diff --git a/executor_test.go b/executor_test.go
index 6e3ff3e1ec..65bac549d6 100644
--- a/executor_test.go
+++ b/executor_test.go
@@ -609,6 +609,130 @@ func TestPrecondition(t *testing.T) {
 	)
 }
 
+func TestGlobalPrecondition(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("global precondition met"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition"),
+		),
+		WithTask("passing"),
+	)
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("global precondition met - included task"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition"),
+		),
+		WithTask("inc:task"),
+	)
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("global precondition not met"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition_failing"),
+		),
+		WithTask("task"),
+		WithRunError(),
+	)
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("global precondition not met - included task unaffected without inherit"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition_failing"),
+		),
+		WithTask("inc:task"),
+	)
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("global precondition not met - task with own precondition"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition_failing"),
+		),
+		WithTask("task-with-own-precondition"),
+		WithRunError(),
+	)
+	// inherit: true
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("inherited precondition not met - root task fails"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition_inherit"),
+		),
+		WithTask("task"),
+		WithRunError(),
+	)
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("inherited precondition not met - included task fails"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition_inherit"),
+		),
+		WithTask("inc:task"),
+		WithRunError(),
+	)
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("skip_preconditions skips inherited precondition"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition_inherit"),
+		),
+		WithTask("inc:skip-task"),
+	)
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("skip_preconditions does not skip own file precondition"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition_inherit"),
+		),
+		WithTask("own:skip-task"),
+		WithRunError(),
+	)
+	// transitive inherit: root inherit:true reaches two levels deep
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("transitive inherit blocks direct include"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition_transitive"),
+		),
+		WithTask("mid:task"),
+		WithRunError(),
+	)
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("transitive inherit blocks two levels deep"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition_transitive"),
+		),
+		WithTask("mid:deep:task"),
+		WithRunError(),
+	)
+	// skip_preconditions on a root task: own-file preconditions still apply
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("skip_preconditions is a no-op on root tasks"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition_transitive"),
+		),
+		WithTask("skip-task"),
+		WithRunError(),
+	)
+	// mid-level inherit: an included file's inherit:true reaches its sub-includes
+	// but does NOT affect root tasks
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("mid-level inherit does not affect root tasks"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit"),
+		),
+		WithTask("task"),
+	)
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("mid-level inherit blocks own tasks"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit"),
+		),
+		WithTask("mid:task"),
+		WithRunError(),
+	)
+	NewExecutorTest(t,
+		WithName("mid-level inherit blocks sub-includes"),
+		WithExecutorOptions(
+			task.WithDir("testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit"),
+		),
+		WithTask("mid:deep:task"),
+		WithRunError(),
+	)
+}
+
 func TestAlias(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
diff --git a/taskfile/ast/graph.go b/taskfile/ast/graph.go
index cb30093d88..30a2082fda 100644
--- a/taskfile/ast/graph.go
+++ b/taskfile/ast/graph.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package ast
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
+	"slices"
 	"sync"
 
 	"github.com/dominikbraun/graph"
@@ -116,5 +117,25 @@ func (tfg *TaskfileGraph) Merge() (*Taskfile, error) {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	// Apply the root taskfile's global preconditions to all tasks.
+	// Root's own tasks (Namespace == "") always receive all root preconditions.
+	// Tasks from included files only receive preconditions marked inherit:true,
+	// and only when the task has not opted out via skip_preconditions.
+	if len(rootVertex.Taskfile.Preconditions) > 0 {
+		var inherited []*Precondition
+		for _, p := range rootVertex.Taskfile.Preconditions {
+			if p.Inherit {
+				inherited = append(inherited, p)
+			}
+		}
+		for task := range rootVertex.Taskfile.Tasks.Values(nil) {
+			if task.Namespace == "" {
+				task.Preconditions = slices.Concat(rootVertex.Taskfile.Preconditions, task.Preconditions)
+			} else if !task.SkipPreconditions && len(inherited) > 0 {
+				task.Preconditions = slices.Concat(inherited, task.Preconditions)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
 	return rootVertex.Taskfile, nil
 }
diff --git a/taskfile/ast/precondition.go b/taskfile/ast/precondition.go
index ea6682bb2a..546529166a 100644
--- a/taskfile/ast/precondition.go
+++ b/taskfile/ast/precondition.go
@@ -10,8 +10,9 @@ import (
 
 // Precondition represents a precondition necessary for a task to run
 type Precondition struct {
-	Sh  string
-	Msg string
+	Sh      string
+	Msg     string
+	Inherit bool
 }
 
 func (p *Precondition) DeepCopy() *Precondition {
@@ -19,8 +20,9 @@ func (p *Precondition) DeepCopy() *Precondition {
 		return nil
 	}
 	return &Precondition{
-		Sh:  p.Sh,
-		Msg: p.Msg,
+		Sh:      p.Sh,
+		Msg:     p.Msg,
+		Inherit: p.Inherit,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -39,14 +41,16 @@ func (p *Precondition) UnmarshalYAML(node *yaml.Node) error {
 
 	case yaml.MappingNode:
 		var sh struct {
-			Sh  string
-			Msg string
+			Sh      string
+			Msg     string
+			Inherit bool
 		}
 		if err := node.Decode(&sh); err != nil {
 			return errors.NewTaskfileDecodeError(err, node)
 		}
 		p.Sh = sh.Sh
 		p.Msg = sh.Msg
+		p.Inherit = sh.Inherit
 		if p.Msg == "" {
 			p.Msg = fmt.Sprintf("%s failed", sh.Sh)
 		}
diff --git a/taskfile/ast/task.go b/taskfile/ast/task.go
index 0e9893943e..877cca164f 100644
--- a/taskfile/ast/task.go
+++ b/taskfile/ast/task.go
@@ -13,37 +13,38 @@ import (
 
 // Task represents a task
 type Task struct {
-	Task          string `hash:"ignore"`
-	Cmds          []*Cmd
-	Deps          []*Dep
-	Label         string
-	Desc          string
-	Prompt        Prompt
-	Summary       string
-	Requires      *Requires
-	Aliases       []string
-	Sources       []*Glob
-	Generates     []*Glob
-	Status        []string
-	Preconditions []*Precondition
-	Dir           string
-	Set           []string
-	Shopt         []string
-	Vars          *Vars
-	Env           *Vars
-	Dotenv        []string
-	Silent        *bool
-	Interactive   bool
-	Internal      bool
-	Method        string
-	Prefix        string `hash:"ignore"`
-	IgnoreError   bool
-	Run           string
-	Platforms     []*Platform
-	If            string
-	Watch         bool
-	Location      *Location
-	Failfast      bool
+	Task              string `hash:"ignore"`
+	Cmds              []*Cmd
+	Deps              []*Dep
+	Label             string
+	Desc              string
+	Prompt            Prompt
+	Summary           string
+	Requires          *Requires
+	Aliases           []string
+	Sources           []*Glob
+	Generates         []*Glob
+	Status            []string
+	Preconditions     []*Precondition
+	Dir               string
+	Set               []string
+	Shopt             []string
+	Vars              *Vars
+	Env               *Vars
+	Dotenv            []string
+	Silent            *bool
+	Interactive       bool
+	Internal          bool
+	Method            string
+	Prefix            string `hash:"ignore"`
+	IgnoreError       bool
+	SkipPreconditions bool `yaml:"skip_preconditions"`
+	Run               string
+	Platforms         []*Platform
+	If                string
+	Watch             bool
+	Location          *Location
+	Failfast          bool
 	// Populated during merging
 	Namespace            string `hash:"ignore"`
 	IncludeVars          *Vars
@@ -126,36 +127,37 @@ func (t *Task) UnmarshalYAML(node *yaml.Node) error {
 	// Full task object
 	case yaml.MappingNode:
 		var task struct {
-			Cmds          []*Cmd
-			Cmd           *Cmd
-			Deps          []*Dep
-			Label         string
-			Desc          string
-			Prompt        Prompt
-			Summary       string
-			Aliases       []string
-			Sources       []*Glob
-			Generates     []*Glob
-			Status        []string
-			Preconditions []*Precondition
-			Dir           string
-			Set           []string
-			Shopt         []string
-			Vars          *Vars
-			Env           *Vars
-			Dotenv        []string
-			Silent        *bool `yaml:"silent,omitempty"`
-			Interactive   bool
-			Internal      bool
-			Method        string
-			Prefix        string
-			IgnoreError   bool `yaml:"ignore_error"`
-			Run           string
-			Platforms     []*Platform
-			If            string
-			Requires      *Requires
-			Watch         bool
-			Failfast      bool
+			Cmds              []*Cmd
+			Cmd               *Cmd
+			Deps              []*Dep
+			Label             string
+			Desc              string
+			Prompt            Prompt
+			Summary           string
+			Aliases           []string
+			Sources           []*Glob
+			Generates         []*Glob
+			Status            []string
+			Preconditions     []*Precondition
+			Dir               string
+			Set               []string
+			Shopt             []string
+			Vars              *Vars
+			Env               *Vars
+			Dotenv            []string
+			Silent            *bool `yaml:"silent,omitempty"`
+			Interactive       bool
+			Internal          bool
+			Method            string
+			Prefix            string
+			IgnoreError       bool `yaml:"ignore_error"`
+			SkipPreconditions bool `yaml:"skip_preconditions"`
+			Run               string
+			Platforms         []*Platform
+			If                string
+			Requires          *Requires
+			Watch             bool
+			Failfast          bool
 		}
 		if err := node.Decode(&task); err != nil {
 			return errors.NewTaskfileDecodeError(err, node)
@@ -190,6 +192,7 @@ func (t *Task) UnmarshalYAML(node *yaml.Node) error {
 		t.Method = task.Method
 		t.Prefix = task.Prefix
 		t.IgnoreError = task.IgnoreError
+		t.SkipPreconditions = task.SkipPreconditions
 		t.Run = task.Run
 		t.Platforms = task.Platforms
 		t.If = task.If
@@ -233,6 +236,7 @@ func (t *Task) DeepCopy() *Task {
 		Method:               t.Method,
 		Prefix:               t.Prefix,
 		IgnoreError:          t.IgnoreError,
+		SkipPreconditions:    t.SkipPreconditions,
 		Run:                  t.Run,
 		IncludeVars:          t.IncludeVars.DeepCopy(),
 		IncludedTaskfileVars: t.IncludedTaskfileVars.DeepCopy(),
diff --git a/taskfile/ast/taskfile.go b/taskfile/ast/taskfile.go
index 4e3a3e4255..c49d725aac 100644
--- a/taskfile/ast/taskfile.go
+++ b/taskfile/ast/taskfile.go
@@ -20,20 +20,21 @@ var ErrIncludedTaskfilesCantHaveDotenvs = errors.New("task: Included Taskfiles c
 
 // Taskfile is the abstract syntax tree for a Taskfile
 type Taskfile struct {
-	Location string
-	Version  *semver.Version
-	Output   Output
-	Method   string
-	Includes *Includes
-	Set      []string
-	Shopt    []string
-	Vars     *Vars
-	Env      *Vars
-	Tasks    *Tasks
-	Silent   bool
-	Dotenv   []string
-	Run      string
-	Interval time.Duration
+	Location      string
+	Version       *semver.Version
+	Output        Output
+	Method        string
+	Includes      *Includes
+	Set           []string
+	Shopt         []string
+	Vars          *Vars
+	Env           *Vars
+	Tasks         *Tasks
+	Silent        bool
+	Dotenv        []string
+	Run           string
+	Interval      time.Duration
+	Preconditions []*Precondition
 }
 
 // Merge merges the second Taskfile into the first
@@ -69,26 +70,27 @@ func (t1 *Taskfile) Merge(t2 *Taskfile, include *Include) error {
 	}
 	t1.Vars.Merge(t2.Vars, include)
 	t1.Env.Merge(t2.Env, include)
-	return t1.Tasks.Merge(t2.Tasks, include, t1.Vars)
+	return t1.Tasks.Merge(t2.Tasks, include, t1.Vars, t2.Preconditions)
 }
 
 func (tf *Taskfile) UnmarshalYAML(node *yaml.Node) error {
 	switch node.Kind {
 	case yaml.MappingNode:
 		var taskfile struct {
-			Version  *semver.Version
-			Output   Output
-			Method   string
-			Includes *Includes
-			Set      []string
-			Shopt    []string
-			Vars     *Vars
-			Env      *Vars
-			Tasks    *Tasks
-			Silent   bool
-			Dotenv   []string
-			Run      string
-			Interval time.Duration
+			Version       *semver.Version
+			Output        Output
+			Method        string
+			Includes      *Includes
+			Set           []string
+			Shopt         []string
+			Vars          *Vars
+			Env           *Vars
+			Tasks         *Tasks
+			Silent        bool
+			Dotenv        []string
+			Run           string
+			Interval      time.Duration
+			Preconditions []*Precondition
 		}
 		if err := node.Decode(&taskfile); err != nil {
 			return errors.NewTaskfileDecodeError(err, node)
@@ -106,6 +108,7 @@ func (tf *Taskfile) UnmarshalYAML(node *yaml.Node) error {
 		tf.Dotenv = taskfile.Dotenv
 		tf.Run = taskfile.Run
 		tf.Interval = taskfile.Interval
+		tf.Preconditions = taskfile.Preconditions
 		if tf.Includes == nil {
 			tf.Includes = NewIncludes()
 		}
diff --git a/taskfile/ast/tasks.go b/taskfile/ast/tasks.go
index 62aa53a6b4..188114c3b5 100644
--- a/taskfile/ast/tasks.go
+++ b/taskfile/ast/tasks.go
@@ -118,13 +118,29 @@ func (t *Tasks) Values(sorter sort.Sorter) iter.Seq[*Task] {
 	}
 }
 
-func (t1 *Tasks) Merge(t2 *Tasks, include *Include, includedTaskfileVars *Vars) error {
+func (t1 *Tasks) Merge(t2 *Tasks, include *Include, includedTaskfileVars *Vars, globalPreconditions []*Precondition) error {
 	defer t2.mutex.RUnlock()
 	t2.mutex.RLock()
 	for name, v := range t2.All(nil) {
 		// We do a deep copy of the task struct here to ensure that no data can
 		// be changed elsewhere once the taskfile is merged.
 		task := v.DeepCopy()
+		// Inject global preconditions from the included taskfile.
+		// Tasks native to t2 (Namespace == "") always receive all of t2's global
+		// preconditions. Tasks from t2's own transitive includes (Namespace != "")
+		// only receive preconditions marked inherit:true, and only when the task
+		// has not opted out via skip_preconditions.
+		if task.Namespace == "" {
+			task.Preconditions = slices.Concat(globalPreconditions, task.Preconditions)
+		} else if !task.SkipPreconditions {
+			var inherited []*Precondition
+			for _, p := range globalPreconditions {
+				if p.Inherit {
+					inherited = append(inherited, p)
+				}
+			}
+			task.Preconditions = slices.Concat(inherited, task.Preconditions)
+		}
 		// Set the task to internal if EITHER the included task or the included
 		// taskfile are marked as internal
 		task.Internal = task.Internal || (include != nil && include.Internal)
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition/Taskfile.yml b/testdata/global_precondition/Taskfile.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..51768ad10a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition/Taskfile.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+version: '3'
+
+preconditions:
+  - sh: "[ 1 = 1 ]"
+    msg: "global precondition met"
+
+includes:
+  inc: ./included
+
+tasks:
+  passing:
+    cmds:
+      - echo "ran passing"
+
+  failing:
+    cmds:
+      - echo "ran failing"
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition/included/Taskfile.yml b/testdata/global_precondition/included/Taskfile.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2d3b6099a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition/included/Taskfile.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+version: '3'
+
+tasks:
+  task:
+    cmds:
+      - echo "ran included task"
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_met.golden b/testdata/global_precondition/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_met.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..34ba3ec32e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_met.golden
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+task: [passing] echo "ran passing"
+ran passing
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_met_-_included_task.golden b/testdata/global_precondition/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_met_-_included_task.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ba1720bf6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_met_-_included_task.golden
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+task: [inc:task] echo "ran included task"
+ran included task
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_failing/Taskfile.yml b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/Taskfile.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..73ab1a9ef9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/Taskfile.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+version: '3'
+
+preconditions:
+  - sh: "[ 1 = 0 ]"
+    msg: "global precondition failed"
+
+includes:
+  inc: ./included
+
+tasks:
+  task:
+    cmds:
+      - echo "should not run"
+
+  task-with-own-precondition:
+    preconditions:
+      - sh: "[ 1 = 1 ]"
+        msg: "own precondition"
+    cmds:
+      - echo "should not run either"
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_failing/included/Taskfile.yml b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/included/Taskfile.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9d0dcf14e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/included/Taskfile.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+version: '3'
+
+tasks:
+  task:
+    cmds:
+      - echo "should not run"
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met-err-run.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met-err-run.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bbfbd18c53
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met-err-run.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: Failed to run task "task": task: precondition not met
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..259c7301cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: global precondition failed
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met_-_included_task_unaffected_without_inherit.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met_-_included_task_unaffected_without_inherit.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..241ad20710
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met_-_included_task_unaffected_without_inherit.golden
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+task: [inc:task] echo "should not run"
+should not run
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met_-_task_with_own_precondition-err-run.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met_-_task_with_own_precondition-err-run.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bd7b34a852
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met_-_task_with_own_precondition-err-run.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: Failed to run task "task-with-own-precondition": task: precondition not met
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met_-_task_with_own_precondition.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met_-_task_with_own_precondition.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..259c7301cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_failing/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-global_precondition_not_met_-_task_with_own_precondition.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: global precondition failed
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/Taskfile.yml b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/Taskfile.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..806463652f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/Taskfile.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+version: '3'
+
+preconditions:
+  - sh: "[ 1 = 0 ]"
+    msg: "inherited precondition failed"
+    inherit: true
+
+includes:
+  inc: ./included
+  own: ./included_with_own
+
+tasks:
+  task:
+    cmds:
+      - echo "should not run"
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/included/Taskfile.yml b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/included/Taskfile.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3f17a12430
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/included/Taskfile.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+version: '3'
+
+tasks:
+  task:
+    cmds:
+      - echo "should not run - blocked by inherited precondition"
+
+  skip-task:
+    skip_preconditions: true
+    cmds:
+      - echo "ran skip-task"
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/included_with_own/Taskfile.yml b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/included_with_own/Taskfile.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1d17c96b86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/included_with_own/Taskfile.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+version: '3'
+
+preconditions:
+  - sh: "[ 1 = 0 ]"
+    msg: "own file precondition failed"
+
+tasks:
+  skip-task:
+    skip_preconditions: true
+    cmds:
+      - echo "should not run - own file precondition still applies"
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-inherited_precondition_not_met_-_included_task_fails-err-run.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-inherited_precondition_not_met_-_included_task_fails-err-run.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..06be420d05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-inherited_precondition_not_met_-_included_task_fails-err-run.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: Failed to run task "inc:task": task: precondition not met
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-inherited_precondition_not_met_-_included_task_fails.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-inherited_precondition_not_met_-_included_task_fails.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4b259f3491
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-inherited_precondition_not_met_-_included_task_fails.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: inherited precondition failed
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-inherited_precondition_not_met_-_root_task_fails-err-run.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-inherited_precondition_not_met_-_root_task_fails-err-run.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bbfbd18c53
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-inherited_precondition_not_met_-_root_task_fails-err-run.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: Failed to run task "task": task: precondition not met
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-inherited_precondition_not_met_-_root_task_fails.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-inherited_precondition_not_met_-_root_task_fails.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4b259f3491
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-inherited_precondition_not_met_-_root_task_fails.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: inherited precondition failed
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_does_not_skip_own_file_precondition-err-run.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_does_not_skip_own_file_precondition-err-run.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3349fd042d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_does_not_skip_own_file_precondition-err-run.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: Failed to run task "own:skip-task": task: precondition not met
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_does_not_skip_own_file_precondition.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_does_not_skip_own_file_precondition.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9602c3f44c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_does_not_skip_own_file_precondition.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: own file precondition failed
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_skips_inherited_precondition.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_skips_inherited_precondition.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..cd65d47cea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_skips_inherited_precondition.golden
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+task: [inc:skip-task] echo "ran skip-task"
+ran skip-task
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/Taskfile.yml b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/Taskfile.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..22577d8152
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/Taskfile.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+version: '3'
+
+includes:
+  mid: ./mid
+
+tasks:
+  task:
+    cmds:
+      - echo "ran root task"
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/mid/Taskfile.yml b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/mid/Taskfile.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3da3052867
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/mid/Taskfile.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+version: '3'
+
+preconditions:
+  - sh: "[ 1 = 0 ]"
+    msg: "mid precondition failed"
+    inherit: true
+
+includes:
+  deep: ./deep
+
+tasks:
+  task:
+    cmds:
+      - echo "should not run"
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/mid/deep/Taskfile.yml b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/mid/deep/Taskfile.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9d0dcf14e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/mid/deep/Taskfile.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+version: '3'
+
+tasks:
+  task:
+    cmds:
+      - echo "should not run"
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_blocks_own_tasks-err-run.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_blocks_own_tasks-err-run.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7fa18ee0ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_blocks_own_tasks-err-run.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: Failed to run task "mid:task": task: precondition not met
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_blocks_own_tasks.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_blocks_own_tasks.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6e1e22af04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_blocks_own_tasks.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: mid precondition failed
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_blocks_sub-includes-err-run.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_blocks_sub-includes-err-run.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2472e56e99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_blocks_sub-includes-err-run.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: Failed to run task "mid:deep:task": task: precondition not met
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_blocks_sub-includes.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_blocks_sub-includes.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6e1e22af04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_blocks_sub-includes.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: mid precondition failed
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_does_not_affect_root_tasks.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_does_not_affect_root_tasks.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7efb6d3b70
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_mid_inherit/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-mid-level_inherit_does_not_affect_root_tasks.golden
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+task: [task] echo "ran root task"
+ran root task
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/Taskfile.yml b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/Taskfile.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..957ef99631
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/Taskfile.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+version: '3'
+
+preconditions:
+  - sh: "[ 1 = 0 ]"
+    msg: "root precondition failed"
+    inherit: true
+
+includes:
+  mid: ./mid
+
+tasks:
+  task:
+    cmds:
+      - echo "should not run"
+
+  skip-task:
+    skip_preconditions: true
+    cmds:
+      - echo "should not run - skip_preconditions has no effect on root tasks"
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/mid/Taskfile.yml b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/mid/Taskfile.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2c3d746bd7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/mid/Taskfile.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+version: '3'
+
+includes:
+  deep: ./deep
+
+tasks:
+  task:
+    cmds:
+      - echo "should not run"
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/mid/deep/Taskfile.yml b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/mid/deep/Taskfile.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9d0dcf14e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/mid/deep/Taskfile.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+version: '3'
+
+tasks:
+  task:
+    cmds:
+      - echo "should not run"
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_is_a_no-op_on_root_tasks-err-run.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_is_a_no-op_on_root_tasks-err-run.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..92c9a4bb69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_is_a_no-op_on_root_tasks-err-run.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: Failed to run task "skip-task": task: precondition not met
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_is_a_no-op_on_root_tasks.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_is_a_no-op_on_root_tasks.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0904701bcb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-skip_preconditions_is_a_no-op_on_root_tasks.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: root precondition failed
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-transitive_inherit_blocks_direct_include-err-run.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-transitive_inherit_blocks_direct_include-err-run.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7fa18ee0ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-transitive_inherit_blocks_direct_include-err-run.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: Failed to run task "mid:task": task: precondition not met
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-transitive_inherit_blocks_direct_include.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-transitive_inherit_blocks_direct_include.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0904701bcb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-transitive_inherit_blocks_direct_include.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: root precondition failed
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-transitive_inherit_blocks_two_levels_deep-err-run.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-transitive_inherit_blocks_two_levels_deep-err-run.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2472e56e99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-transitive_inherit_blocks_two_levels_deep-err-run.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: Failed to run task "mid:deep:task": task: precondition not met
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-transitive_inherit_blocks_two_levels_deep.golden b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-transitive_inherit_blocks_two_levels_deep.golden
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0904701bcb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/global_precondition_transitive/testdata/TestGlobalPrecondition-transitive_inherit_blocks_two_levels_deep.golden
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+task: root precondition failed
diff --git a/website/src/docs/guide.md b/website/src/docs/guide.md
index 6c3eb912bf..f37e237a52 100644
--- a/website/src/docs/guide.md
+++ b/website/src/docs/guide.md
@@ -1020,6 +1020,70 @@ tasks:
       - echo "I will not run"
 ```
 
+### Global preconditions
+
+You can define preconditions at the Taskfile level that apply to every task in
+that file. This is useful for enforcing file-wide requirements without repeating
+the check on every task.
+
+```yaml
+version: '3'
+
+preconditions:
+  - sh: test -f .env
+    msg: "Missing .env file. Run 'task init' to set up the project."
+
+tasks:
+  build:
+    cmds:
+      - go build ./...
+
+  test:
+    cmds:
+      - go test ./...
+```
+
+Global preconditions are checked before the task's own preconditions.
+
+#### Inheriting preconditions into included Taskfiles
+
+By default, global preconditions are scoped to the file they are defined in and
+do not affect tasks in included Taskfiles. To propagate a precondition into
+included files, set `inherit: true`:
+
+```yaml
+version: '3'
+
+preconditions:
+  - sh: test -f .env
+    msg: "Missing .env file. Run 'task init' to set up the project."
+    inherit: true   # also applies to tasks in included Taskfiles
+
+includes:
+  tools: ./tools
+```
+
+Inherited preconditions propagate transitively through the include hierarchy.
+
+#### Skipping inherited preconditions
+
+A task can opt out of inherited preconditions with `skip_preconditions: true`.
+This only skips preconditions inherited from parent Taskfiles — global
+preconditions defined in the same file as the task still apply.
+
+```yaml
+# tools/Taskfile.yml
+preconditions:
+  - sh: test -f tools.lock
+    msg: "Run 'task tools:init' first"
+
+tasks:
+  init:
+    skip_preconditions: true  # skips parent's inherited preconditions
+    cmds:                     # but tools.lock check still applies
+      - touch tools.lock
+```
+
 ### Conditional execution with `if`
 
 The `if` attribute allows you to conditionally skip tasks or commands based on a
diff --git a/website/src/docs/reference/schema.md b/website/src/docs/reference/schema.md
index f70f336bcf..7800d2e69c 100644
--- a/website/src/docs/reference/schema.md
+++ b/website/src/docs/reference/schema.md
@@ -187,6 +187,22 @@ run: once
 interval: 1s
 ```
 
+### [`preconditions`](#precondition)
+
+- **Type**: `[]Precondition`
+- **Description**: Global preconditions that must be met before running any task
+  in this file. Prepended to each task's own preconditions. Preconditions with
+  `inherit: true` also apply to tasks in included Taskfiles.
+
+```yaml
+preconditions:
+  - sh: '[ "$USER" != "root" ]'
+    msg: "Don't run as root"
+    inherit: true
+  - sh: test -f .env
+    msg: "Run 'task init' first"
+```
+
 ### `set`
 
 - **Type**: `[]string`
@@ -698,6 +714,22 @@ tasks:
 See [Prompting for missing variables interactively](/docs/guide#prompting-for-missing-variables-interactively)
 for information on enabling interactive prompts for missing required variables.
 
+#### `skip_preconditions`
+
+- **Type**: `bool`
+- **Default**: `false`
+- **Description**: When `true`, the task will not receive preconditions inherited
+  from parent Taskfiles (via `inherit: true`). Global preconditions defined in
+  the same file as the task still apply.
+
+```yaml
+tasks:
+  init:
+    skip_preconditions: true  # skips parent's inherited preconditions
+    cmds:
+      - cp .env.template .env
+```
+
 #### `watch`
 
 - **Type**: `bool`
@@ -921,3 +953,37 @@ tasks:
         # Command level
         shopt: [globstar]
 ```
+
+## Precondition
+
+A precondition is a shell command that must exit 0 before a task (or any task,
+when used at the taskfile level) is allowed to run.
+
+### `sh`
+
+- **Type**: `string`
+- **Description**: Shell command to run as the precondition check
+
+### `msg`
+
+- **Type**: `string`
+- **Description**: Message to display when the precondition is not met
+
+### `inherit`
+
+- **Type**: `bool`
+- **Default**: `false`
+- **Description**: When `true` and the precondition is defined at the taskfile
+  level, it propagates to tasks in included Taskfiles. Has no effect on
+  task-level preconditions.
+
+```yaml
+preconditions:
+  # Shorthand (no msg or inherit)
+  - test -f .env
+
+  # Full form
+  - sh: '[ "$USER" != "root" ]'
+    msg: "Don't run as root"
+    inherit: true
+```
diff --git a/website/src/public/schema.json b/website/src/public/schema.json
index 28ae66110b..85ae99bc5c 100644
--- a/website/src/public/schema.json
+++ b/website/src/public/schema.json
@@ -210,6 +210,11 @@
           "description": "When running tasks in parallel, stop all tasks if one fails.",
           "type": "boolean",
           "default": false
+        },
+        "skip_preconditions": {
+          "description": "When true, the task will not receive preconditions inherited from parent Taskfiles. Global preconditions defined in the same file as the task still apply.",
+          "type": "boolean",
+          "default": false
         }
       }
     },
@@ -565,6 +570,11 @@
         "msg": {
           "description": "Failure message to display when the condition fails",
           "type": "string"
+        },
+        "inherit": {
+          "description": "When true and defined at the taskfile level, this precondition also applies to tasks in included Taskfiles.",
+          "type": "boolean",
+          "default": false
         }
       },
       "additionalProperties": false
@@ -780,6 +790,13 @@
           "description": "Sets a different watch interval when using `--watch`, the default being 100 milliseconds. This string should be a valid Go duration: https://pkg.go.dev/time#ParseDuration.",
           "type": "string",
           "pattern": "^[0-9]+(?:m|s|ms)$"
+        },
+        "preconditions": {
+          "description": "Global preconditions that must be met before running any task. Prepended to each task's own preconditions and inherited by tasks in included Taskfiles.",
+          "type": "array",
+          "items": {
+            "$ref": "#/definitions/precondition"
+          }
         }
       },
       "additionalProperties": false,