diff --git a/cortex/openai_orchestrator.py b/cortex/openai_orchestrator.py
index 11864c7..1821780 100644
--- a/cortex/openai_orchestrator.py
+++ b/cortex/openai_orchestrator.py
@@ -77,12 +77,11 @@ async def run(
     effective_confirm = (CONFIRM_REQUIRED - set(_confirm_allow)) | set(_confirm_deny)
 
     # Keyword routing: narrow schemas to only what this message needs.
-    # Also scans the last assistant turn so follow-ups like "yes, do that" inherit tool context.
-    # Returns [] when no keywords match (zero tool overhead — model responds as plain chat).
+    # Returns None on explicit tool request (full role list), fallback set when no keywords match.
     effective_tool_list = narrow_tools_by_keywords(task, tool_list, context_messages=session_messages)
     logger.info(
-        "Keyword routing: %d tools active (role_tools=%s)",
-        len(effective_tool_list),
+        "Keyword routing: %s tools active (role_tools=%s)",
+        len(effective_tool_list) if effective_tool_list is not None else "all",
         len(tool_list) if tool_list is not None else "all",
     )
 
diff --git a/cortex/tools/__init__.py b/cortex/tools/__init__.py
index 037386a..7c70e9f 100644
--- a/cortex/tools/__init__.py
+++ b/cortex/tools/__init__.py
@@ -640,11 +640,23 @@ _KEYWORD_CATEGORY_MAP: dict[str, list[str]] = {
 }
 
 
-def classify_tool_categories(message: str) -> list[str]:
-    """Return category names whose keywords appear in message (case-insensitive).
+# Tools always available as a fallback when no keyword category matches.
+# Covers the most common casual needs: quick lookup, session context, scratchpad.
+_FALLBACK_TOOLS: list[str] = [
+    "web_search", "session_search", "session_read", "scratch_read",
+]
 
-    Empty return means no tool category matched — route as pure chat with zero tool overhead.
-    """
+# Phrases that signal the user explicitly wants the orchestrator to use tools.
+# When matched, the full role tool list is returned rather than a narrow subset.
+_EXPLICIT_TOOL_PHRASES: list[str] = [
+    "use your tools", "use tools", "with tools", "using tools",
+    "look that up", "can you check", "please check", "go check",
+    "use the tools", "tools to", "check on that",
+]
+
+
+def classify_tool_categories(message: str) -> list[str]:
+    """Return category names whose keywords appear in message (case-insensitive)."""
     low = message.lower()
     return [cat for cat, kws in _KEYWORD_CATEGORY_MAP.items() if any(kw in low for kw in kws)]
 
@@ -653,15 +665,15 @@ def narrow_tools_by_keywords(
     message: str,
     role_tools: list[str] | None,
     context_messages: list[dict] | None = None,
-) -> list[str]:
+) -> list[str] | None:
     """Narrow the active tool list to categories relevant to this message.
 
-    Also scans the last assistant message in context_messages — this catches follow-up
-    patterns like "yes, please do that" where the tool intent was expressed by the assistant
-    in the prior turn and the user is simply confirming.
+    Also scans the last assistant message in context_messages — catches follow-up
+    patterns like "yes, please do that" where tool intent was in the prior turn.
 
-    Returns [] if no keywords matched (zero tool overhead).
-    Returns keyword-matched tools, intersected with role_tools if role_tools is set.
+    Returns None  — explicit tool request detected; caller uses full role tool list.
+    Returns list  — keyword-matched tools (intersected with role_tools if set).
+                    Falls back to _FALLBACK_TOOLS rather than [] when no categories match.
     """
     scan_text = message
     if context_messages:
@@ -670,9 +682,20 @@ def narrow_tools_by_keywords(
                 scan_text = scan_text + " " + (m.get("content") or "")
                 break
 
+    low_scan = scan_text.lower()
+
+    # Explicit "use your tools" request → return full permitted list
+    if any(phrase in low_scan for phrase in _EXPLICIT_TOOL_PHRASES):
+        return role_tools  # None means all tools; list means role-scoped set
+
     matched = classify_tool_categories(scan_text)
     if not matched:
-        return []
+        # No category matched — return minimal fallback rather than empty
+        fallback = list(_FALLBACK_TOOLS)
+        if role_tools is not None:
+            role_set = set(role_tools)
+            fallback = [t for t in fallback if t in role_set]
+        return fallback
 
     seen: set[str] = set()
     dynamic: list[str] = []