diff --git a/src/resources/extensions/sf/auto.js b/src/resources/extensions/sf/auto.js
index 33e65a481..168e9bf65 100644
--- a/src/resources/extensions/sf/auto.js
+++ b/src/resources/extensions/sf/auto.js
@@ -189,6 +189,8 @@ import {
 	setActiveMilestoneId,
 } from "./worktree.js";
 import { WorktreeResolver } from "./worktree-resolver.js";
+import { resolvePreset } from "./operating-model.js";
+import { showConfirm } from "../shared/tui.js";
 
 export {
 	MAX_LIFETIME_DISPATCHES,
@@ -1392,6 +1394,27 @@ export async function startAuto(ctx, pi, base, verboseMode, options) {
 		debugLog("startAuto", { phase: "already-active", skipping: true });
 		return;
 	}
+	// Gate: if the user is in Ask mode (manual runControl), ask permission to
+	// switch to Build mode before starting autonomous execution.
+	if (s.runControl === "manual" && !options?.skipModeGate) {
+		const confirmed = await showConfirm(ctx, {
+			title: "Switch to Build mode?",
+			message:
+				"You're in Ask mode. Autonomous execution requires Build mode — SF will execute without further prompts.",
+			confirmLabel: "Switch to Build",
+			declineLabel: "Stay in Ask",
+		});
+		if (!confirmed) return;
+		const buildPreset = resolvePreset("build");
+		s.setMode({
+			workMode: buildPreset.workMode,
+			runControl: buildPreset.runControl,
+			modelMode: buildPreset.modelMode,
+			permissionProfile: buildPreset.permissionProfile,
+			reason: "ask-to-build-gate",
+		});
+		ctx.ui.notify("Switched to Build mode — starting autonomous execution.", "info");
+	}
 	// On a *fresh* start, drop any stale active-tool baseline left by a prior
 	// auto session that didn't run stopAuto cleanly.  Skip on resume: pauseAuto
 	// leaves the last provider-trimmed active tools in place, so clearing here