diff --git a/agents/__tests__/base2.test.ts b/agents/__tests__/base2.test.ts
index 112507a624..d4dd0aef24 100644
--- a/agents/__tests__/base2.test.ts
+++ b/agents/__tests__/base2.test.ts
@@ -398,6 +398,26 @@ describe('base2 provider routing', () => {
 })
 
 describe('base2 optional tools', () => {
+  test('free mode omits follow-up cards by default without disabling questions', () => {
+    const free = createBase2('free')
+
+    expect(free.toolNames).not.toContain('suggest_followups')
+    expect(free.toolNames).toContain('ask_user')
+  })
+
+  test('other modes keep follow-up cards, and free mode can opt back in', () => {
+    for (const mode of ['default', 'lite', 'max'] as const) {
+      expect(createBase2(mode).toolNames).toContain('suggest_followups')
+    }
+
+    expect(
+      createBase2('free', { noFollowups: false }).toolNames,
+    ).toContain('suggest_followups')
+    expect(
+      createBase2('free', { noFollowups: true }).toolNames,
+    ).not.toContain('suggest_followups')
+  })
+
   test('omits gravity_index and its instruction together', () => {
     const base2 = createBase2('free', { noGravityIndex: true })
 
diff --git a/agents/base2/base2.ts b/agents/base2/base2.ts
index dcf695bd65..0d571a0acd 100644
--- a/agents/base2/base2.ts
+++ b/agents/base2/base2.ts
@@ -76,7 +76,10 @@ export function createBase2(
   const {
     planOnly = false,
     noAskUser = false,
-    noFollowups = false,
+    // Follow-up cards can end a time-limited Freebuff turn while there is
+    // still work to do. Keep them off by default for free-mode roots; a
+    // variant that wants them can explicitly pass noFollowups: false.
+    noFollowups = mode === 'free',
     noReview = false,
     noGravityIndex = false,
     model: modelOverride,