diff --git a/pkg/cli/root.go b/pkg/cli/root.go
index f69f369d83..6de4283905 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/root.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/root.go
@@ -11,6 +11,13 @@ import (
 	"github.com/replicate/cog/pkg/util/console"
 )
 
+func init() {
+	// Allow child commands to define their own PersistentPreRun hooks
+	// without shadowing the root command's. Cobra will invoke them in
+	// order from root → child.
+	cobra.EnableTraverseRunHooks = true
+}
+
 func NewRootCommand() (*cobra.Command, error) {
 	rootCmd := cobra.Command{
 		Use:   "cog",
diff --git a/pkg/cli/weights.go b/pkg/cli/weights.go
index 15565341c4..de9c1941a4 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/weights.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/weights.go
@@ -20,10 +20,18 @@ import (
 
 func newWeightsCommand() *cobra.Command {
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{
-		Use:    "weights",
-		Short:  "Manage model weights",
-		Long:   "Commands for managing model weight files.",
+		Use:   "weights",
+		Short: "Manage model weights (experimental)",
+		Long: `Commands for managing model weight files.
+
+NOTE: cog weights is experimental. Behavior may change in future versions.
+Do not rely on it in production workflows.`,
 		Hidden: true,
+		PersistentPreRun: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
+			console.Warnf("NOTE: cog weights is experimental. Behavior may change in future versions.")
+			console.Warnf("Do not rely on it in production workflows.")
+			console.Info("")
+		},
 	}
 
 	cmd.AddCommand(newWeightsImportCommand())