReadMode"];
     uiEnabled?: boolean;
   } = {},
 ): Promise<ServerFixture> {
@@ -690,6 +706,7 @@ async function fixture(
   const modeConfig: ServerConfig = {
     ...loadedConfig,
     toolMode: options.toolMode ?? loadedConfig.toolMode,
+    fileReadMode: options.fileReadMode ?? loadedConfig.fileReadMode,
     uiEnabled: options.uiEnabled ?? loadedConfig.uiEnabled,
   };
   const config: ServerConfig = options.localAgentProviders
diff --git a/src/server.ts b/src/server.ts
index 608498a4..abae97be 100644
--- a/src/server.ts
+++ b/src/server.ts
@@ -124,6 +124,12 @@ function serverInstructions(
   config: ServerConfig,
   toolSurface: ToolSurface,
 ): string {
+  const fileReadToolName = config.fileReadMode === "tool"
+    ? toolNames.read
+    : toolSurface.shellToolName;
+  const skillReadInstruction = config.fileReadMode === "tool"
+    ? `use ${toolNames.read} with the returned skill path`
+    : `use ${toolSurface.shellToolName} to read the returned skill path`;
   const artifactInstruction =
     config.artifactsEnabled && isArtifactDownloadSupportedPlatform()
       ? " When the user provides an attached or generated file that needs to be added to the workspace, pass the provided file directly to download_artifact with the existing workspace_id and a suitable relative destination path. Do not reconstruct attached files manually."
@@ -131,9 +137,9 @@ function serverInstructions(
   const showChangesInstruction =
     " If files are modified, call show_changes once after the final related change and before the final response.";
   const skills = config.skillsEnabled
-    ? `When ${toolNames.openWorkspace} returns available skills and a task matches one, use ${toolNames.read} with the returned skill path before proceeding. `
+    ? `When ${toolNames.openWorkspace} returns available skills and a task matches one, ${skillReadInstruction} before proceeding. `
     : "";
-  const agents = `Follow instructions returned by ${toolNames.openWorkspace}. Before working under a path listed in available_agents_files, use ${toolNames.read} to inspect that instruction file and follow it. `;
+  const agents = `Follow instructions returned by ${toolNames.openWorkspace}. Before working under a path listed in available_agents_files, use ${fileReadToolName} to inspect that instruction file and follow it. `;
   const common = `Call ${toolNames.openWorkspace} when starting work in a project folder or isolated worktree without a usable workspace_id, then reuse the returned workspace_id for subsequent operations in that workspace.`;
 
   return `${common} ${toolSurface.instructions({ agents, skills })}${artifactInstruction}${showChangesInstruction}`;
@@ -613,7 +619,7 @@ function registerMcpSurface(
     },
   );
 
-  registrationTarget.registerTool(
+  if (config.fileReadMode === "tool") registrationTarget.registerTool(
     toolNames.read,
     {
       title: "Read file",
diff --git a/src/tool-surfaces/claude.ts b/src/tool-surfaces/claude.ts
index d7d17f65..a712ffa6 100644
--- a/src/tool-surfaces/claude.ts
+++ b/src/tool-surfaces/claude.ts
@@ -22,13 +22,11 @@ import {
   textBlock,
 } from "./shared.js";
 
-const CLAUDE_INSTRUCTIONS = `Follow instructions returned by ${toolNames.openWorkspace}; read applicable instruction and skill files before working in their scope.`;
-
 export function claudeInstructions({
   agents,
   skills,
 }: ToolInstructionContext): string {
-  return `${agents}${skills}${CLAUDE_INSTRUCTIONS}`;
+  return `${agents}${skills}`;
 }
 
 export function registerClaudeTools(context: ToolRegistrationContext): void {
@@ -36,8 +34,6 @@ export function registerClaudeTools(context: ToolRegistrationContext): void {
   registerShellTool(context);
 }
 
-const CLAUDE_SHELL_DESCRIPTION = "Run a shell command in a workspace with the user's local permissions.";
-
 function registerClaudeMutationTools(context: ToolRegistrationContext): void {
   const { server, config, workspaces } = context;
 
@@ -187,7 +183,10 @@ function registerShellTool(context: ToolRegistrationContext): void {
     toolNames.shell,
     {
       title: "Bash",
-      description: CLAUDE_SHELL_DESCRIPTION,
+      description:
+        config.fileReadMode === "shell"
+          ? "Run a shell command in a workspace with the user's local permissions, including commands that inspect or read files."
+          : "Run a shell command in a workspace with the user's local permissions.",
       inputSchema: {
         workspace_id: z.string().describe(workspaceIdDescription),
         command: z
diff --git a/src/tool-surfaces/codex.ts b/src/tool-surfaces/codex.ts
index 23b3e853..6b03a3b2 100644
--- a/src/tool-surfaces/codex.ts
+++ b/src/tool-surfaces/codex.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import {
   SHELL_TOOL_ANNOTATIONS,
   toolNames,
   workspaceIdDescription,
+  type ToolInstructionContext,
   type ToolRegistrationContext,
 } from "./types.js";
 import {
@@ -20,10 +21,11 @@ import {
 
 type CodexRegistration = (context: ToolRegistrationContext) => void;
 
-const CODEX_INSTRUCTIONS = `Follow instructions returned by ${toolNames.openWorkspace}; read applicable instruction and skill files before working in their scope.`;
-
-export function codexInstructions(): string {
-  return CODEX_INSTRUCTIONS;
+export function codexInstructions({
+  agents,
+  skills,
+}: ToolInstructionContext): string {
+  return `${agents}${skills}`;
 }
 
 export function registerCodexTools(context: ToolRegistrationContext): void {
@@ -142,11 +144,13 @@ function registerCodexProcessTools(context: ToolRegistrationContext): void {
   const { server, config, workspaces, processSessions } = context;
 
   server.registerTool(
-    "exec_command",
+    toolNames.exec,
     {
       title: "Execute command",
       description:
-        "Run a shell command in a workspace with the user's local permissions. Returns the result when it exits during the yield window, otherwise returns a session_id for write_stdin.",
+        config.fileReadMode === "shell"
+          ? "Run a shell command in a workspace with the user's local permissions, including commands that inspect or read files. Returns the result when it exits during the yield window, otherwise returns a session_id for write_stdin."
+          : "Run a shell command in a workspace with the user's local permissions. Returns the result when it exits during the yield window, otherwise returns a session_id for write_stdin.",
       inputSchema: {
         workspace_id: z.string().describe(workspaceIdDescription),
         cmd: z.string().min(1).describe("Shell command to execute."),
@@ -214,7 +218,7 @@ function registerCodexProcessTools(context: ToolRegistrationContext): void {
       const snapshot = await runLoggedToolOperation(
         config,
         {
-          tool: "exec_command",
+          tool: toolNames.exec,
           workspaceId,
           workingDirectory: workingDirectory ?? ".",
           command: cmd,
@@ -250,14 +254,14 @@ function registerCodexProcessTools(context: ToolRegistrationContext): void {
     {
       title: "Write to process",
       description:
-        "Poll or write characters to a process returned by exec_command. Omit chars or pass an empty string to poll. Pass \\u0003 to send Ctrl-C.",
+        `Poll or write characters to a process returned by ${toolNames.exec}. Omit chars or pass an empty string to poll. Pass \\u0003 to send Ctrl-C.`,
       inputSchema: {
         workspace_id: z
           .string()
           .describe("Workspace identifier used to start the process."),
         session_id: z
           .number()
-          .describe("Process session identifier returned by exec_command."),
+          .describe(`Process session identifier returned by ${toolNames.exec}.`),
         chars: z
           .string()
           .optional()
diff --git a/src/tool-surfaces/index.ts b/src/tool-surfaces/index.ts
index f86a6e11..5f68a4c6 100644
--- a/src/tool-surfaces/index.ts
+++ b/src/tool-surfaces/index.ts
@@ -1,14 +1,16 @@
 import type { ToolMode } from "../config.js";
 import { codexInstructions, registerCodexTools } from "./codex.js";
 import { claudeInstructions, registerClaudeTools } from "./claude.js";
-import { type ToolSurface } from "./types.js";
+import { toolNames, type ToolSurface } from "./types.js";
 
 const TOOL_SURFACES: Record<ToolMode, ToolSurface> = {
   claude: {
+    shellToolName: toolNames.shell,
     register: registerClaudeTools,
     instructions: claudeInstructions,
   },
   codex: {
+    shellToolName: toolNames.exec,
     register: registerCodexTools,
     instructions: codexInstructions,
   },
diff --git a/src/tool-surfaces/types.ts b/src/tool-surfaces/types.ts
index 62f1add6..77dca295 100644
--- a/src/tool-surfaces/types.ts
+++ b/src/tool-surfaces/types.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ export const toolNames = {
   write: "write",
   edit: "edit",
   shell: "bash",
+  exec: "exec_cmd",
 } as const;
 
 export const workspaceIdDescription =
@@ -86,6 +87,7 @@ export interface ToolInstructionContext {
 }
 
 export interface ToolSurface {
+  shellToolName: string;
   register(context: ToolRegistrationContext): void;
   instructions(context: ToolInstructionContext): string;
 }