diff --git a/internal/cmd/plugin.go b/internal/cmd/plugin.go
index 40bde4c0..5d3194a1 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/plugin.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/plugin.go
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ func runPluginRun(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		if duration == "" {
 			duration = "1h" // default
 		}
-		count, err := recorder.CountRunsSince(p.Name, duration)
+		count, err := recorder.CountSuccessfulRunsSince(p.Name, duration)
 		if err != nil {
 			// Log warning but continue
 			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Warning: checking gate status: %v\n", err)
@@ -433,13 +433,14 @@ func runPluginRun(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	fmt.Printf("%s\n", style.Bold.Render("Instructions:"))
 	fmt.Println(p.Instructions)
 
-	// Record the run
+	// Record the run as "skipped" - we only printed instructions, didn't execute
+	// Actual execution happens via Deacon patrol or an agent following the instructions
 	recorder := plugin.NewRecorder(townRoot)
 	beadID, err := recorder.RecordRun(plugin.PluginRunRecord{
 		PluginName: p.Name,
 		RigName:    p.RigName,
-		Result:     plugin.ResultSuccess, // Manual runs are marked success
-		Body:       "Manual run via gt plugin run",
+		Result:     plugin.ResultSkipped, // Instructions printed, not executed
+		Body:       "Manual run via gt plugin run (instructions printed, not executed)",
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Warning: failed to record run: %v\n", err)
diff --git a/internal/plugin/recording.go b/internal/plugin/recording.go
index 77af0dc5..cbe174d0 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/recording.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/recording.go
@@ -213,3 +213,19 @@ func (r *Recorder) CountRunsSince(pluginName string, since string) (int, error)
 	}
 	return len(runs), nil
 }
+
+// CountSuccessfulRunsSince returns the count of successful runs for a plugin since the given duration.
+// Only successful runs count for cooldown gate evaluation - skipped/failed runs don't reset the cooldown.
+func (r *Recorder) CountSuccessfulRunsSince(pluginName string, since string) (int, error) {
+	runs, err := r.GetRunsSince(pluginName, since)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	count := 0
+	for _, run := range runs {
+		if run.Result == ResultSuccess {
+			count++
+		}
+	}
+	return count, nil
+}