diff --git a/docs/design/deferred-workflow-tool.md b/docs/design/deferred-workflow-tool.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ca344f67422
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/design/deferred-workflow-tool.md
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+# Deferred Workflow tool
+
+[English](deferred-workflow-tool.md) | [简体中文](deferred-workflow-tool.zh-CN.md)
+
+## Problem
+
+By default, when workflows are enabled, Direct-mode requests carry the complete
+Workflow description and parameter schema, even when the user never runs a
+workflow. The existing deferred-tool bridge already supports discovering a
+tool's schema with `tool_search` and invoking it with `tool_call` without
+changing the request's standing function declarations.
+
+## Decision
+
+Make Workflow deferred by default with `shouldDefer=true`. Keep its full
+description, parameter schema, registration gates, authoring reference and
+execution behavior unchanged. The startup catalog retains the existing short
+description. Explicit workflow intent and persistent Workflow mode still use
+on-demand discovery; neither automatically reveals the schema.
+
+The per-turn `isToolHiddenBehindToolSearch` helper must recognize native
+deferred tools through the registry's `isDeferredAndHidden` result. Retain its
+permission-deferred lazy-factory fallback, because a factory need not have a
+tool instance yet. Preserve the CodeModeOnly exclusion: that mode invokes
+discovered tools through `exec`, not the Direct-mode `tool_call` bridge. Do not
+change the separate construction-time Skill reference decision.
+
+## Compatibility and scope
+
+- `tools.visible` can still expose Workflow directly. `tools.eager` does not
+  override a tool's native deferral, consistent with other deferred tools.
+- The existing schema-budget preload and incomplete-bridge fallback still
+  apply. An explicit permission deferral remains distinct from native deferral.
+  A nonzero preload budget remains all-or-nothing: Workflow now contributes to
+  the candidate total and can push the entire deferred set over budget. The
+  default zero budget does not preload tools.
+  Normal LLM initialization runs `startChat` and resolves the incomplete-bridge
+  fallback before Config marks Workflow mode ready or applies its initial mode,
+  so mode activation does not wait for the first model request.
+- Old histories containing direct Workflow calls can reveal the tool during
+  replay; `/clear` retains its existing reset behavior.
+- Named workflows, name-only sessions, host-owned runs and `/review` activation
+  keep their existing registration and execution paths. Deferred calls retain
+  target-tool approval, hooks and subagent restrictions.
+- No public API, settings, parameter or persistence changes are required. Other
+  tools, context-usage accounting and deployment are outside this change.
+
+## Verification and acceptance
+
+Use a real Workflow tool in registry and discovery tests. A default request with
+workflows enabled must omit its full declaration and retain a short catalog
+entry. Exact and keyword search must return the unchanged schema; reviewing it
+must not expand the standing declarations. A reviewed call must execute through
+the existing bridge, and unreviewed or policy-forbidden calls must remain
+blocked.
+
+Check native-deferred workflow intent and mode reminders, visible/revealed
+tools, CodeModeOnly, permission-deferred lazy factories, schema-budget preload,
+disabled workflows, missing bridge halves, name-only schemas, history replay,
+`/clear` and mid-session `/review` activation. Run focused package tests, build,
+typecheck and bundle.
+
+Dry-run the headless E2E procedure with the global CLI, then compare actual
+requests from the exact unmodified base and changed build with identical input
+and configuration. Report token estimates with a fixed tokenizer separately
+from provider usage. Mock-provider usage is synthetic and cannot establish
+billed savings. The acceptance criterion is request-content reduction and a
+working discovery/invocation path, not a fixed token-saving threshold.
diff --git a/docs/design/deferred-workflow-tool.zh-CN.md b/docs/design/deferred-workflow-tool.zh-CN.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..efa46592b33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/design/deferred-workflow-tool.zh-CN.md
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+# Workflow 工具延迟加载
+
+[English](deferred-workflow-tool.md) | [简体中文](deferred-workflow-tool.zh-CN.md)
+
+## 问题
+
+默认情况下，启用 workflow 后，即使用户没有运行 workflow，Direct 模式请求仍携带完整的
+Workflow 描述和参数 schema。已有延迟工具桥接机制支持通过 `tool_search` 查阅
+schema，再通过 `tool_call` 调用，无需改变请求中常驻的函数声明。
+
+## 决策
+
+通过 `shouldDefer=true` 将 Workflow 改为默认延迟加载。保持完整描述、参数 schema、
+注册条件、编写参考和执行行为不变。启动目录保留现有简短描述。明确的 workflow 意图和
+持久 Workflow 模式也按需发现工具，均不自动展示完整 schema。
+
+逐轮调用的 `isToolHiddenBehindToolSearch` 应通过注册表的 `isDeferredAndHidden`
+结果识别工具原生的延迟状态。同时保留 permission-deferred lazy factory 的兜底判断，
+因为此时工具实例可能尚未构造。保留 CodeModeOnly 排除逻辑：该模式通过 `exec` 调用
+发现的工具，不使用 Direct 模式的 `tool_call` 桥。保持独立的 Skill 编写参考构造期
+判断不变。
+
+## 兼容性和范围
+
+- `tools.visible` 仍可直接展示 Workflow。与其他延迟工具一致，`tools.eager` 不覆盖
+  工具自身的延迟状态。
+- 保留现有 schema 预算预加载和桥接工具缺失时的兜底。配置明确要求的延迟与工具原生
+  延迟仍分别处理。
+  非零预加载预算仍采用全有或全无规则：Workflow 现在计入候选总量，可能使整组延迟工具
+  超出预算。默认零预算不预加载工具。
+  正常 LLM 初始化会执行 `startChat` 并完成缺桥兜底，随后 Config 才将 Workflow 模式
+  标记为就绪、应用初始模式，因此模式激活无需等待首个模型请求。
+- 包含直接 Workflow 调用的旧会话可在回放时展示工具；`/clear` 保持现有重置行为。
+- 已保存的具名 workflow、name-only 会话、宿主运行和 `/review` 激活保持现有注册及
+  执行路径。延迟调用仍遵守目标工具审批、hooks 和子代理限制。
+- 无需修改公开 API、配置、参数或持久化格式。其他工具、context-usage 统计和部署不在
+  此次改动范围内。
+
+## 验证和验收
+
+使用真实 Workflow 工具进行注册表和发现测试。启用 workflow 的默认请求必须省略完整
+声明，保留简短目录条目。精确搜索和关键词搜索必须返回原有 schema，查阅后不能扩展
+常驻声明。查阅后的调用必须通过现有桥接执行，未经查阅或被策略禁止的调用仍须拦截。
+
+检查原生延迟 workflow 的意图及模式提示、visible/revealed 工具、CodeModeOnly、
+permission-deferred lazy factory、schema 预算预加载、workflow 禁用、桥接任一端
+缺失、name-only schema、历史回放、`/clear` 和会话中途 `/review` 激活。执行相关
+包内测试、build、typecheck 和 bundle。
+
+先用全局 CLI dry-run 无界面 E2E 流程，再使用完全相同的输入和配置，对比精确未修改
+基线与修改版构建的实际请求。使用固定 tokenizer 的估算与 Provider 用量分别报告。
+Mock Provider 的 usage 是合成值，不能证明计费用量收益。验收依据是请求内容减少且
+发现、调用链路可用，不设固定 token 节省阈值。
diff --git a/integration-tests/cli/workflow-intent.test.ts b/integration-tests/cli/workflow-intent.test.ts
index 4870ff63342..36380b2baf2 100644
--- a/integration-tests/cli/workflow-intent.test.ts
+++ b/integration-tests/cli/workflow-intent.test.ts
@@ -77,7 +77,12 @@ describe('DW03: headless prompts remain unknown', () => {
     const body = JSON.stringify(requests[0].body['messages']);
     expect(body).toContain('workflow ultracode');
     expect(body).not.toContain("The user's message includes the");
-    expect(JSON.stringify(requests[0].body['tools'])).toContain('workflow');
+    expect(body).toContain('- \\"workflow\\":');
+    expect(requests[0].body['tools']).not.toContainEqual(
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        function: expect.objectContaining({ name: 'workflow' }),
+      }),
+    );
   };
 
   it.each(['text', 'json', 'stream-json'])(
diff --git a/packages/core/src/core/mod-tool-check.test.ts b/packages/core/src/core/mod-tool-check.test.ts
index 99205ffe696..bff89cdb043 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/core/mod-tool-check.test.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/core/mod-tool-check.test.ts
@@ -575,6 +575,7 @@ describe('headless-owned Mod tool.check restriction', () => {
               chatRecording: true,
               workflowsEnabled: true,
               workflowNameOnly: true,
+              visibleTools: ['workflow'],
               approvalMode,
               interactive: approver === 'person',
               inputFormat:
diff --git a/packages/core/src/skills/bundled-reference.ts b/packages/core/src/skills/bundled-reference.ts
index 4f3d6ea97fc..093fb6df6f1 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/skills/bundled-reference.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/skills/bundled-reference.ts
@@ -217,20 +217,21 @@ function isToolDeferredBehindToolSearch(config: Config, name: string): boolean {
 }
 
 /**
- * Whether a registered tool's schema is withheld from the request right now:
- * deferred as above and not revealed through ToolSearch yet. For a question
- * asked again on every turn, such as the Workflow keyword reminder's.
+ * Whether a registered tool's schema is withheld from the Direct-mode request
+ * right now. Used each turn by the Workflow keyword and mode reminders.
  *
- * Mirrors `ToolRegistry.isDeferredAndHidden`, which cannot be used here: it
- * answers false for a tool that is still only a lazy factory, which is exactly
- * the state while the tool asking the question is being constructed.
+ * The registry covers native deferral, but a permission-deferred lazy factory
+ * has no instance yet and still needs the construction-time fallback.
  */
 export function isToolHiddenBehindToolSearch(
   config: Config,
   name: string,
 ): boolean {
+  if (config.getToolMode?.() === ToolMode.CodeModeOnly) return false;
+  const registry = config.getToolRegistry?.();
+  if (registry?.isDeferredAndHidden?.(name)) return true;
   if (!isToolDeferredBehindToolSearch(config, name)) return false;
-  return !config.getToolRegistry?.()?.isDeferredToolRevealed?.(name);
+  return !registry?.isDeferredToolRevealed?.(name);
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/packages/core/src/tools/workflow/workflow-deferred.test.ts b/packages/core/src/tools/workflow/workflow-deferred.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..479a164cfca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/src/tools/workflow/workflow-deferred.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,208 @@
+/**
+ * @license
+ * Copyright 2026 Qwen Team
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+import { Config, type ConfigParameters } from '../../config/config.js';
+import { buildDeferredToolsReminder } from '../../core/environmentContext.js';
+import {
+  resolveWorkflowContext,
+  resolveWorkflowIntent,
+} from '../../core/workflow-intent.js';
+import { WorkflowModeContext } from '../../core/workflow-mode.js';
+import { runWithAgentContext } from '../../agents/runtime/agent-context.js';
+import { MockTool } from '../../test-utils/mock-tool.js';
+import { ToolRegistry } from '../tool-registry.js';
+import { ToolSearchTool } from '../tool-search.js';
+import { resolveDeferredToolCall, ToolCallTool } from '../tool-call.js';
+import { ToolErrorType } from '../tool-error.js';
+import { ToolNames } from '../tool-names.js';
+import { WorkflowTool } from './workflow.js';
+
+afterEach(() => vi.restoreAllMocks());
+
+function fixture(params: Partial<ConfigParameters> = {}) {
+  const config = new Config({
+    cwd: '/tmp',
+    targetDir: '/tmp',
+    model: 'test-model',
+    embeddingModel: 'test-embedding-model',
+    sandbox: undefined,
+    debugMode: false,
+    workflowsEnabled: true,
+    ...params,
+  });
+  const registry = new ToolRegistry(config);
+  vi.spyOn(config, 'getToolRegistry').mockReturnValue(registry);
+  const search = new ToolSearchTool(config);
+  registry.registerTool(search);
+  registry.registerTool(new ToolCallTool());
+  registry.registerTool(new MockTool({ name: ToolNames.EXEC }));
+  const workflow = new WorkflowTool(config);
+  registry.registerTool(workflow);
+  const lookup = (query = 'select:workflow') =>
+    search.build({ query }).execute(new AbortController().signal);
+  return { config, registry, workflow, lookup };
+}
+
+describe('deferred Workflow discovery', () => {
+  it('keeps only the short catalog entry in a fresh Direct request', () => {
+    const { registry, workflow } = fixture();
+    expect(registry.getFunctionDeclarations()).not.toContainEqual(
+      workflow.schema,
+    );
+    expect(
+      registry.getFunctionDeclarations({ includeDeferred: true }),
+    ).toContainEqual(workflow.schema);
+    const reminder = buildDeferredToolsReminder(registry);
+    expect(reminder).toContain('"workflow"');
+    expect(reminder).toContain(workflow.description.split('\n')[0]);
+    expect(reminder).not.toContain('**Runtime**');
+    expect(reminder).not.toContain('parametersJsonSchema');
+  });
+
+  it.each(['select:workflow', 'workflow orchestration'])(
+    'returns the full schema without expanding declarations: %s',
+    async (query) => {
+      const { registry, workflow, lookup } = fixture();
+      const declarations = registry.getFunctionDeclarations();
+      const envelope = {
+        name: 'workflow',
+        arguments: { script: 'return 42;' },
+      };
+      expect(await resolveDeferredToolCall(registry, envelope)).toMatchObject({
+        errorType: ToolErrorType.INVALID_TOOL_PARAMS,
+        error: expect.objectContaining({
+          message: expect.stringContaining('no verified schema review'),
+        }),
+      });
+      const result = await lookup(query);
+      expect(result.error).toBeUndefined();
+      const block = String(result.llmContent).match(
+        /<function>([\s\S]*?)<\/function>/,
+      );
+      expect(block).not.toBeNull();
+      expect(JSON.parse(block![1])).toEqual(workflow.schema);
+      expect(await resolveDeferredToolCall(registry, envelope)).toEqual({
+        tool: workflow,
+        arguments: envelope.arguments,
+      });
+      expect(registry.getFunctionDeclarations()).toEqual(declarations);
+      expect(registry.isDeferredAndHidden('workflow')).toBe(true);
+    },
+  );
+
+  it('directs native-deferred keyword and mode requests through the bridge', () => {
+    const { config, registry } = fixture();
+    const intent = resolveWorkflowIntent(config, { text: 'workflow' });
+    const context = resolveWorkflowContext(config);
+    const mode = new WorkflowModeContext();
+    mode.setRequested(true);
+    for (const reminder of [
+      intent?.reminder,
+      mode.prepare(context, null).reminder,
+    ]) {
+      expect(reminder).toContain('`tool_search`');
+      expect(reminder).toContain('`tool_call`');
+    }
+    expect(registry.isDeferredAndHidden('workflow')).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it.each([ToolNames.TOOL_SEARCH, ToolNames.TOOL_CALL])(
+    'does not advertise a hidden tool when %s is missing',
+    (name) => {
+      const { config, registry } = fixture();
+      registry.unregisterTool(name);
+      expect(resolveWorkflowContext(config)).toBeNull();
+      registry.revealDeferredTool('workflow');
+      expect(resolveWorkflowContext(config)?.bridgeWorkflowTool).toBe(false);
+    },
+  );
+
+  it('honors explicit visibility without suggesting bridge discovery', () => {
+    const { config, registry, workflow } = fixture({
+      visibleTools: ['workflow'],
+    });
+    expect(registry.getFunctionDeclarations()).toContainEqual(workflow.schema);
+    expect(buildDeferredToolsReminder(registry)).toBeNull();
+    expect(resolveWorkflowContext(config)?.bridgeWorkflowTool).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('preserves budget preload and restores deferral after clearing reveals', () => {
+    const { config, registry, workflow } = fixture();
+    expect(registry.preloadDeferredToolsWithinBudget(0)).toBe(0);
+    expect(registry.preloadDeferredToolsWithinBudget(100_000)).toBe(1);
+    expect(registry.getFunctionDeclarations()).toContainEqual(workflow.schema);
+    expect(resolveWorkflowContext(config)?.bridgeWorkflowTool).toBe(false);
+    registry.clearRevealedDeferredTools();
+    expect(registry.getFunctionDeclarations()).not.toContainEqual(
+      workflow.schema,
+    );
+    expect(resolveWorkflowContext(config)?.bridgeWorkflowTool).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('keeps CodeMode discovery behind exec without Direct bridge instructions', async () => {
+    const { config, registry, workflow, lookup } = fixture({
+      codeModeOnly: true,
+    });
+    const declarations = registry.getFunctionDeclarations();
+    expect(JSON.stringify(declarations)).not.toContain('tools.workflow(args:');
+    expect(resolveWorkflowContext(config)?.bridgeWorkflowTool).toBe(false);
+    const result = await lookup();
+    const block = String(result.llmContent).match(
+      /<function>([\s\S]*?)<\/function>/,
+    );
+    expect(block).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(JSON.parse(block![1])).toMatchObject({
+      ...workflow.schema,
+      jsName: 'workflow',
+    });
+    expect(result.llmContent).toContain('through exec');
+    expect(registry.getFunctionDeclarations()).toEqual(declarations);
+  });
+
+  it('retains the named-only schema through discovery', async () => {
+    const { workflow, lookup } = fixture({ workflowNameOnly: true });
+    const result = await lookup();
+    const block = String(result.llmContent).match(
+      /<function>([\s\S]*?)<\/function>/,
+    );
+    expect(JSON.parse(block![1])).toEqual(workflow.schema);
+    expect(workflow.parameterSchema).toHaveProperty('properties.name');
+    expect(workflow.parameterSchema).not.toHaveProperty('properties.script');
+    expect(() => workflow.build({ script: 'return 42;' })).toThrow(
+      'named workflows',
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('does not let a reviewed deferred Workflow bypass subagent restrictions', async () => {
+    const { registry, lookup } = fixture();
+    await lookup();
+    const result = await runWithAgentContext('child', () =>
+      resolveDeferredToolCall(registry, {
+        name: 'workflow',
+        arguments: { script: 'return 42;' },
+      }),
+    );
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ errorType: ToolErrorType.EXECUTION_DENIED });
+    expect(result).not.toHaveProperty('tool');
+  });
+
+  it('keeps mid-session review activation deferred and discoverable', async () => {
+    const { config, registry, lookup } = fixture({
+      workflowsEnabled: undefined,
+    });
+    registry.unregisterTool('workflow');
+    const declarations = registry.getFunctionDeclarations();
+    const setTools = vi.fn(async () => registry.warmAll());
+    vi.spyOn(config, 'getLlmClient').mockReturnValue({ setTools } as never);
+    await config.enableReviewWorkflow();
+    expect(config.isWorkflowsEnabled()).toBe(true);
+    expect(setTools).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    expect(registry.isDeferredAndHidden('workflow')).toBe(true);
+    expect((await lookup()).llmContent).toContain('"name":"workflow"');
+    expect(registry.getFunctionDeclarations()).toEqual(declarations);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/core/src/tools/workflow/workflow.ts b/packages/core/src/tools/workflow/workflow.ts
index c32ad17c60f..24807d4add3 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/tools/workflow/workflow.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/tools/workflow/workflow.ts
@@ -1806,6 +1806,7 @@ export class WorkflowTool extends BaseDeclarativeTool<
       buildWorkflowParamSchema(surface, nameOnly),
       /* isOutputMarkdown */ true,
       /* canUpdateOutput */ true,
+      /* shouldDefer */ true,
     );
     this.authoringSurface = surface;
   }