diff --git a/core/README.md b/core/README.md
index f955ad43..fed5bfad 100644
--- a/core/README.md
+++ b/core/README.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ Go-based backend for DankMaterialShell providing system integration, IPC, and in
 Command-line interface and daemon for shell management and system control.
 
 **dankinstall**
-Distribution-aware installer with TUI for deploying DMS and compositor configurations on Arch, Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu, openSUSE, and Gentoo.
+Distribution-aware installer for deploying DMS and compositor configurations on Arch, Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu, openSUSE, and Gentoo. Supports both an interactive TUI and a headless (unattended) mode via CLI flags.
 
 ## System Integration
 
@@ -147,10 +147,50 @@ go-wayland-scanner -i internal/proto/xml/wlr-gamma-control-unstable-v1.xml \
 
 ## Installation via dankinstall
 
+**Interactive (TUI):**
+
 ```bash
 curl -fsSL https://install.danklinux.com | sh
 ```
 
+**Headless (unattended):**
+
+Headless mode requires cached sudo credentials. Run `sudo -v` first:
+
+```bash
+sudo -v && curl -fsSL https://install.danklinux.com | sh -s -- -c niri -t ghostty -y
+sudo -v && curl -fsSL https://install.danklinux.com | sh -s -- -c hyprland -t kitty --include-deps dms-greeter -y
+```
+
+| Flag | Short | Description |
+|------|-------|-------------|
+| `--compositor <niri|hyprland>` | `-c` | Compositor/WM to install (required for headless) |
+| `--term <ghostty|kitty|alacritty>` | `-t` | Terminal emulator (required for headless) |
+| `--include-deps <name,...>` | | Enable optional dependencies (e.g. `dms-greeter`) |
+| `--exclude-deps <name,...>` | | Skip specific dependencies |
+| `--replace-configs <name,...>` | | Replace specific configuration files (mutually exclusive with `--replace-configs-all`) |
+| `--replace-configs-all` | | Replace all configuration files (mutually exclusive with `--replace-configs`) |
+| `--yes` | `-y` | Required for headless mode — confirms installation without interactive prompts |
+
+Headless mode requires `--yes` to proceed; without it, the installer exits with an error.
+Configuration files are not replaced by default unless `--replace-configs` or `--replace-configs-all` is specified.
+`dms-greeter` is disabled by default; use `--include-deps dms-greeter` to enable it.
+
+When no flags are provided, `dankinstall` launches the interactive TUI.
+
+### Headless mode validation rules
+
+Headless mode activates when `--compositor` or `--term` is provided.
+
+- Both `--compositor` and `--term` are required; providing only one results in an error.
+- Headless-only flags (`--include-deps`, `--exclude-deps`, `--replace-configs`, `--replace-configs-all`, `--yes`) are rejected in TUI mode.
+- Positional arguments are not accepted.
+
+### Log file location
+
+`dankinstall` writes logs to `/tmp` by default.
+Set the `DANKINSTALL_LOG_DIR` environment variable to override the log directory.
+
 ## Supported Distributions
 
 Arch, Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu, openSUSE, Gentoo (and derivatives)
diff --git a/core/cmd/dankinstall/main.go b/core/cmd/dankinstall/main.go
index 3c72553a..042506ea 100644
--- a/core/cmd/dankinstall/main.go
+++ b/core/cmd/dankinstall/main.go
@@ -3,20 +3,152 @@ package main
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
+	"strings"
 
+	"github.com/AvengeMedia/DankMaterialShell/core/internal/headless"
 	"github.com/AvengeMedia/DankMaterialShell/core/internal/log"
 	"github.com/AvengeMedia/DankMaterialShell/core/internal/tui"
 	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
 
 var Version = "dev"
 
+// Flag variables bound via pflag
+var (
+	compositor        string
+	term              string
+	includeDeps       []string
+	excludeDeps       []string
+	replaceConfigs    []string
+	replaceConfigsAll bool
+	yes               bool
+)
+
+var rootCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "dankinstall",
+	Short: "Install DankMaterialShell and its dependencies",
+	Long: `dankinstall sets up DankMaterialShell with your chosen compositor and terminal.
+
+Without flags, it launches an interactive TUI. Providing either --compositor
+or --term activates headless (unattended) mode, which requires both flags.
+
+Headless mode requires cached sudo credentials. Run 'sudo -v' beforehand, or
+configure passwordless sudo for your user.`,
+	Args:          cobra.NoArgs,
+	RunE:          runDankinstall,
+	SilenceErrors: true,
+	SilenceUsage:  true,
+}
+
+func init() {
+	rootCmd.Flags().StringVarP(&compositor, "compositor", "c", "", "Compositor/WM to install: niri or hyprland (enables headless mode)")
+	rootCmd.Flags().StringVarP(&term, "term", "t", "", "Terminal emulator to install: ghostty, kitty, or alacritty (enables headless mode)")
+	rootCmd.Flags().StringSliceVar(&includeDeps, "include-deps", []string{}, "Optional deps to enable (e.g. dms-greeter)")
+	rootCmd.Flags().StringSliceVar(&excludeDeps, "exclude-deps", []string{}, "Deps to skip during installation")
+	rootCmd.Flags().StringSliceVar(&replaceConfigs, "replace-configs", []string{}, "Deploy only named configs (e.g. niri,ghostty)")
+	rootCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&replaceConfigsAll, "replace-configs-all", false, "Deploy and replace all configurations")
+	rootCmd.Flags().BoolVarP(&yes, "yes", "y", false, "Auto-confirm all prompts")
+}
+
 func main() {
 	if os.Getuid() == 0 {
 		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "Error: dankinstall must not be run as root")
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
+	if err := rootCmd.Execute(); err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: %v\n", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+}
+
+func runDankinstall(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+	headlessMode := compositor != "" || term != ""
+
+	if !headlessMode {
+		// Reject headless-only flags when running in TUI mode.
+		headlessOnly := []string{
+			"include-deps",
+			"exclude-deps",
+			"replace-configs",
+			"replace-configs-all",
+			"yes",
+		}
+		var set []string
+		for _, name := range headlessOnly {
+			if cmd.Flags().Changed(name) {
+				set = append(set, "--"+name)
+			}
+		}
+		if len(set) > 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("flags %s are only valid in headless mode (requires both --compositor and --term)", strings.Join(set, ", "))
+		}
+	}
+
+	if headlessMode {
+		return runHeadless()
+	}
+	return runTUI()
+}
+
+func runHeadless() error {
+	// Validate required flags
+	if compositor == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("--compositor is required for headless mode (niri or hyprland)")
+	}
+	if term == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("--term is required for headless mode (ghostty, kitty, or alacritty)")
+	}
+
+	cfg := headless.Config{
+		Compositor:        compositor,
+		Terminal:          term,
+		IncludeDeps:       includeDeps,
+		ExcludeDeps:       excludeDeps,
+		ReplaceConfigs:    replaceConfigs,
+		ReplaceConfigsAll: replaceConfigsAll,
+		Yes:               yes,
+	}
+
+	runner := headless.NewRunner(cfg)
+
+	// Set up file logging
+	fileLogger, err := log.NewFileLogger()
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Warning: Failed to create log file: %v\n", err)
+	}
+
+	if fileLogger != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("Logging to: %s\n", fileLogger.GetLogPath())
+		fileLogger.StartListening(runner.GetLogChan())
+		defer func() {
+			if err := fileLogger.Close(); err != nil {
+				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Warning: Failed to close log file: %v\n", err)
+			}
+		}()
+	} else {
+		// Drain the log channel to prevent blocking sends from deadlocking
+		// downstream components (distros, config deployer) that write to it.
+		// Use an explicit stop signal because this code does not own the
+		// runner log channel and cannot assume it will be closed.
+		defer drainLogChan(runner.GetLogChan())()
+	}
+
+	if err := runner.Run(); err != nil {
+		if fileLogger != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "\nFull logs are available at: %s\n", fileLogger.GetLogPath())
+		}
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if fileLogger != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("\nFull logs are available at: %s\n", fileLogger.GetLogPath())
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func runTUI() error {
 	fileLogger, err := log.NewFileLogger()
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Printf("Warning: Failed to create log file: %v\n", err)
@@ -38,18 +170,50 @@ func main() {
 
 	if fileLogger != nil {
 		fileLogger.StartListening(model.GetLogChan())
+	} else {
+		// Drain the log channel to prevent blocking sends from deadlocking
+		// downstream components (distros, config deployer) that write to it.
+		// Use an explicit stop signal because this code does not own the
+		// model log channel and cannot assume it will be closed.
+		defer drainLogChan(model.GetLogChan())()
 	}
 
 	p := tea.NewProgram(model, tea.WithAltScreen())
 	if _, err := p.Run(); err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("Error running program: %v\n", err)
 		if logFilePath != "" {
-			fmt.Printf("\nFull logs are available at: %s\n", logFilePath)
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "\nFull logs are available at: %s\n", logFilePath)
 		}
-		os.Exit(1)
+		return fmt.Errorf("error running program: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	if logFilePath != "" {
 		fmt.Printf("\nFull logs are available at: %s\n", logFilePath)
 	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// drainLogChan starts a goroutine that discards all messages from logCh,
+// preventing blocking sends from deadlocking downstream components. It returns
+// a cleanup function that signals the goroutine to stop and waits for it to
+// exit. Callers should defer the returned function.
+func drainLogChan(logCh <-chan string) func() {
+	drainStop := make(chan struct{})
+	drainDone := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		defer close(drainDone)
+		for {
+			select {
+			case <-drainStop:
+				return
+			case _, ok := <-logCh:
+				if !ok {
+					return
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+	return func() {
+		close(drainStop)
+		<-drainDone
+	}
 }
diff --git a/core/internal/config/deployer.go b/core/internal/config/deployer.go
index 417aab20..7cc513f2 100644
--- a/core/internal/config/deployer.go
+++ b/core/internal/config/deployer.go
@@ -62,12 +62,31 @@ func (cd *ConfigDeployer) DeployConfigurationsSelectiveWithReinstalls(ctx contex
 func (cd *ConfigDeployer) deployConfigurationsInternal(ctx context.Context, wm deps.WindowManager, terminal deps.Terminal, installedDeps []deps.Dependency, replaceConfigs map[string]bool, reinstallItems map[string]bool, useSystemd bool) ([]DeploymentResult, error) {
 	var results []DeploymentResult
 
+	// Primary config file paths used to detect fresh installs.
+	configPrimaryPaths := map[string]string{
+		"Niri":      filepath.Join(os.Getenv("HOME"), ".config", "niri", "config.kdl"),
+		"Hyprland":  filepath.Join(os.Getenv("HOME"), ".config", "hypr", "hyprland.conf"),
+		"Ghostty":   filepath.Join(os.Getenv("HOME"), ".config", "ghostty", "config"),
+		"Kitty":     filepath.Join(os.Getenv("HOME"), ".config", "kitty", "kitty.conf"),
+		"Alacritty": filepath.Join(os.Getenv("HOME"), ".config", "alacritty", "alacritty.toml"),
+	}
+
 	shouldReplaceConfig := func(configType string) bool {
 		if replaceConfigs == nil {
 			return true
 		}
 		replace, exists := replaceConfigs[configType]
-		return !exists || replace
+		if !exists || replace {
+			return true
+		}
+		// Config is explicitly set to "don't replace" — but still deploy
+		// if the config file doesn't exist yet (fresh install scenario).
+		if primaryPath, ok := configPrimaryPaths[configType]; ok {
+			if _, err := os.Stat(primaryPath); os.IsNotExist(err) {
+				return true
+			}
+		}
+		return false
 	}
 
 	switch wm {
diff --git a/core/internal/config/deployer_test.go b/core/internal/config/deployer_test.go
index b0a8048e..37266340 100644
--- a/core/internal/config/deployer_test.go
+++ b/core/internal/config/deployer_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package config
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
@@ -624,3 +625,168 @@ func TestAlacrittyConfigDeployment(t *testing.T) {
 		assert.Contains(t, string(newContent), "decorations = \"None\"")
 	})
 }
+
+func TestShouldReplaceConfigDeployIfMissing(t *testing.T) {
+	allFalse := map[string]bool{
+		"Niri":      false,
+		"Hyprland":  false,
+		"Ghostty":   false,
+		"Kitty":     false,
+		"Alacritty": false,
+	}
+
+	t.Run("replaceConfigs nil deploys config", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "dankinstall-replace-nil-test")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+		originalHome := os.Getenv("HOME")
+		os.Setenv("HOME", tempDir)
+		defer os.Setenv("HOME", originalHome)
+
+		logChan := make(chan string, 100)
+		cd := NewConfigDeployer(logChan)
+
+		results, err := cd.DeployConfigurationsSelectiveWithReinstalls(
+			context.Background(),
+			deps.WindowManagerNiri,
+			deps.TerminalGhostty,
+			nil, // installedDeps
+			nil, // replaceConfigs
+			nil, // reinstallItems
+		)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// With replaceConfigs=nil, all configs should be deployed
+		hasDeployed := false
+		for _, r := range results {
+			if r.Deployed {
+				hasDeployed = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		assert.True(t, hasDeployed, "expected at least one config to be deployed when replaceConfigs is nil")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("replaceConfigs all false and config missing deploys config", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "dankinstall-replace-missing-test")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+		originalHome := os.Getenv("HOME")
+		os.Setenv("HOME", tempDir)
+		defer os.Setenv("HOME", originalHome)
+
+		logChan := make(chan string, 100)
+		cd := NewConfigDeployer(logChan)
+
+		results, err := cd.DeployConfigurationsSelectiveWithReinstalls(
+			context.Background(),
+			deps.WindowManagerNiri,
+			deps.TerminalGhostty,
+			nil,      // installedDeps
+			allFalse, // replaceConfigs — all false
+			nil,      // reinstallItems
+		)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// Config files don't exist on disk, so they should still be deployed
+		hasDeployed := false
+		for _, r := range results {
+			if r.Deployed {
+				hasDeployed = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		assert.True(t, hasDeployed, "expected configs to be deployed when files are missing, even with replaceConfigs all false")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("replaceConfigs false and config exists skips config", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "dankinstall-replace-exists-test")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+		originalHome := os.Getenv("HOME")
+		os.Setenv("HOME", tempDir)
+		defer os.Setenv("HOME", originalHome)
+
+		// Create the Ghostty primary config file so shouldReplaceConfig returns false
+		ghosttyPath := filepath.Join(tempDir, ".config", "ghostty", "config")
+		err = os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(ghosttyPath), 0o755)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		err = os.WriteFile(ghosttyPath, []byte("# existing ghostty config\n"), 0o644)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// Also create the Niri primary config file
+		niriPath := filepath.Join(tempDir, ".config", "niri", "config.kdl")
+		err = os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(niriPath), 0o755)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		err = os.WriteFile(niriPath, []byte("// existing niri config\n"), 0o644)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		logChan := make(chan string, 100)
+		cd := NewConfigDeployer(logChan)
+
+		results, err := cd.DeployConfigurationsSelectiveWithReinstalls(
+			context.Background(),
+			deps.WindowManagerNiri,
+			deps.TerminalGhostty,
+			nil,      // installedDeps
+			allFalse, // replaceConfigs — all false
+			nil,      // reinstallItems
+		)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// Both Niri and Ghostty config files exist, so with all false they should be skipped
+		for _, r := range results {
+			assert.Fail(t, "expected no configs to be deployed", "got deployed config: %s", r.ConfigType)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("replaceConfigs true and config exists deploys config", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "dankinstall-replace-true-test")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+		originalHome := os.Getenv("HOME")
+		os.Setenv("HOME", tempDir)
+		defer os.Setenv("HOME", originalHome)
+
+		// Create the Ghostty primary config file
+		ghosttyPath := filepath.Join(tempDir, ".config", "ghostty", "config")
+		err = os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(ghosttyPath), 0o755)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		err = os.WriteFile(ghosttyPath, []byte("# existing ghostty config\n"), 0o644)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		logChan := make(chan string, 100)
+		cd := NewConfigDeployer(logChan)
+
+		replaceConfigs := map[string]bool{
+			"Niri":      false,
+			"Hyprland":  false,
+			"Ghostty":   true, // explicitly true
+			"Kitty":     false,
+			"Alacritty": false,
+		}
+
+		results, err := cd.DeployConfigurationsSelectiveWithReinstalls(
+			context.Background(),
+			deps.WindowManagerNiri,
+			deps.TerminalGhostty,
+			nil,            // installedDeps
+			replaceConfigs, // Ghostty=true, rest=false
+			nil,            // reinstallItems
+		)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// Ghostty should be deployed because replaceConfigs["Ghostty"]=true
+		foundGhostty := false
+		for _, r := range results {
+			if r.ConfigType == "Ghostty" && r.Deployed {
+				foundGhostty = true
+			}
+		}
+		assert.True(t, foundGhostty, "expected Ghostty config to be deployed when replaceConfigs is true")
+	})
+}
diff --git a/core/internal/headless/runner.go b/core/internal/headless/runner.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7dae9fcb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/internal/headless/runner.go
@@ -0,0 +1,418 @@
+package headless
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/AvengeMedia/DankMaterialShell/core/internal/config"
+	"github.com/AvengeMedia/DankMaterialShell/core/internal/deps"
+	"github.com/AvengeMedia/DankMaterialShell/core/internal/distros"
+	"github.com/AvengeMedia/DankMaterialShell/core/internal/greeter"
+)
+
+// ErrConfirmationRequired is returned when --yes is not set and the user
+// must explicitly confirm the operation.
+var ErrConfirmationRequired = fmt.Errorf("confirmation required: pass --yes to proceed")
+
+// validConfigNames maps lowercase CLI input to the deployer key used in
+// replaceConfigs. Keep in sync with the config types checked by
+// shouldReplaceConfig in deployer.go.
+var validConfigNames = map[string]string{
+	"niri":      "Niri",
+	"hyprland":  "Hyprland",
+	"ghostty":   "Ghostty",
+	"kitty":     "Kitty",
+	"alacritty": "Alacritty",
+}
+
+// orderedConfigNames defines the canonical order for config names in output.
+// Must be kept in sync with validConfigNames.
+var orderedConfigNames = []string{"niri", "hyprland", "ghostty", "kitty", "alacritty"}
+
+// Config holds all CLI parameters for unattended installation.
+type Config struct {
+	Compositor        string // "niri" or "hyprland"
+	Terminal          string // "ghostty", "kitty", or "alacritty"
+	IncludeDeps       []string
+	ExcludeDeps       []string
+	ReplaceConfigs    []string // specific configs to deploy (e.g. "niri", "ghostty")
+	ReplaceConfigsAll bool     // deploy/replace all configurations
+	Yes               bool
+}
+
+// Runner orchestrates unattended (headless) installation.
+type Runner struct {
+	cfg     Config
+	logChan chan string
+}
+
+// NewRunner creates a new headless runner.
+func NewRunner(cfg Config) *Runner {
+	return &Runner{
+		cfg:     cfg,
+		logChan: make(chan string, 1000),
+	}
+}
+
+// GetLogChan returns the log channel for file logging.
+func (r *Runner) GetLogChan() <-chan string {
+	return r.logChan
+}
+
+// Run executes the full unattended installation flow.
+func (r *Runner) Run() error {
+	r.log("Starting headless installation")
+
+	// 1. Parse compositor and terminal selections
+	wm, err := r.parseWindowManager()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	terminal, err := r.parseTerminal()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// 2. Build replace-configs map
+	replaceConfigs, err := r.buildReplaceConfigs()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// 3. Detect OS
+	r.log("Detecting operating system...")
+	osInfo, err := distros.GetOSInfo()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("OS detection failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if distros.IsUnsupportedDistro(osInfo.Distribution.ID, osInfo.VersionID) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("unsupported distribution: %s %s", osInfo.PrettyName, osInfo.VersionID)
+	}
+
+	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stdout, "Detected: %s (%s)\n", osInfo.PrettyName, osInfo.Architecture)
+
+	// 4. Create distribution instance
+	distro, err := distros.NewDistribution(osInfo.Distribution.ID, r.logChan)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to initialize distribution: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// 5. Detect dependencies
+	r.log("Detecting dependencies...")
+	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout, "Detecting dependencies...")
+	dependencies, err := distro.DetectDependenciesWithTerminal(context.Background(), wm, terminal)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("dependency detection failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// 5. Apply include/exclude filters and build the disabled-items map.
+	// Headless mode does not currently collect any explicit reinstall selections,
+	// so keep reinstallItems nil instead of constructing an always-empty map.
+	disabledItems, err := r.buildDisabledItems(dependencies)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	var reinstallItems map[string]bool
+
+	// Print dependency summary
+	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout, "\nDependencies:")
+	for _, dep := range dependencies {
+		marker := "  "
+		status := ""
+		if disabledItems[dep.Name] {
+			marker = "  SKIP "
+			status = "(disabled)"
+		} else {
+			switch dep.Status {
+			case deps.StatusInstalled:
+				marker = "  OK   "
+				status = "(installed)"
+			case deps.StatusMissing:
+				marker = "  NEW  "
+				status = "(will install)"
+			case deps.StatusNeedsUpdate:
+				marker = "  UPD  "
+				status = "(will update)"
+			case deps.StatusNeedsReinstall:
+				marker = "  RE   "
+				status = "(will reinstall)"
+			}
+		}
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stdout, "%s%-30s %s\n", marker, dep.Name, status)
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout)
+
+	// 6b. Require explicit confirmation unless --yes is set
+	if !r.cfg.Yes {
+		if replaceConfigs == nil {
+			// --replace-configs-all
+			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout, "Packages will be installed and all configurations will be replaced.")
+			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout, "Existing config files will be backed up before replacement.")
+		} else if r.anyConfigEnabled(replaceConfigs) {
+			var names []string
+			for _, cliName := range orderedConfigNames {
+				deployerKey := validConfigNames[cliName]
+				if replaceConfigs[deployerKey] {
+					names = append(names, deployerKey)
+				}
+			}
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stdout, "Packages will be installed. The following configurations will be replaced (with backups): %s\n", strings.Join(names, ", "))
+		} else {
+			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout, "Packages will be installed. No configurations will be deployed.")
+		}
+		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout, "Re-run with --yes (-y) to proceed.")
+		r.log("Aborted: --yes not set")
+		return ErrConfirmationRequired
+	}
+
+	// 7. Authenticate sudo
+	sudoPassword, err := r.resolveSudoPassword()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// 8. Install packages
+	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout, "Installing packages...")
+	r.log("Starting package installation")
+
+	progressChan := make(chan distros.InstallProgressMsg, 100)
+
+	installErr := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		defer close(progressChan)
+		installErr <- distro.InstallPackages(
+			context.Background(),
+			dependencies,
+			wm,
+			sudoPassword,
+			reinstallItems,
+			disabledItems,
+			false, // skipGlobalUseFlags
+			progressChan,
+		)
+	}()
+
+	// Consume progress messages and print them
+	for msg := range progressChan {
+		if msg.Error != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error: %v\n", msg.Error)
+		} else if msg.Step != "" {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stdout, "  [%3.0f%%] %s\n", msg.Progress*100, msg.Step)
+		}
+		if msg.LogOutput != "" {
+			r.log(msg.LogOutput)
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stdout, "    %s\n", msg.LogOutput)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if err := <-installErr; err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("package installation failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// 9. Greeter setup (if dms-greeter was included)
+	if !disabledItems["dms-greeter"] && r.depExists(dependencies, "dms-greeter") {
+		compositorName := "niri"
+		if wm == deps.WindowManagerHyprland {
+			compositorName = "Hyprland"
+		}
+		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout, "Configuring DMS greeter...")
+		logFunc := func(line string) {
+			r.log(line)
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stdout, "  greeter: %s\n", line)
+		}
+		if err := greeter.AutoSetupGreeter(compositorName, sudoPassword, logFunc); err != nil {
+			// Non-fatal, matching TUI behavior
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Warning: greeter setup issue (non-fatal): %v\n", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// 10. Deploy configurations
+	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout, "Deploying configurations...")
+	r.log("Starting configuration deployment")
+
+	deployer := config.NewConfigDeployer(r.logChan)
+	results, err := deployer.DeployConfigurationsSelectiveWithReinstalls(
+		context.Background(),
+		wm,
+		terminal,
+		dependencies,
+		replaceConfigs,
+		reinstallItems,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("configuration deployment failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	for _, result := range results {
+		if result.Deployed {
+			msg := fmt.Sprintf("  Deployed: %s", result.ConfigType)
+			if result.BackupPath != "" {
+				msg += fmt.Sprintf(" (backup: %s)", result.BackupPath)
+			}
+			fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout, msg)
+		}
+		if result.Error != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "  Error deploying %s: %v\n", result.ConfigType, result.Error)
+		}
+	}
+
+	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout, "\nInstallation complete!")
+	r.log("Headless installation completed successfully")
+	return nil
+}
+
+// buildDisabledItems computes the set of dependencies that should be skipped
+// during installation, applying the --include-deps and --exclude-deps filters.
+// dms-greeter is disabled by default (opt-in), matching TUI behavior.
+func (r *Runner) buildDisabledItems(dependencies []deps.Dependency) (map[string]bool, error) {
+	disabledItems := make(map[string]bool)
+
+	// dms-greeter is opt-in (disabled by default), matching TUI behavior
+	for i := range dependencies {
+		if dependencies[i].Name == "dms-greeter" {
+			disabledItems["dms-greeter"] = true
+			break
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Process --include-deps (enable items that are disabled by default)
+	for _, name := range r.cfg.IncludeDeps {
+		name = strings.TrimSpace(name)
+		if name == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if !r.depExists(dependencies, name) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("--include-deps: unknown dependency %q", name)
+		}
+		delete(disabledItems, name)
+	}
+
+	// Process --exclude-deps (disable items)
+	for _, name := range r.cfg.ExcludeDeps {
+		name = strings.TrimSpace(name)
+		if name == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if !r.depExists(dependencies, name) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("--exclude-deps: unknown dependency %q", name)
+		}
+		// Don't allow excluding DMS itself
+		if name == "dms (DankMaterialShell)" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("--exclude-deps: cannot exclude required package %q", name)
+		}
+		disabledItems[name] = true
+	}
+
+	return disabledItems, nil
+}
+
+// buildReplaceConfigs converts the --replace-configs / --replace-configs-all
+// flags into the map[string]bool consumed by the config deployer.
+//
+// Returns:
+//   - nil when --replace-configs-all is set (deployer treats nil as "replace all")
+//   - a map with all known configs set to false when neither flag is set (deploy only if config file is missing on disk)
+//   - a map with requested configs true, all others false for --replace-configs
+//   - an error when both flags are set or an invalid config name is given
+func (r *Runner) buildReplaceConfigs() (map[string]bool, error) {
+	hasSpecific := len(r.cfg.ReplaceConfigs) > 0
+	if hasSpecific && r.cfg.ReplaceConfigsAll {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("--replace-configs and --replace-configs-all are mutually exclusive")
+	}
+
+	if r.cfg.ReplaceConfigsAll {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+
+	// Build a map with all known configs explicitly set to false
+	result := make(map[string]bool, len(validConfigNames))
+	for _, cliName := range orderedConfigNames {
+		result[validConfigNames[cliName]] = false
+	}
+
+	// Enable only the requested configs
+	for _, name := range r.cfg.ReplaceConfigs {
+		name = strings.TrimSpace(name)
+		if name == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		deployerKey, ok := validConfigNames[strings.ToLower(name)]
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("--replace-configs: unknown config %q; valid values: niri, hyprland, ghostty, kitty, alacritty", name)
+		}
+		result[deployerKey] = true
+	}
+
+	return result, nil
+}
+
+func (r *Runner) log(message string) {
+	select {
+	case r.logChan <- message:
+	default:
+	}
+}
+
+func (r *Runner) parseWindowManager() (deps.WindowManager, error) {
+	switch strings.ToLower(r.cfg.Compositor) {
+	case "niri":
+		return deps.WindowManagerNiri, nil
+	case "hyprland":
+		return deps.WindowManagerHyprland, nil
+	default:
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("invalid --compositor value %q: must be 'niri' or 'hyprland'", r.cfg.Compositor)
+	}
+}
+
+func (r *Runner) parseTerminal() (deps.Terminal, error) {
+	switch strings.ToLower(r.cfg.Terminal) {
+	case "ghostty":
+		return deps.TerminalGhostty, nil
+	case "kitty":
+		return deps.TerminalKitty, nil
+	case "alacritty":
+		return deps.TerminalAlacritty, nil
+	default:
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("invalid --term value %q: must be 'ghostty', 'kitty', or 'alacritty'", r.cfg.Terminal)
+	}
+}
+
+func (r *Runner) resolveSudoPassword() (string, error) {
+	// Check if sudo credentials are cached (via sudo -v or NOPASSWD)
+	cmd := exec.Command("sudo", "-n", "true")
+	if err := cmd.Run(); err == nil {
+		r.log("sudo cache is valid, no password needed")
+		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stdout, "sudo: using cached credentials")
+		return "", nil
+	}
+
+	return "", fmt.Errorf(
+		"sudo authentication required but no cached credentials found\n" +
+			"Options:\n" +
+			"  1. Run 'sudo -v' before dankinstall to cache credentials\n" +
+			"  2. Configure passwordless sudo for your user",
+	)
+}
+
+func (r *Runner) anyConfigEnabled(m map[string]bool) bool {
+	for _, v := range m {
+		if v {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func (r *Runner) depExists(dependencies []deps.Dependency, name string) bool {
+	for _, dep := range dependencies {
+		if dep.Name == name {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/core/internal/headless/runner_test.go b/core/internal/headless/runner_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..79260ae3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/internal/headless/runner_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,459 @@
+package headless
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/AvengeMedia/DankMaterialShell/core/internal/deps"
+)
+
+func TestParseWindowManager(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		input   string
+		want    deps.WindowManager
+		wantErr bool
+	}{
+		{"niri lowercase", "niri", deps.WindowManagerNiri, false},
+		{"niri mixed case", "Niri", deps.WindowManagerNiri, false},
+		{"hyprland lowercase", "hyprland", deps.WindowManagerHyprland, false},
+		{"hyprland mixed case", "Hyprland", deps.WindowManagerHyprland, false},
+		{"invalid", "sway", 0, true},
+		{"empty", "", 0, true},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			r := NewRunner(Config{Compositor: tt.input})
+			got, err := r.parseWindowManager()
+			if (err != nil) != tt.wantErr {
+				t.Errorf("parseWindowManager() error = %v, wantErr %v", err, tt.wantErr)
+				return
+			}
+			if !tt.wantErr && got != tt.want {
+				t.Errorf("parseWindowManager() = %v, want %v", got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseTerminal(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		input   string
+		want    deps.Terminal
+		wantErr bool
+	}{
+		{"ghostty lowercase", "ghostty", deps.TerminalGhostty, false},
+		{"ghostty mixed case", "Ghostty", deps.TerminalGhostty, false},
+		{"kitty lowercase", "kitty", deps.TerminalKitty, false},
+		{"alacritty lowercase", "alacritty", deps.TerminalAlacritty, false},
+		{"alacritty uppercase", "ALACRITTY", deps.TerminalAlacritty, false},
+		{"invalid", "wezterm", 0, true},
+		{"empty", "", 0, true},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			r := NewRunner(Config{Terminal: tt.input})
+			got, err := r.parseTerminal()
+			if (err != nil) != tt.wantErr {
+				t.Errorf("parseTerminal() error = %v, wantErr %v", err, tt.wantErr)
+				return
+			}
+			if !tt.wantErr && got != tt.want {
+				t.Errorf("parseTerminal() = %v, want %v", got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDepExists(t *testing.T) {
+	dependencies := []deps.Dependency{
+		{Name: "niri", Status: deps.StatusInstalled},
+		{Name: "ghostty", Status: deps.StatusMissing},
+		{Name: "dms (DankMaterialShell)", Status: deps.StatusInstalled},
+		{Name: "dms-greeter", Status: deps.StatusMissing},
+	}
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		dep  string
+		want bool
+	}{
+		{"existing dep", "niri", true},
+		{"existing dep with special chars", "dms (DankMaterialShell)", true},
+		{"existing optional dep", "dms-greeter", true},
+		{"non-existing dep", "firefox", false},
+		{"empty name", "", false},
+	}
+
+	r := NewRunner(Config{})
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if got := r.depExists(dependencies, tt.dep); got != tt.want {
+				t.Errorf("depExists(%q) = %v, want %v", tt.dep, got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewRunner(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := Config{
+		Compositor:  "niri",
+		Terminal:    "ghostty",
+		IncludeDeps: []string{"dms-greeter"},
+		ExcludeDeps: []string{"some-pkg"},
+		Yes:         true,
+	}
+	r := NewRunner(cfg)
+
+	if r == nil {
+		t.Fatal("NewRunner returned nil")
+	}
+	if r.cfg.Compositor != "niri" {
+		t.Errorf("cfg.Compositor = %q, want %q", r.cfg.Compositor, "niri")
+	}
+	if r.cfg.Terminal != "ghostty" {
+		t.Errorf("cfg.Terminal = %q, want %q", r.cfg.Terminal, "ghostty")
+	}
+	if !r.cfg.Yes {
+		t.Error("cfg.Yes = false, want true")
+	}
+	if r.logChan == nil {
+		t.Error("logChan is nil")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestGetLogChan(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewRunner(Config{})
+	ch := r.GetLogChan()
+	if ch == nil {
+		t.Fatal("GetLogChan returned nil")
+	}
+
+	// Verify the channel is readable by sending a message
+	go func() {
+		r.logChan <- "test message"
+	}()
+	msg := <-ch
+	if msg != "test message" {
+		t.Errorf("received %q, want %q", msg, "test message")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLog(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewRunner(Config{})
+
+	// log should not block even if channel is full
+	for i := 0; i < 1100; i++ {
+		r.log("message")
+	}
+	// If we reach here without hanging, the non-blocking send works
+}
+
+func TestRunRequiresYes(t *testing.T) {
+	// Verify that ErrConfirmationRequired is a distinct sentinel error
+	if ErrConfirmationRequired == nil {
+		t.Fatal("ErrConfirmationRequired should not be nil")
+	}
+	expected := "confirmation required: pass --yes to proceed"
+	if ErrConfirmationRequired.Error() != expected {
+		t.Errorf("ErrConfirmationRequired = %q, want %q", ErrConfirmationRequired.Error(), expected)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigYesStoredCorrectly(t *testing.T) {
+	// Yes=false (default) should be stored
+	rNo := NewRunner(Config{Compositor: "niri", Terminal: "ghostty", Yes: false})
+	if rNo.cfg.Yes {
+		t.Error("cfg.Yes = true, want false")
+	}
+
+	// Yes=true should be stored
+	rYes := NewRunner(Config{Compositor: "niri", Terminal: "ghostty", Yes: true})
+	if !rYes.cfg.Yes {
+		t.Error("cfg.Yes = false, want true")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidConfigNamesCompleteness(t *testing.T) {
+	// orderedConfigNames and validConfigNames must stay in sync.
+	if len(orderedConfigNames) != len(validConfigNames) {
+		t.Fatalf("orderedConfigNames has %d entries but validConfigNames has %d",
+			len(orderedConfigNames), len(validConfigNames))
+	}
+
+	// Every entry in orderedConfigNames must exist in validConfigNames.
+	for _, name := range orderedConfigNames {
+		if _, ok := validConfigNames[name]; !ok {
+			t.Errorf("orderedConfigNames contains %q which is missing from validConfigNames", name)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// validConfigNames must have no extra keys not in orderedConfigNames.
+	ordered := make(map[string]bool, len(orderedConfigNames))
+	for _, name := range orderedConfigNames {
+		ordered[name] = true
+	}
+	for key := range validConfigNames {
+		if !ordered[key] {
+			t.Errorf("validConfigNames contains %q which is missing from orderedConfigNames", key)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBuildReplaceConfigs(t *testing.T) {
+	allDeployerKeys := []string{"Niri", "Hyprland", "Ghostty", "Kitty", "Alacritty"}
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name           string
+		replaceConfigs []string
+		replaceAll     bool
+		wantNil        bool     // expect nil (replace all)
+		wantEnabled    []string // deployer keys that should be true
+		wantErr        bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:        "neither flag set",
+			wantNil:     false,
+			wantEnabled: nil, // all should be false
+		},
+		{
+			name:       "replace-configs-all",
+			replaceAll: true,
+			wantNil:    true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "specific configs",
+			replaceConfigs: []string{"niri", "ghostty"},
+			wantNil:        false,
+			wantEnabled:    []string{"Niri", "Ghostty"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "both flags set",
+			replaceConfigs: []string{"niri"},
+			replaceAll:     true,
+			wantErr:        true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "invalid config name",
+			replaceConfigs: []string{"foo"},
+			wantErr:        true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "case insensitive",
+			replaceConfigs: []string{"NIRI", "Ghostty"},
+			wantNil:        false,
+			wantEnabled:    []string{"Niri", "Ghostty"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "single config",
+			replaceConfigs: []string{"kitty"},
+			wantNil:        false,
+			wantEnabled:    []string{"Kitty"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "whitespace entry",
+			replaceConfigs: []string{"  ", "niri"},
+			wantNil:        false,
+			wantEnabled:    []string{"Niri"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "duplicate entry",
+			replaceConfigs: []string{"niri", "niri"},
+			wantNil:        false,
+			wantEnabled:    []string{"Niri"},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			r := NewRunner(Config{
+				ReplaceConfigs:    tt.replaceConfigs,
+				ReplaceConfigsAll: tt.replaceAll,
+			})
+			got, err := r.buildReplaceConfigs()
+			if (err != nil) != tt.wantErr {
+				t.Fatalf("buildReplaceConfigs() error = %v, wantErr %v", err, tt.wantErr)
+			}
+			if tt.wantErr {
+				return
+			}
+			if tt.wantNil {
+				if got != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("buildReplaceConfigs() = %v, want nil", got)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if got == nil {
+				t.Fatal("buildReplaceConfigs() = nil, want non-nil map")
+			}
+
+			// All known deployer keys must be present
+			for _, key := range allDeployerKeys {
+				if _, exists := got[key]; !exists {
+					t.Errorf("missing deployer key %q in result map", key)
+				}
+			}
+
+			// Build enabled set for easy lookup
+			enabledSet := make(map[string]bool)
+			for _, k := range tt.wantEnabled {
+				enabledSet[k] = true
+			}
+
+			for _, key := range allDeployerKeys {
+				want := enabledSet[key]
+				if got[key] != want {
+					t.Errorf("replaceConfigs[%q] = %v, want %v", key, got[key], want)
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigReplaceConfigsStoredCorrectly(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewRunner(Config{
+		Compositor:        "niri",
+		Terminal:          "ghostty",
+		ReplaceConfigs:    []string{"niri", "ghostty"},
+		ReplaceConfigsAll: false,
+	})
+	if len(r.cfg.ReplaceConfigs) != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("len(ReplaceConfigs) = %d, want 2", len(r.cfg.ReplaceConfigs))
+	}
+	if r.cfg.ReplaceConfigsAll {
+		t.Error("ReplaceConfigsAll = true, want false")
+	}
+
+	r2 := NewRunner(Config{
+		Compositor:        "niri",
+		Terminal:          "ghostty",
+		ReplaceConfigsAll: true,
+	})
+	if !r2.cfg.ReplaceConfigsAll {
+		t.Error("ReplaceConfigsAll = false, want true")
+	}
+	if len(r2.cfg.ReplaceConfigs) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("len(ReplaceConfigs) = %d, want 0", len(r2.cfg.ReplaceConfigs))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBuildDisabledItems(t *testing.T) {
+	dependencies := []deps.Dependency{
+		{Name: "niri", Status: deps.StatusInstalled},
+		{Name: "ghostty", Status: deps.StatusMissing},
+		{Name: "dms (DankMaterialShell)", Status: deps.StatusInstalled},
+		{Name: "dms-greeter", Status: deps.StatusMissing},
+		{Name: "waybar", Status: deps.StatusMissing},
+	}
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name         string
+		includeDeps  []string
+		excludeDeps  []string
+		deps         []deps.Dependency // nil means use the shared fixture
+		wantErr      bool
+		errContains  string   // substring expected in error message
+		wantDisabled []string // dep names that should be in disabledItems
+		wantEnabled  []string // dep names that should NOT be in disabledItems (extra check)
+	}{
+		{
+			name:         "no flags set, dms-greeter disabled by default",
+			wantDisabled: []string{"dms-greeter"},
+			wantEnabled:  []string{"niri", "ghostty", "waybar"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "include dms-greeter enables it",
+			includeDeps: []string{"dms-greeter"},
+			wantEnabled: []string{"dms-greeter"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:         "exclude a regular dep",
+			excludeDeps:  []string{"waybar"},
+			wantDisabled: []string{"dms-greeter", "waybar"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "include unknown dep returns error",
+			includeDeps: []string{"nonexistent"},
+			wantErr:     true,
+			errContains: "--include-deps",
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "exclude unknown dep returns error",
+			excludeDeps: []string{"nonexistent"},
+			wantErr:     true,
+			errContains: "--exclude-deps",
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "exclude DMS itself is forbidden",
+			excludeDeps: []string{"dms (DankMaterialShell)"},
+			wantErr:     true,
+			errContains: "cannot exclude required package",
+		},
+		{
+			name:         "include and exclude same dep",
+			includeDeps:  []string{"dms-greeter"},
+			excludeDeps:  []string{"dms-greeter"},
+			wantDisabled: []string{"dms-greeter"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:        "whitespace entries are skipped",
+			includeDeps: []string{"  ", "dms-greeter"},
+			wantEnabled: []string{"dms-greeter"},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "no dms-greeter in deps, nothing disabled by default",
+			deps: []deps.Dependency{
+				{Name: "niri", Status: deps.StatusInstalled},
+			},
+			wantEnabled: []string{"niri"},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			r := NewRunner(Config{
+				IncludeDeps: tt.includeDeps,
+				ExcludeDeps: tt.excludeDeps,
+			})
+			d := tt.deps
+			if d == nil {
+				d = dependencies
+			}
+			got, err := r.buildDisabledItems(d)
+			if (err != nil) != tt.wantErr {
+				t.Fatalf("buildDisabledItems() error = %v, wantErr %v", err, tt.wantErr)
+			}
+			if tt.wantErr {
+				if tt.errContains != "" && !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tt.errContains) {
+					t.Errorf("error %q does not contain %q", err.Error(), tt.errContains)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if got == nil {
+				t.Fatal("buildDisabledItems() returned nil map, want non-nil")
+			}
+
+			// Check expected disabled items
+			for _, name := range tt.wantDisabled {
+				if !got[name] {
+					t.Errorf("expected %q to be disabled, but it is not", name)
+				}
+			}
+
+			// Check expected enabled items (should not be in the map or be false)
+			for _, name := range tt.wantEnabled {
+				if got[name] {
+					t.Errorf("expected %q to NOT be disabled, but it is", name)
+				}
+			}
+
+			// If wantDisabled is empty, the map should have length 0
+			if len(tt.wantDisabled) == 0 && len(got) != 0 {
+				t.Errorf("expected empty disabledItems map, got %v", got)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/core/internal/log/filelogger.go b/core/internal/log/filelogger.go
index 389d38a1..e3ff42b5 100644
--- a/core/internal/log/filelogger.go
+++ b/core/internal/log/filelogger.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"bufio"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"regexp"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
@@ -21,7 +22,16 @@ type FileLogger struct {
 
 func NewFileLogger() (*FileLogger, error) {
 	timestamp := time.Now().Unix()
-	logPath := fmt.Sprintf("/tmp/dankinstall-%d.log", timestamp)
+
+	// Use DANKINSTALL_LOG_DIR if set, otherwise fall back to /tmp.
+	logDir := os.Getenv("DANKINSTALL_LOG_DIR")
+	if logDir == "" {
+		logDir = "/tmp"
+	}
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(logDir, 0o755); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create log directory: %w", err)
+	}
+	logPath := filepath.Join(logDir, fmt.Sprintf("dankinstall-%d.log", timestamp))
 
 	file, err := os.Create(logPath)
 	if err != nil {