diff --git a/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd.py b/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd.py
index 9d1c744c53cf7..968b775191ea3 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd.py
@@ -1076,6 +1076,32 @@ def _is_portable_plugin_dir(dir_path) -> bool:
         return False
 
 
+# Manifest kinds that are active-by-default when bundled: backends auto-load,
+# platforms register lazily but are available out of the box, model providers
+# run through providers/ discovery (see PluginManager.discover_and_load).
+_BUNDLED_DEFAULT_ON_KINDS = frozenset({"backend", "platform", "model-provider"})
+
+
+def _bundled_default_on(dir_path) -> bool:
+    """True when a bundled plugin at *dir_path* is active without an explicit
+    ``plugins.enabled`` entry. Standalone/exclusive kinds stay opt-in, and
+    portable packages (``plugin.json``) have no kind at all."""
+    manifest_file = Path(dir_path) / "plugin.yaml"
+    if not manifest_file.exists():
+        manifest_file = Path(dir_path) / "plugin.yml"
+    if not manifest_file.exists():
+        return False
+    try:
+        import yaml
+
+        with open(manifest_file, encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            manifest = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
+        kind = str(manifest.get("kind", "standalone")).strip().lower()
+        return kind in _BUNDLED_DEFAULT_ON_KINDS
+    except Exception:
+        return False
+
+
 def _scan_level(
     base: Path,
     source: str,
diff --git a/tui_gateway/methods_tools.py b/tui_gateway/methods_tools.py
index 4012116b30941..dc12130c6fd30 100644
--- a/tui_gateway/methods_tools.py
+++ b/tui_gateway/methods_tools.py
@@ -1811,6 +1811,7 @@ def _(rid, params: dict) -> dict:
     action = params.get("action", "list")
     try:
         from hermes_cli.plugins_cmd import (
+            _bundled_default_on,
             _discover_all_plugins,
             _get_disabled_set,
             _get_enabled_set,
@@ -1825,6 +1826,17 @@ def _(rid, params: dict) -> dict:
             for name, version, desc, source, _dir, key in sorted(
                 _discover_all_plugins()
             ):
+                status = _plugin_status(name, enabled, disabled, key=key)
+                # Bundled backends/platforms/providers are active without an
+                # explicit enable (they "just work" — plugins.py). Reporting
+                # them "not enabled" reads as OFF in clients when they are in
+                # fact running; surface the truthful default instead.
+                if (
+                    status == "not enabled"
+                    and source == "bundled"
+                    and _bundled_default_on(_dir)
+                ):
+                    status = "enabled"
                 out.append(
                     {
                         "name": name,
@@ -1835,7 +1847,7 @@ def _(rid, params: dict) -> dict:
                         "version": str(version or ""),
                         "description": desc or "",
                         "source": source,
-                        "status": _plugin_status(name, enabled, disabled, key=key),
+                        "status": status,
                         # Agent Plugins v1 package (plugin.json — the portable
                         # skills/MCP format) vs a native Hermes plugin.
                         "portable": _is_portable_plugin_dir(_dir),