diff --git a/agents/status-reporter.md b/agents/status-reporter.md
index 2f99954..98f6081 100644
--- a/agents/status-reporter.md
+++ b/agents/status-reporter.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 name: status-reporter
-description: Read-only project-status engine — dispatched by /status. Collects plugin roster (cost audit deferred to /plugin-check), git state, build/tests, GSD milestone into one snapshot.
+description: Read-only project-status engine — dispatched by /status. Collects plugin roster + passive-cost estimate (doctor.sh constants), git state, build/tests, GSD milestone into one snapshot.
 tools: Read, Bash, Glob, Grep
 model: haiku
 ---
@@ -23,8 +23,12 @@ cat ~/.claude/lib/../version.txt 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown"  # lib symlink re
 command -v rtk &>/dev/null && echo "rtk: installed" || echo "rtk: missing"
 command -v gsd &>/dev/null && gsd --version 2>/dev/null | head -1 || echo "gsd: not installed"
 
-# Passive token cost: NOT computed here — no mechanical source exists.
-# The cost model lives in plugin-advisor; the report points to /plugin-check.
+# Passive token cost — source of truth: doctor.sh's constants block
+# (PLUGIN_TOKENS + <n> per detect_* line). Read it, sum ONLY the plugins
+# found active above. Never invent a number outside these constants.
+grep -E 'PLUGIN_TOKENS \+ [0-9]+' "$(readlink -f "$HOME/.claude/lib")/../doctor.sh" 2>/dev/null
+# grep empty (doctor.sh missing/moved) → report the plugin count only and
+# defer cost to /plugin-check.
 ```
 
 Check `~/.claude/plugins/cache` for active marketplace plugins.
@@ -134,7 +138,7 @@ PROJECT STATUS
 
 CONFIG
   Version   : v<N>
-  Plugins ON: <list> (<N> active — passive-cost audit: /plugin-check)
+  Plugins ON: <list> (~<X>t passive — doctor.sh constants; full audit → /plugin-check)
   GSD v2    : installed / not installed
 
 PROJECT
diff --git a/skills/status/SKILL.md b/skills/status/SKILL.md
index f598b74..04fdf9d 100644
--- a/skills/status/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/status/SKILL.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 name: status
-description: 'Consolidated project snapshot — plugins (passive-cost audit → /plugin-check), git state, recent commits, GSD v2 milestone progress. Read-only. Run at session start or after a break. Open-work reconciliation (stale TODO vs real git) → /reconcile. Triggers: "status", "sitrep", "where are we", "project state", "after break".'
+description: 'Consolidated project snapshot — plugins + passive token cost, git state, recent commits, GSD v2 milestone progress. Read-only. Run at session start or after a break. Open-work reconciliation (stale TODO vs real git) → /reconcile. Triggers: "status", "sitrep", "where are we", "project state", "after break".'
 argument-hint: (no arguments needed)
 allowed-tools: Read, Bash, Glob, Grep, Agent
 ---