diff --git a/scripts/install-dirigent-openclaw.mjs b/scripts/install-dirigent-openclaw.mjs
index 7669627..18aeb88 100755
--- a/scripts/install-dirigent-openclaw.mjs
+++ b/scripts/install-dirigent-openclaw.mjs
@@ -232,14 +232,21 @@ function clone(v) {
   return JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(v));
 }
 
+function isDirigentRegistered() {
+  const entry = getJson(PATH_PLUGIN_ENTRY);
+  return !!(entry && typeof entry === "object");
+}
+
 // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
 // INSTALL
 // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
 if (mode === "install") {
-  // Check if already installed - if so, uninstall first
+  // Check if plugin is already registered in config.
+  // Prefer record-based uninstall when record exists; otherwise continue with in-place overwrite.
+  const registered = isDirigentRegistered();
   const existingRecord = findLatestInstallRecord();
-  if (existingRecord) {
-    console.log("[dirigent] existing installation detected, uninstalling first...");
+  if (registered && existingRecord) {
+    console.log("[dirigent] existing plugin registration detected (with install record), uninstalling first...");
     process.env.RECORD_FILE = existingRecord;
     const result = spawnSync(process.execPath, [import.meta.filename, "--uninstall"], {
       env: { ...process.env, OPENCLAW_DIR },
@@ -250,6 +257,8 @@ if (mode === "install") {
       process.exit(1);
     }
     console.log("[dirigent] previous installation removed, proceeding with fresh install...");
+  } else if (registered) {
+    console.log("[dirigent] existing plugin registration detected (no install record). Proceeding with in-place reinstall...");
   }
 
   // 1. Build dist