diff --git a/crates/rds-cli/src/viewer_main.rs b/crates/rds-cli/src/viewer_main.rs
index 5dca607..7801cf0 100644
--- a/crates/rds-cli/src/viewer_main.rs
+++ b/crates/rds-cli/src/viewer_main.rs
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ async fn main() -> std::process::ExitCode {
 }
 
 async fn run(mut cli: Cli, matches: &clap::ArgMatches) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    let mut configured_resolution = None;
     let key_path = rds_net::default_key_path();
     let directory = match cli.control_dir.take() {
         Some(directory) => directory,
@@ -130,18 +131,13 @@ async fn run(mut cli: Cli, matches: &clap::ArgMatches) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
                 if cli.grant_file.is_none() {
                     cli.grant_file = config.grant_file;
                 }
-                if let Some(resolution) = config.resolution
-                    && matches.value_source("resolution") != Some(ValueSource::CommandLine)
-                {
-                    cli.options.resolution = resolution;
-                }
+                configured_resolution = config.resolution;
             }
             Err(error) if error.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => {}
             Err(error) => return Err(error.into()),
         }
     }
-    if !cli.options.headless && matches.value_source("resolution") != Some(ValueSource::CommandLine)
-    {
+    if configure_resolution(&mut cli.options, matches, configured_resolution) {
         let Some(height) = rds_desktop::render::choose_resolution() else {
             return Ok(());
         };
@@ -160,3 +156,59 @@ async fn run(mut cli: Cli, matches: &clap::ArgMatches) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         rds_cli::desktop::managed(&client, session, grant, cli.options).await
     }
 }
+
+/// Apply explicit quality choices before deciding whether native selection is
+/// needed. Command-line values override the persisted profile.
+fn configure_resolution(
+    options: &mut rds_cli::desktop::Options,
+    matches: &clap::ArgMatches,
+    configured: Option<rds_cli::desktop::Resolution>,
+) -> bool {
+    let explicit_cli = matches.value_source("resolution") == Some(ValueSource::CommandLine);
+    if !explicit_cli && let Some(resolution) = configured {
+        options.resolution = resolution;
+    }
+    !options.headless && !explicit_cli && configured.is_none()
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn configured_cli(args: &[&str], configured: Option<&str>) -> (Cli, bool) {
+        let matches = Cli::command().try_get_matches_from(args).unwrap();
+        let mut cli = Cli::from_arg_matches(&matches).unwrap();
+        let config: Config = serde_json::from_str(configured.unwrap_or("{}")).unwrap();
+        let picker = configure_resolution(&mut cli.options, &matches, config.resolution);
+        (cli, picker)
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn persisted_quality_is_applied_without_reopening_the_picker() {
+        for (profile, height) in [("hd", 720), ("full-hd", 1080), ("native", 0)] {
+            let json = format!(r#"{{"resolution":"{profile}"}}"#);
+            let (cli, picker) = configured_cli(&["rds-viewer"], Some(&json));
+            assert_eq!(cli.options.resolution.height(), height);
+            assert!(
+                !picker,
+                "a persisted profile must not be overwritten by a picker"
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn command_line_quality_overrides_the_persisted_profile() {
+        let (cli, picker) = configured_cli(
+            &["rds-viewer", "--resolution", "native"],
+            Some(r#"{"resolution":"hd"}"#),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(cli.options.resolution.height(), 0);
+        assert!(!picker);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn only_unconfigured_native_launches_need_the_picker() {
+        assert!(configured_cli(&["rds-viewer"], None).1);
+        assert!(!configured_cli(&["rds-viewer", "--headless"], None).1);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/docs/native-viewer.md b/docs/native-viewer.md
index fe16407..bfaa542 100644
--- a/docs/native-viewer.md
+++ b/docs/native-viewer.md
@@ -346,10 +346,11 @@ contains no endpoint identity; the normal private viewer configuration applies.
 
 ## Quality selection
 
-The macOS application presents a native quality chooser before opening its
-remote session. Full HD (1080p) is the default; HD (720p) and Original are also
-available. `--resolution full-hd|hd|native` skips the chooser for explicit CLI
-or automated launches. Output preserves aspect ratio and does not upscale a
+The macOS application presents a native quality chooser when no explicit
+profile is configured. Full HD (1080p) is the default; HD (720p) and Original are
+also available. `--resolution full-hd|hd|native` or a `resolution` value in
+`viewer.json` skips the chooser; the command-line value overrides the file.
+Headless runs never open the chooser. Output preserves aspect ratio and does not upscale a
 smaller source. This is encoded video geometry, not the local window's size.
 
 The additive `DesktopV3` greeting and `DesktopProfile` manager command carry the
diff --git a/docs/reports/rds-persisted-viewer-quality-20261007.md b/docs/reports/rds-persisted-viewer-quality-20261007.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..89908ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/reports/rds-persisted-viewer-quality-20261007.md
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# Persisted native viewer quality — 2026-10-07
+
+`viewer.json` already supported a typed `resolution` value. Startup applied it,
+then still opened the native picker because only the CLI value source was
+checked. A subsequent picker response could overwrite the persisted choice.
+
+Apply the CLI/file precedence before deciding whether a picker is needed.
+An explicit CLI profile wins, a persisted profile bypasses the picker, and
+headless execution never opens native UI. An unconfigured native launch keeps
+the existing chooser. No protocol, permission or remote-process behavior changes.
+
+The regression with the former picker condition failed for the intended reason.
+Tests cover every persisted profile, an explicit CLI override, an unconfigured
+native launch and headless execution. The public software CI remains required;
+no native pixel or WAN acceptance is implied by configuration tests.
+
+The existing [`ValueSource` API](https://docs.rs/clap/latest/clap/parser/enum.ValueSource.html)
+distinguishes a defaulted argument from a command-line choice. The JSON choice
+is an application source tracked separately; no new configuration mechanism is
+introduced. The API distinction predates the requested research boundary;
+this implementation observation is dated 2026-10-07.