diff --git a/e2e/perstack-cli/lazy-init.test.ts b/e2e/perstack-cli/lazy-init.test.ts
index 7f32ff93..ba0f8db1 100644
--- a/e2e/perstack-cli/lazy-init.test.ts
+++ b/e2e/perstack-cli/lazy-init.test.ts
@@ -110,11 +110,12 @@ describe.concurrent("Lazy Init", () => {
       // @perstack/base (lazyInit=false) should be connected BEFORE startRun
       expect(baseSkillEvent!.timestamp).toBeLessThanOrEqual(startRunEvent!.timestamp)
 
-      // Verify that startRun happens immediately after base connects (not waiting for attacker)
-      // The gap between base connected and startRun should be small (< 50ms)
-      // Using 50ms to account for event loop, GC pauses, and CI runner variability
+      // Verify that startRun happens soon after base connects (not waiting for attacker)
+      // With real-time lifecycle events, the gap includes time for other adapter setup
+      // between base's skillConnected and startRun. Using 200ms to account for
+      // event loop, GC pauses, stdio spawn overhead, and CI runner variability.
       const gapMs = startRunEvent!.timestamp - baseSkillEvent!.timestamp
-      expect(gapMs).toBeLessThan(50)
+      expect(gapMs).toBeLessThan(200)
 
       // Run should complete successfully
       const completeRunEvent = events.find((e) => e.type === "completeRun")