diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 8ac17698..72f7f9eb 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 ## Unreleased
 
 ### Changed
-- The TUI runs **inline** by default (`alternate_screen` never). It does not enter the alternate screen on start; the real shell prompt stays in scrollback above the app. Opt in with `cortex --alternate-screen` or `[tui] alternate_screen = true`.
+- The TUI enters the **alternate screen** by default (`alternate_screen` always). Interactive launch takes the full viewport. Opt out with `cortex --no-alternate-screen` or `[tui] alternate_screen = false` to stay inline.
 - Empty-session splash is `Welcome to Cortex, the coding agent CLI` plus `v{package version} · / commands · @ files · ! shell · & cloud`. After the first user turn the splash is dropped (composer + footer only). No mascot, no painted `> cortex` shell lines.
 - Composer lock: empty is `> ` + white block at input col 0 + dim `Plan, search, build anything` after that cell (never a white rect after the placeholder). Blink-off (~530ms) hides the block so the placeholder starts at col 0. Typed copy is `#F5F5F5` with the block at the caret.
 
diff --git a/docs/configuration/config.md b/docs/configuration/config.md
index 104eb072..c85e84eb 100644
--- a/docs/configuration/config.md
+++ b/docs/configuration/config.md
@@ -150,9 +150,9 @@ max_bytes = 10000000
 [tui]
 animations = true
 notifications = true
-# Stay inline in the host terminal (default / never). Set true only to take
-# over the alternate screen buffer. Equivalent CLI flag: --alternate-screen
-alternate_screen = false
+# Enter the alternate screen buffer (default / always). Set false to stay
+# inline in the host terminal. Equivalent CLI flag: --no-alternate-screen
+alternate_screen = true
 
 [tui.theme]
 name = "dark"              # dark, light, ocean_dark, monokai
diff --git a/docs/guides/tui.md b/docs/guides/tui.md
index e913beb4..961ef887 100644
--- a/docs/guides/tui.md
+++ b/docs/guides/tui.md
@@ -16,26 +16,26 @@ cortex --profile work           # load a profile from config.toml
 The TUI needs a terminal on both stdin and stdout. If either is redirected it
 refuses to start and points you at [`cortex run` or `cortex exec`](exec.md).
 
-The session runs **inline** in the host terminal (`alternate_screen` is
-never on by default). Cortex does not enter the alternate screen buffer
-on start, so your shell prompt and the typed command stay visible above
-the app. The welcome splash is two lines:
+The session enters the **alternate screen** on start (`alternate_screen`
+is always on by default) so Cortex takes the full viewport. The welcome
+splash is two lines:
 `Welcome to **Cortex**, the coding agent CLI` then
 `v{version} · / commands · @ files · ! shell · & cloud`. It does
 not paint a fake shell prompt or working directory. After the first user
 turn the splash is dropped; an empty session is composer and footer only.
 
-To opt in to a full-screen alternate buffer:
+To stay inline in the host terminal (shell prompt remains in scrollback
+above the app):
 
 ```bash
-cortex --alternate-screen
+cortex --no-alternate-screen
 ```
 
 or in `~/.cortex/config.toml`:
 
 ```toml
 [tui]
-alternate_screen = true
+alternate_screen = false
 ```
 
 ## The session view
diff --git a/docs/media/tui-lock/README.md b/docs/media/tui-lock/README.md
index 723e6506..ebb4f088 100644
--- a/docs/media/tui-lock/README.md
+++ b/docs/media/tui-lock/README.md
@@ -39,7 +39,9 @@ word-level colour on a changed line.
 
 Splash copy in these frames is `Welcome to Cortex, the coding agent CLI`
 plus `v{CARGO_PKG_VERSION} · / commands · …`. After the first user turn,
-`session_empty` is composer and footer only.
+`session_empty` is composer and footer only. Captures are full-viewport
+(matching the default alternate-screen launch); they do not paint a fake
+`> cortex` prompt or cwd line.
 
 | File | Surface |
 |------|---------|
diff --git a/docs/reference/cli.md b/docs/reference/cli.md
index 96840b20..5ae56c6f 100644
--- a/docs/reference/cli.md
+++ b/docs/reference/cli.md
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ A positional prompt seeds that session. Without a terminal, use
 | `--add-dir <DIR>` | Extra writable directory; repeatable |
 | `-i`, `--image <PATH>` | Attach an image to the initial prompt |
 | `--search` | Enable web search |
-| `--alternate-screen` | Opt in to the alternate screen buffer. Default is inline (`never`): the host shell prompt stays visible above the app. Same as `[tui] alternate_screen = true`. |
+| `--alternate-screen` | Enter the alternate screen buffer. Default is always (`true`): Cortex takes the full viewport. Same as `[tui] alternate_screen = true`. |
+| `--no-alternate-screen` | Stay inline in the host terminal. Same as `[tui] alternate_screen = false`. |
 | `--max-agent-threads <N>` | Concurrent agent threads |
 | `--max-tool-threads <N>` | Concurrent tool executions |
 | `--command-timeout <SECONDS>` | Shell command timeout |
diff --git a/src/cortex-cli/src/cli/args.rs b/src/cortex-cli/src/cli/args.rs
index ee9a7b72..219c81d2 100644
--- a/src/cortex-cli/src/cli/args.rs
+++ b/src/cortex-cli/src/cli/args.rs
@@ -208,16 +208,27 @@ pub struct InteractiveArgs {
     #[arg(long = "search", default_value_t = false, help_heading = "Features")]
     pub web_search: bool,
 
-    /// Opt in to the alternate screen buffer. Default is **never** (inline):
-    /// the host shell prompt stays visible above the app. Same as
-    /// `[tui] alternate_screen = true`.
+    /// Enter the alternate screen buffer. Default is **always** (full
+    /// viewport). Same as `[tui] alternate_screen = true`. Use
+    /// `--no-alternate-screen` to stay inline.
     #[arg(
         long = "alternate-screen",
         default_value_t = false,
+        conflicts_with = "no_alternate_screen",
         help_heading = "Features"
     )]
     pub alternate_screen: bool,
 
+    /// Stay inline in the host terminal (never alternate screen). Same as
+    /// `[tui] alternate_screen = false`.
+    #[arg(
+        long = "no-alternate-screen",
+        default_value_t = false,
+        conflicts_with = "alternate_screen",
+        help_heading = "Features"
+    )]
+    pub no_alternate_screen: bool,
+
     /// Maximum number of concurrent agent threads
     #[arg(
         long = "max-agent-threads",
@@ -974,6 +985,8 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(args.add_dir.is_empty());
         assert!(args.images.is_empty());
         assert!(!args.web_search);
+        assert!(!args.alternate_screen);
+        assert!(!args.no_alternate_screen);
         assert_eq!(args.log_level, LogLevel::Info);
         assert!(!args.debug);
         assert!(args.prompt.is_empty());
@@ -1194,15 +1207,39 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn test_cli_alternate_screen_flag_defaults_off() {
+    fn test_cli_alternate_screen_flag_defaults_unset() {
         let cli = Cli::try_parse_from(["cortex"]).expect("should parse");
         assert!(
             !cli.interactive.alternate_screen,
-            "the flag is opt-in; default TUI is inline (never alt-screen)"
+            "the flag is unset unless passed; config default is always"
+        );
+        assert!(
+            !cli.interactive.no_alternate_screen,
+            "inline opt-out is unset unless --no-alternate-screen is passed"
         );
         let cli = Cli::try_parse_from(["cortex", "--alternate-screen"])
             .expect("should parse --alternate-screen");
         assert!(cli.interactive.alternate_screen);
+        assert!(!cli.interactive.no_alternate_screen);
+        let cli = Cli::try_parse_from(["cortex", "--no-alternate-screen"])
+            .expect("should parse --no-alternate-screen");
+        assert!(cli.interactive.no_alternate_screen);
+        assert!(!cli.interactive.alternate_screen);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_cli_alternate_screen_conflicts_with_no_alternate_screen() {
+        let result = Cli::try_parse_from(["cortex", "--alternate-screen", "--no-alternate-screen"]);
+        match result {
+            Err(err) => {
+                let rendered = err.to_string();
+                assert!(
+                    rendered.contains("cannot be used with") || rendered.contains("conflict"),
+                    "unexpected clap error: {rendered}"
+                );
+            }
+            Ok(_) => panic!("--alternate-screen and --no-alternate-screen must conflict"),
+        }
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/src/cortex-cli/src/cli/handlers.rs b/src/cortex-cli/src/cli/handlers.rs
index 5860af9d..4ecd15ec 100644
--- a/src/cortex-cli/src/cli/handlers.rs
+++ b/src/cortex-cli/src/cli/handlers.rs
@@ -109,12 +109,20 @@ async fn run_tui(args: InteractiveArgs) -> Result<()> {
             .as_ref()
             .map(|m| resolve_model_alias(m).to_string()),
         cwd: args.cwd.clone(),
-        alternate_screen: args.alternate_screen.then_some(true),
+        alternate_screen: if args.no_alternate_screen {
+            Some(false)
+        } else if args.alternate_screen {
+            Some(true)
+        } else {
+            None
+        },
         ..Default::default()
     })
     .unwrap_or_else(|_| cortex_engine::Config::default());
 
-    if args.alternate_screen {
+    if args.no_alternate_screen {
+        config.alternate_screen = false;
+    } else if args.alternate_screen {
         config.alternate_screen = true;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/cortex-engine/src/config/mod.rs b/src/cortex-engine/src/config/mod.rs
index 199f8502..ba5ebb9a 100644
--- a/src/cortex-engine/src/config/mod.rs
+++ b/src/cortex-engine/src/config/mod.rs
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ pub struct Config {
     pub disable_paste_burst: bool,
     /// Enable TUI animations.
     pub animations: bool,
-    /// Opt in to the alternate screen buffer. Default is inline (`never`).
+    /// Enter the alternate screen buffer. Default is always (`true`).
     pub alternate_screen: bool,
     /// Current agent profile.
     pub current_agent: Option<String>,
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ impl Default for Config {
             check_for_update_on_startup: true,
             disable_paste_burst: false,
             animations: true,
-            alternate_screen: false,
+            alternate_screen: true,
             current_agent: None,
             permission: PermissionConfig::default(),
             small_model: None, // Auto-detected based on available providers
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ impl Config {
                 toml.tui
                     .as_ref()
                     .map(|t| t.alternate_screen)
-                    .unwrap_or(false)
+                    .unwrap_or_else(|| TuiConfig::default().alternate_screen)
             }),
             current_agent: toml.current_agent,
             permission: toml.permission,
@@ -320,7 +320,8 @@ pub struct ConfigOverrides {
     pub additional_writable_roots: Vec<PathBuf>,
     /// Temperature override from CLI (0.0-2.0).
     pub temperature: Option<f32>,
-    /// When `Some(true)`, enter the alternate screen. Default (None/false) is inline.
+    /// When `Some`, force alternate screen on (`true`) or inline (`false`).
+    /// `None` keeps the config default (always).
     pub alternate_screen: Option<bool>,
 }
 
@@ -330,24 +331,24 @@ mod alternate_screen_tests {
     use types::ConfigToml;
 
     #[test]
-    fn from_toml_keeps_alternate_screen_off_by_default() {
+    fn from_toml_keeps_alternate_screen_on_by_default() {
         assert!(
-            !Config::default().alternate_screen,
-            "default must be inline (never alt-screen)"
+            Config::default().alternate_screen,
+            "default must enter the alternate screen (always)"
         );
         let toml: ConfigToml = toml::from_str("").unwrap();
         let cfg = Config::from_toml(toml, ConfigOverrides::default(), PathBuf::from("/tmp"));
         assert!(
-            !cfg.alternate_screen,
-            "default must be inline (never alt-screen)"
+            cfg.alternate_screen,
+            "default must enter the alternate screen (always)"
         );
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn from_toml_honors_tui_alternate_screen_opt_in() {
-        let toml: ConfigToml = toml::from_str("[tui]\nalternate_screen = true\n").unwrap();
+    fn from_toml_honors_tui_alternate_screen_opt_out() {
+        let toml: ConfigToml = toml::from_str("[tui]\nalternate_screen = false\n").unwrap();
         let cfg = Config::from_toml(toml, ConfigOverrides::default(), PathBuf::from("/tmp"));
-        assert!(cfg.alternate_screen);
+        assert!(!cfg.alternate_screen);
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -363,4 +364,18 @@ mod alternate_screen_tests {
         );
         assert!(cfg.alternate_screen);
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn cli_override_can_force_inline() {
+        let toml: ConfigToml = toml::from_str("[tui]\nalternate_screen = true\n").unwrap();
+        let cfg = Config::from_toml(
+            toml,
+            ConfigOverrides {
+                alternate_screen: Some(false),
+                ..Default::default()
+            },
+            PathBuf::from("/tmp"),
+        );
+        assert!(!cfg.alternate_screen);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/cortex-engine/src/config/types.rs b/src/cortex-engine/src/config/types.rs
index 5b24b6d9..107a8455 100644
--- a/src/cortex-engine/src/config/types.rs
+++ b/src/cortex-engine/src/config/types.rs
@@ -327,8 +327,8 @@ pub enum ReasoningSummary {
 pub struct TuiConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_animations")]
     pub animations: bool,
-    /// Default is **never** (inline). The host shell prompt stays visible
-    /// above the app. Set `true` only to take over the alternate screen.
+    /// Default is **always** (full viewport). Set `false` to stay inline
+    /// so the host shell prompt remains visible above the app.
     #[serde(default = "default_alternate_screen")]
     pub alternate_screen: bool,
     #[serde(default)]
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ impl Default for TuiConfig {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
             animations: true,
-            alternate_screen: false,
+            alternate_screen: true,
             notifications: NotificationsConfig::default(),
             theme: ThemeConfig::default(),
         }
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ fn default_animations() -> bool {
 }
 
 fn default_alternate_screen() -> bool {
-    false
+    true
 }
 
 /// Theme configuration.
@@ -488,20 +488,20 @@ mod tui_alternate_screen_tests {
     use super::*;
 
     #[test]
-    fn tui_alternate_screen_defaults_never() {
+    fn tui_alternate_screen_defaults_always() {
         assert!(
-            !TuiConfig::default().alternate_screen,
-            "default must be inline (never alt-screen)"
+            TuiConfig::default().alternate_screen,
+            "default must enter the alternate screen (always)"
         );
 
         let parsed: ConfigToml = toml::from_str("").expect("empty config");
         assert!(parsed.tui.is_none());
 
         let parsed: ConfigToml = toml::from_str("[tui]\n").expect("empty tui table");
-        assert!(!parsed.tui.expect("tui").alternate_screen);
+        assert!(parsed.tui.expect("tui").alternate_screen);
 
         let parsed: ConfigToml =
-            toml::from_str("[tui]\nalternate_screen = true\n").expect("opt-in");
-        assert!(parsed.tui.expect("tui").alternate_screen);
+            toml::from_str("[tui]\nalternate_screen = false\n").expect("opt-out");
+        assert!(!parsed.tui.expect("tui").alternate_screen);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/cortex-tui/src/lock_proof.rs b/src/cortex-tui/src/lock_proof.rs
index c9a6fa41..3f8ce16e 100644
--- a/src/cortex-tui/src/lock_proof.rs
+++ b/src/cortex-tui/src/lock_proof.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
 //!
 //! Renders the real session, login, palette, and settings widgets through
 //! [`cortex_tui_capture::MockTerminal`] and writes ANSI frames a rasteriser
-//! turns into PNGs.
+//! turns into PNGs. Frames are full-viewport (40×12 and 120×40), matching
+//! the default alternate-screen launch — no fake `> cortex` / cwd chrome.
 
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 
@@ -2297,6 +2298,11 @@ mod tests {
                 );
             }
             assert!(!frame.plain.contains("▄█▀▀▀▀█▄"), "{}", frame.plain);
+            assert!(
+                !frame.plain.contains("> cortex"),
+                "splash must not paint a fake shell prompt at {size:?}:\n{}",
+                frame.plain
+            );
             assert_no_junk(&frame.plain);
         }
         let wide = render_lock_scene("splash", 120, 40).expect("splash wide");
diff --git a/src/cortex-tui/src/runner/app_runner/runner.rs b/src/cortex-tui/src/runner/app_runner/runner.rs
index e9a2111e..49506186 100644
--- a/src/cortex-tui/src/runner/app_runner/runner.rs
+++ b/src/cortex-tui/src/runner/app_runner/runner.rs
@@ -79,9 +79,9 @@ impl AppRunner {
 
     /// Create a new app runner with the given configuration.
     ///
-    /// The TUI starts **inline** (never alternate screen) so the host shell
-    /// prompt stays visible above the app. Set `tui.alternate_screen = true`
-    /// to opt in to the alternate screen buffer.
+    /// The TUI starts on the **alternate screen** (always) so the session
+    /// takes the full viewport. Set `tui.alternate_screen = false` or pass
+    /// `--no-alternate-screen` to stay inline.
     ///
     /// # Arguments
     ///
@@ -96,8 +96,6 @@ impl AppRunner {
     pub fn new(config: Config) -> Self {
         let terminal_options = if config.alternate_screen {
             TerminalOptions::default()
-                .alternate_screen(true)
-                .clear_on_start(true)
         } else {
             TerminalOptions::inline()
         };
@@ -1054,20 +1052,20 @@ mod tests {
     fn test_app_runner_terminal_options() {
         let config = Config::default();
 
-        // Default: inline (never alternate screen)
+        // Default: alternate screen (always)
         let runner = AppRunner::new(config.clone());
         assert!(
-            !runner.terminal_options.alternate_screen,
-            "default must be inline (never alt-screen)"
+            runner.terminal_options.alternate_screen,
+            "default must enter the alternate screen (always)"
         );
-        assert!(!runner.terminal_options.clear_on_start);
-
-        let mut fullscreen = config.clone();
-        fullscreen.alternate_screen = true;
-        let runner = AppRunner::new(fullscreen);
-        assert!(runner.terminal_options.alternate_screen);
         assert!(runner.terminal_options.clear_on_start);
 
+        let mut inline = config.clone();
+        inline.alternate_screen = false;
+        let runner = AppRunner::new(inline);
+        assert!(!runner.terminal_options.alternate_screen);
+        assert!(!runner.terminal_options.clear_on_start);
+
         // Custom options
         let custom_options = TerminalOptions::new()
             .alternate_screen(false)
diff --git a/src/cortex-tui/src/runner/terminal.rs b/src/cortex-tui/src/runner/terminal.rs
index 5edb6626..6cd6a230 100644
--- a/src/cortex-tui/src/runner/terminal.rs
+++ b/src/cortex-tui/src/runner/terminal.rs
@@ -9,13 +9,13 @@
 //! ```rust,ignore
 //! use cortex_tui::runner::terminal::{CortexTerminal, TerminalOptions};
 //!
-//! // Create with default options (inline, no alternate screen)
+//! // Create with default options (alternate screen, full viewport)
 //! let mut terminal = CortexTerminal::new()?;
 //!
 //! // Or with custom options
 //! let mut terminal = CortexTerminal::with_options(
 //!     TerminalOptions::new()
-//!         .alternate_screen(true)
+//!         .alternate_screen(false)
 //!         .mouse_capture(false)
 //!         .title("My App")
 //! )?;
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ impl Drop for TerminalGuard {
 /// Configuration options for terminal initialization.
 ///
 /// This struct uses the builder pattern to allow flexible configuration
-/// of terminal features. Alternate screen is **off** by default (inline).
+/// of terminal features. Alternate screen is **on** by default (always).
 ///
 /// # Example
 ///
@@ -146,13 +146,13 @@ pub struct TerminalOptions {
 
 impl Default for TerminalOptions {
     fn default() -> Self {
-        // Interactive start is inline: never enter the alternate screen.
+        // Interactive start takes the full viewport (always alternate screen).
         Self {
-            alternate_screen: false,
+            alternate_screen: true,
             mouse_capture: true,
             bracketed_paste: true,
             title: Some("Cortex".to_string()),
-            clear_on_start: false,
+            clear_on_start: true,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -160,12 +160,12 @@ impl Default for TerminalOptions {
 impl TerminalOptions {
     /// Create a new `TerminalOptions` with default settings.
     ///
-    /// Default settings stay **inline** (never alternate screen):
-    /// - Alternate screen: off (set `[tui] alternate_screen = true` to opt in)
+    /// Default settings enter the **alternate screen** (always):
+    /// - Alternate screen: on (set `[tui] alternate_screen = false` to stay inline)
     /// - Mouse capture: enabled
     /// - Bracketed paste: enabled
     /// - Title: "Cortex"
-    /// - Clear on start: off
+    /// - Clear on start: on
     pub fn new() -> Self {
         Self::default()
     }
@@ -265,10 +265,10 @@ pub struct CortexTerminal {
 }
 
 impl CortexTerminal {
-    /// Create a new terminal with default **inline** mode (no alternate screen).
+    /// Create a new terminal with default **alternate screen** mode.
     ///
     /// This initializes the terminal with:
-    /// - Inline buffer (host shell prompt stays visible above the app)
+    /// - Alternate screen buffer (full viewport)
     /// - Mouse capture
     /// - Bracketed paste mode
     /// - Hidden cursor
@@ -987,13 +987,13 @@ mod tests {
     fn test_terminal_options_default() {
         let options = TerminalOptions::default();
         assert!(
-            !options.alternate_screen,
-            "default must be inline (never alt-screen)"
+            options.alternate_screen,
+            "default must enter the alternate screen (always)"
         );
         assert!(options.mouse_capture);
         assert!(options.bracketed_paste);
         assert_eq!(options.title, Some("Cortex".to_string()));
-        assert!(!options.clear_on_start);
+        assert!(options.clear_on_start);
     }
 
     #[test]