feat(core): implement context-aware persistent policy approvals (#23257)

docs/cli/plan-mode.md

@@ -181,9 +181,16 @@ As described in the
 rule that does not explicitly specify `modes` is considered "always active" and
 will apply to Plan Mode as well.
 
-If you want a rule to apply to other modes but _not_ to Plan Mode, you must
-explicitly specify the target modes. For example, to allow `npm test` in default
-and Auto-Edit modes but not in Plan Mode:
+To maintain the integrity of Plan Mode as a safe research environment,
+persistent tool approvals are context-aware. Approvals granted in modes like
+Default or Auto-Edit do not apply to Plan Mode, ensuring that tools trusted for
+implementation don't automatically execute while you're researching. However,
+approvals granted while in Plan Mode are treated as intentional choices for
+global trust and apply to all modes.
+
+If you want to manually restrict a rule to other modes but _not_ to Plan Mode,
+you must explicitly specify the target modes. For example, to allow `npm test`
+in default and Auto-Edit modes but not in Plan Mode:
 
 ```toml
 [[rule]]

docs/reference/policy-engine.md

@@ -171,6 +171,24 @@ modes specified, it is always active.
   [Customizing Plan Mode Policies](../cli/plan-mode.md#customizing-policies).
 - `yolo`: A mode where all tools are auto-approved (use with extreme caution).
 
+To maintain the integrity of Plan Mode as a safe research environment,
+persistent tool approvals are context-aware. When you select **"Allow for all
+future sessions"**, the policy engine explicitly includes the current mode and
+all more permissive modes in the hierarchy (`plan` < `default` < `autoEdit` <
+`yolo`).
+
+- **Approvals in `plan` mode**: These represent an intentional choice to trust a
+  tool globally. The resulting rule explicitly includes all modes (`plan`,
+  `default`, `autoEdit`, and `yolo`).
+- **Approvals in other modes**: These only apply to the current mode and those
+  more permissive. For example:
+  - An approval granted in **`default`** mode applies to `default`, `autoEdit`,
+    and `yolo`.
+  - An approval granted in **`autoEdit`** mode applies to `autoEdit` and `yolo`.
+  - An approval granted in **`yolo`** mode applies only to `yolo`. This ensures
+    that trust flows correctly to more permissive environments while maintaining
+    the safety of more restricted modes like `plan`.
+
 ## Rule matching
 
 When a tool call is made, the engine checks it against all active rules,
@@ -304,7 +322,8 @@ priority = 10
 denyMessage = "Deletion is permanent"
 
 # (Optional) An array of approval modes where this rule is active.
-modes = ["autoEdit"]
+# If omitted or empty, the rule applies to all modes.
+modes = ["default", "autoEdit", "yolo"]
 
 # (Optional) A boolean to restrict the rule to interactive (true) or
 # non-interactive (false) environments.