diff --git a/src/honker/goose.py b/src/honker/goose.py
index e3316b2..a90df26 100644
--- a/src/honker/goose.py
+++ b/src/honker/goose.py
@@ -308,6 +308,7 @@ class GooseConnection:
 
     def __init__(self, cwd: str = ".", forward_thoughts: bool = False, auto_approve_tools: bool = False):
         self.cwd = cwd
+        self._auto_approve_tools = auto_approve_tools
         self.client = GooseClient(
             forward_thoughts=forward_thoughts,
             auto_approve_tools=auto_approve_tools,
@@ -358,6 +359,15 @@ class GooseConnection:
         session_id = resp.session_id
         self._sessions[key] = session_id
         log.info("Created new Goose session for %s: %s", key, session_id[:8])
+
+        # Set the approval mode based on config
+        mode = "auto" if self._auto_approve_tools else "approve"
+        try:
+            await self._conn.set_session_mode(mode_id=mode, session_id=session_id)
+            log.info("Set session mode to '%s' for %s [%s]", mode, key, session_id[:8])
+        except Exception:
+            log.exception("Failed to set session mode for %s", session_id[:8])
+
         return session_id
 
     async def close_session(self, key: str) -> bool: