diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e9b3007..b7a1c6a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ git -C <repo> worktree remove --force <path>
 git -C <repo> worktree prune
 ```
 
-This only cleans stale Git worktree metadata, such as records left after a worktree directory was removed manually. It does not remove branches.
+This only cleans stale Git worktree metadata, such as records left after a worktree directory was removed manually. By itself, `--prune` does not inspect or remove active linked worktrees. It does not remove branches.
 
 ## Help
 
diff --git a/internal/wtclean/app.go b/internal/wtclean/app.go
index aeccea0..ea8dcbd 100644
--- a/internal/wtclean/app.go
+++ b/internal/wtclean/app.go
@@ -98,20 +98,24 @@ func (a *App) processRepo(ctx context.Context, opts Options, repo string, summar
 		return
 	}
 
-	paths, err := a.listLinkedWorktreePaths(ctx, repo)
-	if err != nil {
-		summary.Failed++
-		writef(a.stderr, "git wtclean: failed to list worktrees: %s: %v\n", repo, err)
-		return
-	}
+	// In pure prune mode (--prune without a delete option), only clean stale
+	// worktree metadata and skip listing active worktrees.
+	if opts.DeleteMode != "" || !opts.Prune {
+		paths, err := a.listLinkedWorktreePaths(ctx, repo)
+		if err != nil {
+			summary.Failed++
+			writef(a.stderr, "git wtclean: failed to list worktrees: %s: %v\n", repo, err)
+			return
+		}
 
-	for _, path := range paths {
-		summary.Found++
-		if opts.DeleteMode == "" {
-			writef(a.stdout, "Would remove: %s\n", path)
-			continue
+		for _, path := range paths {
+			summary.Found++
+			if opts.DeleteMode == "" {
+				writef(a.stdout, "Would remove: %s\n", path)
+				continue
+			}
+			a.removeWorktree(ctx, opts, repo, path, summary)
 		}
-		a.removeWorktree(ctx, opts, repo, path, summary)
 	}
 
 	if opts.Prune {
@@ -182,7 +186,7 @@ func (a *App) pruneRepo(ctx context.Context, opts Options, repo string, summary
 func (a *App) printSummary(opts Options, summary Summary) {
 	if opts.DeleteMode == "" {
 		if opts.Prune {
-			writef(a.stdout, "Done. found=%d prune_checked=%d failed=%d\n", summary.Found, summary.PruneChecked, summary.Failed)
+			writef(a.stdout, "Done. prune_checked=%d failed=%d\n", summary.PruneChecked, summary.Failed)
 			return
 		}
 		writef(a.stdout, "Dry run. found=%d. Run %s to remove, or %s to force remove.\n", summary.Found, "'git wtclean -d'", "'git wtclean -D'")
diff --git a/internal/wtclean/app_test.go b/internal/wtclean/app_test.go
index e11e1e4..867cafc 100644
--- a/internal/wtclean/app_test.go
+++ b/internal/wtclean/app_test.go
@@ -107,9 +107,7 @@ func TestRunPruneQuietByDefault(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	want := strings.Join([]string{
-		"Would remove: /tmp/repo1/.wt/feature-a",
-		"Would remove: /tmp/repo2/.wt/feature-b",
-		"Done. found=2 prune_checked=2 failed=0",
+		"Done. prune_checked=2 failed=0",
 		"",
 	}, "\n")
 	if stdout.String() != want {
@@ -119,6 +117,10 @@ func TestRunPruneQuietByDefault(t *testing.T) {
 	if got := runner.callsContaining("worktree prune"); len(got) != 2 {
 		t.Fatalf("prune call count = %d, want 2: %#v", len(got), got)
 	}
+
+	if got := runner.callsContaining("worktree list"); len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("worktree list calls = %#v, want none", got)
+	}
 }
 
 func TestRunPruneVerbosePrintsRepositories(t *testing.T) {
@@ -131,11 +133,9 @@ func TestRunPruneVerbosePrintsRepositories(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	want := strings.Join([]string{
-		"Would remove: /tmp/repo1/.wt/feature-a",
 		"Pruning: /tmp/repo1",
-		"Would remove: /tmp/repo2/.wt/feature-b",
 		"Pruning: /tmp/repo2",
-		"Done. found=2 prune_checked=2 failed=0",
+		"Done. prune_checked=2 failed=0",
 		"",
 	}, "\n")
 	if stdout.String() != want {