diff --git a/src/plyngent/config/models.py b/src/plyngent/config/models.py
index fefb944..7703c7a 100644
--- a/src/plyngent/config/models.py
+++ b/src/plyngent/config/models.py
@@ -40,8 +40,9 @@ DEFAULT_TOOL_DIRECTIVES = """\
 ### Workspace
 - Explore with `tree`/`listdir`/`glob_paths`/`regex_files`/`read_file` when unsure.
 - Stay under the workspace (or a path from `new_temporary_workspace`). Respect path denylists.
-- Need a path outside the workspace? Call `request_directory_access` \
-(human approves; denylists apply) instead of retrying an escaped path.
+- Need a path outside the workspace? Call `request_directory_access` with the \
+`mode` the escaped-path error names (human approves; denylists apply) instead of \
+retrying that path.
 
 ### Files
 - Prefer file tools over shell. `edit_replace` fails usually means a bad match — \
diff --git a/src/plyngent/tools/access.py b/src/plyngent/tools/access.py
index e67fd05..7ea3269 100644
--- a/src/plyngent/tools/access.py
+++ b/src/plyngent/tools/access.py
@@ -254,11 +254,11 @@ async def request_directory_access(path: str, reason: str = "", mode: str = "rea
     """Request human approval to use a directory (or exact file) outside the workspace.
 
     Call this instead of retrying a path that failed with ``path escapes
-    workspace root``. ``mode`` is ``read`` (inspect files), ``write`` (also
-    modify files) or ``exec`` (also use it as ``run_argv`` / PTY cwd); the human
-    may approve a different level. Approval lasts for the session (or for this
-    process when ``--yes`` auto-approves). Paths matching the configured
-    denylist can never be granted.
+    workspace root``, passing the ``mode`` that error names. ``mode`` is ``read``
+    (inspect files), ``write`` (also modify files) or ``exec`` (also use it as
+    ``run_argv`` / PTY cwd); the human may approve a different level. Approval
+    lasts for the session (or for this process when ``--yes`` auto-approves).
+    Paths matching the configured denylist can never be granted.
     """
     requested = parse_access_mode(mode)
     if requested is None:
diff --git a/src/plyngent/tools/workspace.py b/src/plyngent/tools/workspace.py
index a650cfc..e90e69d 100644
--- a/src/plyngent/tools/workspace.py
+++ b/src/plyngent/tools/workspace.py
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ def resolve_path(path: str | Path, *, required: AccessMode = AccessMode.WRITE) -
     if not _under_any_root(resolved, instance, policy) and not _path_grant_covers(resolved, required):
         msg = (
             f"path escapes workspace root ({root}): {path}; "
-            "call request_directory_access to request access to a directory outside the workspace"
+            f"call request_directory_access with mode={required.name.lower()!r} to request access outside the workspace"
         )
         raise WorkspaceError(msg)
     # Normalize separators so denylist entries like ``/secrets/`` match on Windows.
diff --git a/tests/test_tools/test_workspace.py b/tests/test_tools/test_workspace.py
index cc3d1f9..18bc9f1 100644
--- a/tests/test_tools/test_workspace.py
+++ b/tests/test_tools/test_workspace.py
@@ -38,6 +38,14 @@ def test_escape_error_hints_request_tool(workspace: object) -> None:
         _ = resolve_path("../outside")
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("required", [AccessMode.READ, AccessMode.WRITE, AccessMode.EXEC])
+def test_escape_error_names_the_mode_to_request(workspace: object, required: AccessMode) -> None:
+    """The refusal carries the lowest access mode that would cover the call."""
+    del workspace
+    with pytest.raises(WorkspaceError, match=f"mode='{required.name.lower()}'"):
+        _ = resolve_path("../outside", required=required)
+
+
 def test_access_mode_parse_and_covers() -> None:
     assert parse_access_mode(" Read ") is AccessMode.READ
     assert parse_access_mode("EXEC") is AccessMode.EXEC