diff --git a/inventory/hosts.yml b/inventory/hosts.yml
index 0a140cc..92b91fb 100644
--- a/inventory/hosts.yml
+++ b/inventory/hosts.yml
@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ all:
       ansible_user: sam
       ansible_ssh_pass: Lewiss4224@@@
       ansible_become_pass: Lewiss4224@@@
+      # Portainer host — already in Portainer via local socket (ID=3).
+      # Skip agent deployment; connecting via agent would be redundant.
+      portainer_skip_agent: true
 
     ubuntu-server-02:
       ansible_host: 10.40.40.3
diff --git a/playbooks/find_docker_enroll_portainer.yml b/playbooks/find_docker_enroll_portainer.yml
index 2abd6ef..8668cac 100644
--- a/playbooks/find_docker_enroll_portainer.yml
+++ b/playbooks/find_docker_enroll_portainer.yml
@@ -96,6 +96,10 @@
       ansible.builtin.meta: end_host
       when: not (docker_running | default(false))
 
+    - name: Skip hosts that are already managed by Portainer directly
+      ansible.builtin.meta: end_host
+      when: portainer_skip_agent | default(false)
+
     - name: Check if portainer_agent container already exists
       ansible.builtin.command: >
         docker ps -a --filter name=portainer_agent --format "{% raw %}{{.Status}}{% endraw %}"
@@ -157,6 +161,10 @@
       ansible.builtin.meta: end_host
       when: not (docker_running | default(false))
 
+    - name: Skip hosts managed by Portainer directly (no agent needed)
+      ansible.builtin.meta: end_host
+      when: portainer_skip_agent | default(false)
+
     - name: Check if endpoint already exists in Portainer
       ansible.builtin.uri:
         url: "{{ portainer_url }}/api/endpoints"