diff --git a/src/commands/list.ts b/src/commands/list.ts
index 8eab874..166aef3 100644
--- a/src/commands/list.ts
+++ b/src/commands/list.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { homedir } from "os"
 import * as git from "../git.ts"
 import * as vm from "../vm.ts"
 import * as state from "../state.ts"
-import { reset, dim, bold, green, yellow, cyan, white } from "../fmt.ts"
+import { reset, dim, bold, green, yellow, cyan, white, red } from "../fmt.ts"
 
 export async function action(opts: { json?: boolean }) {
   const root = await git.repoRoot()
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ export async function action(opts: { json?: boolean }) {
 
   if (sessions.length === 0) {
     console.log("◆ No active sessions.")
+    if ((await vm.status()) !== "running") {
+      console.log(`${red}VM is not running.${reset}`)
+    }
     return
   }
 
@@ -77,4 +80,8 @@ export async function action(opts: { json?: boolean }) {
   }
 
   console.log(`\n${dim}◯ idle${reset} · ${cyan}◎ active${reset} · ${yellow}◐ unsaved${reset} · ${green}● saved${reset}`)
+
+  if ((await vm.status()) !== "running") {
+    console.log(`${red}VM is not running.${reset}`)
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/fmt.ts b/src/fmt.ts
index 7a475db..2bafd68 100644
--- a/src/fmt.ts
+++ b/src/fmt.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ export const reset = "\x1b[0m"
 export const dim = "\x1b[2m"
 export const green = "\x1b[32m"
 export const yellow = "\x1b[33m"
+export const red = "\x1b[31m"
 export const cyan = "\x1b[36m"
 
 // ── Formatted output ────────────────────────────────────────────────