diff --git a/src/plyngent/agent/tools.py b/src/plyngent/agent/tools.py
index b82e6be..7a9d10e 100644
--- a/src/plyngent/agent/tools.py
+++ b/src/plyngent/agent/tools.py
@@ -201,6 +201,30 @@ def tool[**PS, R](
     return decorator
 
 
+def _missing_required_error(definition: ToolDefinition, args: Mapping[str, object]) -> str | None:
+    """Model-facing error when a call omits a required argument.
+
+    The JSON schema already declares what is required, so the model gets the
+    exact argument names back instead of the handler's bare ``TypeError``
+    (``missing 1 required positional argument``). Unknown *extra* arguments are
+    left to the handler: a declared schema is not proof that no other key is
+    accepted (MCP servers may document only part of their input).
+    """
+    schema = definition.parameters
+    required = schema.get("required")
+    if not isinstance(required, list):
+        return None
+    missing = [name for name in cast("list[object]", required) if isinstance(name, str) and name not in args]
+    if not missing:
+        return None
+    properties = schema.get("properties")
+    accepted: list[str] = []
+    if isinstance(properties, dict):
+        accepted = sorted(str(key) for key in cast("dict[object, object]", properties))
+    hint = f"; it accepts: {', '.join(accepted)}" if accepted else ""
+    return f"error: `{definition.name}` is missing required argument(s): {', '.join(missing)}{hint}"
+
+
 class ToolRegistry:
     """Name → tool definition map with execution helpers."""
 
@@ -434,6 +458,11 @@ class ToolRegistry:
         if not isinstance(raw_args, dict):
             return "error: tool arguments must be a JSON object"
         args = {str(key): value for key, value in cast("dict[object, object]", raw_args).items()}
+        # Argument shape/coverage problems are answered before any confirm prompt:
+        # the human should never be asked about a call that cannot run.
+        missing_error = _missing_required_error(definition, args)
+        if missing_error is not None:
+            return missing_error
 
         async def _run() -> str:
             missing = self._check_state_tags(definition)
diff --git a/tests/test_agent/test_tools.py b/tests/test_agent/test_tools.py
index 1414572..2a19cf7 100644
--- a/tests/test_agent/test_tools.py
+++ b/tests/test_agent/test_tools.py
@@ -70,6 +70,46 @@ async def test_registry_handler_error() -> None:
     assert "failed" in result
 
 
+async def test_registry_reports_missing_required_arguments() -> None:
+    """A missing required arg is explained with the accepted names, not a TypeError."""
+    called: list[str] = []
+
+    @tool(register=False)
+    def pick(question: str, options: list[str], *, allow_custom: bool = True) -> str:
+        del allow_custom
+        called.append(question)
+        return options[0]
+
+    registry = ToolRegistry([pick])
+    result = await registry.execute("pick", '{"question": "Which?"}')
+    assert result == (
+        "error: `pick` is missing required argument(s): options; it accepts: allow_custom, options, question"
+    )
+    assert called == []  # the handler never ran
+    assert await registry.execute("pick", '{"question": "Which?", "options": ["a"]}') == "a"
+    assert called == ["Which?"]
+
+
+async def test_registry_missing_arg_skips_confirm_hook() -> None:
+    """The human is not asked to confirm a call that can never run."""
+    confirms: list[str] = []
+
+    def confirm(name: str, args: object, reason: str) -> bool:
+        del args, reason
+        confirms.append(name)
+        return True
+
+    @tool(register=False)
+    def write(path: str, content: str) -> str:
+        del content
+        return path
+
+    registry = ToolRegistry([write], danger=lambda name, args: "writes a file", on_confirm=confirm)
+    result = await registry.execute("write", '{"path": "x"}')
+    assert "missing required argument(s): content" in result
+    assert confirms == []
+
+
 def test_tool_items() -> None:
     @tool(register=False)
     def f(x: int) -> int:
diff --git a/tests/test_tools/test_chat_tools.py b/tests/test_tools/test_chat_tools.py
index 9fe8ad3..c5ee950 100644
--- a/tests/test_tools/test_chat_tools.py
+++ b/tests/test_tools/test_chat_tools.py
@@ -333,3 +333,29 @@ def test_wait_prompt_renders_fractional_seconds() -> None:
     prompt = wait_module._wait_prompt(2.5, reason=None)
     assert prompt.startswith("Waiting for 2.5s.")
     assert wait_module._wait_prompt(5, reason=None).startswith("Waiting for 5s.")
+
+
+async def test_choose_user_reports_missing_options() -> None:
+    """A call without the required ``options`` lists what the tool accepts."""
+    backend = ScriptedBackend(["1"])
+    with temporary_backend(backend):
+        registry = ToolRegistry([choose_user])
+        out = await registry.execute("ask_user_choice", json.dumps({"question": "Pick"}))
+    assert out.startswith("error:")
+    assert "missing required argument(s): options" in out
+    assert "it accepts: allow_custom, default, options, question" in out
+    assert backend.lines == ["1"]  # the human was never asked
+
+
+async def test_form_user_reports_missing_fields() -> None:
+    registry = ToolRegistry([form_user])
+    out = await registry.execute("ask_user_form", json.dumps({"title": "Setup"}))
+    assert out.startswith("error:")
+    assert "missing required argument(s): fields" in out
+
+
+async def test_wait_reports_missing_duration() -> None:
+    registry = ToolRegistry([wait])
+    out = await registry.execute("wait", "{}")
+    assert out.startswith("error:")
+    assert "missing required argument(s): duration" in out