diff --git a/internal/tools/delegate_prep.go b/internal/tools/delegate_prep.go
index a60b3338..368617bf 100644
--- a/internal/tools/delegate_prep.go
+++ b/internal/tools/delegate_prep.go
@@ -53,7 +53,11 @@ func (dm *DelegateManager) prepareDelegation(ctx context.Context, opts DelegateO
 	// Auto-create team task when team_task_id is omitted.
 	// This eliminates the two-step create→spawn dance that caused LLM hallucination
 	// (LLM would call create+spawn in parallel, hallucinating the task_id).
+	// Only the team lead can create tasks — members must ask the lead.
 	if team != nil && opts.TeamTaskID == uuid.Nil {
+		if sourceAgentID != team.LeadAgentID {
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("only the team lead can create team tasks — ask your lead to assign this task")
+		}
 		subject := opts.Label
 		if subject == "" {
 			subject = opts.Task
diff --git a/internal/tools/team_message_tool.go b/internal/tools/team_message_tool.go
index fb6d7f42..cf955196 100644
--- a/internal/tools/team_message_tool.go
+++ b/internal/tools/team_message_tool.go
@@ -139,6 +139,9 @@ func (t *TeamMessageTool) executeBroadcast(ctx context.Context, args map[string]
 	if err != nil {
 		return ErrorResult(err.Error())
 	}
+	if err := t.manager.requireLead(ctx, team, agentID); err != nil {
+		return ErrorResult(err.Error())
+	}
 
 	text, _ := args["text"].(string)
 	if text == "" {
diff --git a/internal/tools/team_tasks_tool.go b/internal/tools/team_tasks_tool.go
index f55055c6..2937fbc6 100644
--- a/internal/tools/team_tasks_tool.go
+++ b/internal/tools/team_tasks_tool.go
@@ -226,10 +226,13 @@ func (t *TeamTasksTool) executeSearch(ctx context.Context, args map[string]inter
 }
 
 func (t *TeamTasksTool) executeCreate(ctx context.Context, args map[string]interface{}) *Result {
-	team, _, err := t.manager.resolveTeam(ctx)
+	team, agentID, err := t.manager.resolveTeam(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return ErrorResult(err.Error())
 	}
+	if err := t.manager.requireLead(ctx, team, agentID); err != nil {
+		return ErrorResult(err.Error())
+	}
 
 	subject, _ := args["subject"].(string)
 	if subject == "" {
@@ -378,10 +381,13 @@ func (t *TeamTasksTool) executeCancel(ctx context.Context, args map[string]inter
 		return ErrorResult("delegate agents cannot cancel team tasks directly")
 	}
 
-	team, _, err := t.manager.resolveTeam(ctx)
+	team, agentID, err := t.manager.resolveTeam(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return ErrorResult(err.Error())
 	}
+	if err := t.manager.requireLead(ctx, team, agentID); err != nil {
+		return ErrorResult(err.Error())
+	}
 
 	taskIDStr, _ := args["task_id"].(string)
 	if taskIDStr == "" {
diff --git a/internal/tools/team_tool_manager.go b/internal/tools/team_tool_manager.go
index 3f2a8e6c..f0e3ef20 100644
--- a/internal/tools/team_tool_manager.go
+++ b/internal/tools/team_tool_manager.go
@@ -87,6 +87,19 @@ func (m *TeamToolManager) resolveTeam(ctx context.Context) (*store.TeamData, uui
 	return team, agentID, nil
 }
 
+// requireLead checks if the calling agent is the team lead.
+// Delegate/system channels bypass this check (they act on behalf of the lead).
+func (m *TeamToolManager) requireLead(ctx context.Context, team *store.TeamData, agentID uuid.UUID) error {
+	channel := ToolChannelFromCtx(ctx)
+	if channel == "delegate" || channel == "system" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if agentID != team.LeadAgentID {
+		return fmt.Errorf("only the team lead can perform this action")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // InvalidateTeam clears all cached team data.
 // Called when team membership, settings, or links change.
 // Full clear is acceptable because team mutations are rare (admin-initiated).