diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 91e7303d..45fc6568 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -180,6 +180,8 @@ Get up and running in under 2 minutes:
 
 > WARNING: **Important:** Claude Code plugins cannot distribute `rules` automatically. Install them manually:
 
+> If your local Claude setup was wiped or reset, that does not mean you need to repurchase ECC. Start with `ecc list-installed`, then run `ecc doctor` and `ecc repair` before reinstalling anything. That usually restores ECC-managed files without rebuilding your setup. If the problem is account or marketplace access for ECC Tools, handle billing/account recovery separately.
+
 ```bash
 # Clone the repo first
 git clone https://github.com/affaan-m/everything-claude-code.git
diff --git a/TROUBLESHOOTING.md b/TROUBLESHOOTING.md
index 4aed5eae..1681010f 100644
--- a/TROUBLESHOOTING.md
+++ b/TROUBLESHOOTING.md
@@ -245,9 +245,17 @@ tmux attach -t dev
 - Marketplace cache not updated
 - Claude Code version incompatibility
 - Corrupted plugin files
+- Local Claude setup was wiped or reset
 
 **Solutions:**
 ```bash
+# First inspect what ECC still knows about this machine
+ecc list-installed
+ecc doctor
+ecc repair
+
+# Only reinstall if doctor/repair cannot restore the missing files
+
 # Inspect the plugin cache before changing it
 ls -la ~/.claude/plugins/cache/
 
@@ -259,6 +267,8 @@ mkdir -p ~/.claude/plugins/cache
 # Claude Code → Extensions → Everything Claude Code → Uninstall
 # Then reinstall from marketplace
 
+# If the issue is marketplace/account access, use ECC Tools billing/account recovery separately; do not use reinstall as a proxy for account recovery
+
 # Check Claude Code version
 claude --version
 # Requires Claude Code 2.0+