diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index db2a987..d183f38 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -935,10 +935,11 @@ export PLUMBER_NO_UPDATE_CHECK=1
 
 ### Exit Codes
 
-| Code | Meaning |
-|------|---------|
-| `0` | Compliance ≥ threshold |
-| `1` | Compliance < threshold or error |
+| Exit Code | Meaning |
+|-----------|----------|
+| `0` | Analysis passed (compliance ≥ threshold) |
+| `1` | Compliance failure (compliance < threshold) |
+| `2` | Runtime error (config error, network failure, missing token, etc.) |
 
 ### `plumber config generate`
 
diff --git a/cmd/analyze.go b/cmd/analyze.go
index f3ceb43..c76900b 100644
--- a/cmd/analyze.go
+++ b/cmd/analyze.go
@@ -69,7 +69,8 @@ Optional flags:
 
 Exit codes:
   0  Analysis passed (compliance >= threshold)
-  1  Analysis failed (compliance < threshold or error occurred)
+  1  Compliance failure (compliance < threshold)
+  2  Runtime error (configuration error, network failure, missing token, etc.)
 
 Examples:
   # Set token via environment variable
@@ -403,7 +404,7 @@ func runAnalyze(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 
 	// Check compliance against threshold
 	if compliance < threshold {
-		return fmt.Errorf("compliance %.1f%% is below threshold %.1f%%", compliance, threshold)
+		return &ComplianceError{Compliance: compliance, Threshold: threshold}
 	}
 
 	return nil
diff --git a/cmd/errors.go b/cmd/errors.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d439caa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/errors.go
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+package cmd
+
+import "fmt"
+
+// ComplianceError is returned when analysis completes successfully but the
+// measured compliance score falls below the required threshold.
+//
+// It is distinct from a generic runtime error so that callers (e.g. Execute)
+// can map it to a dedicated exit code:
+//
+//	0 – analysis passed (compliance ≥ threshold)
+//	1 – compliance failure (compliance < threshold)
+//	2 – runtime / configuration error
+type ComplianceError struct {
+	Compliance float64
+	Threshold  float64
+}
+
+func (e *ComplianceError) Error() string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("compliance %.1f%% is below threshold %.1f%%", e.Compliance, e.Threshold)
+}
diff --git a/cmd/root.go b/cmd/root.go
index 6419569..3b5fe9a 100644
--- a/cmd/root.go
+++ b/cmd/root.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package cmd
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"time"
@@ -48,7 +49,11 @@ func Execute() {
 	}
 
 	if err != nil {
-		os.Exit(1)
+		var complianceErr *ComplianceError
+		if errors.As(err, &complianceErr) {
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+		os.Exit(2)
 	}
 }