diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 82f9083d..41d04cc9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ Browse sibling episode files and the active mpv queue in one overlay modal. Open
   </tr>
   <tr>
     <td><b>alass / ffsubsync</b></td>
-    <td>Automatic subtitle retiming — requires <code>alass</code> or <code>ffsubsync</code> on your <code>PATH</code> (optional; subtitle syncing is disabled without them)</td>
+    <td>Manual subtitle retiming — requires <code>alass</code> or <code>ffsubsync</code> on your <code>PATH</code> (optional; subtitle syncing is disabled without them)</td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
     <td><b>WebSocket</b></td>
diff --git a/changes/config-load-preserves-user-files.md b/changes/config-load-preserves-user-files.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5ab26e50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/config-load-preserves-user-files.md
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+type: fixed
+area: config
+
+- Preserved user config files during legacy config compatibility handling.
diff --git a/changes/default-opt-in-warmup-name-highlighting.md b/changes/default-opt-in-warmup-name-highlighting.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9c326dc3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/default-opt-in-warmup-name-highlighting.md
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+type: changed
+area: config
+
+- Defaulted Jellyfin remote-session startup warmup and character-name subtitle highlighting to off.
diff --git a/changes/subsync-manual-only.md b/changes/subsync-manual-only.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..41cb3fbd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/subsync-manual-only.md
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+type: changed
+area: subtitles
+
+- Subsync now always opens the manual picker and the `subsync.defaultMode` config/settings option has been removed.
diff --git a/config.example.jsonc b/config.example.jsonc
index 13c34826..5d6059ad 100644
--- a/config.example.jsonc
+++ b/config.example.jsonc
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@
     "mecab": true, // Warm up MeCab tokenizer at startup. Values: true | false
     "yomitanExtension": true, // Warm up Yomitan extension at startup. Values: true | false
     "subtitleDictionaries": true, // Warm up subtitle dictionaries at startup. Values: true | false
-    "jellyfinRemoteSession": true // Warm up Jellyfin remote session at startup. Values: true | false
+    "jellyfinRemoteSession": false // Warm up Jellyfin remote session at startup. Values: true | false
   }, // Background warmup controls for MeCab, Yomitan, dictionaries, and Jellyfin session.
 
   // ==========================================
@@ -336,12 +336,11 @@
   }, // Dual subtitle track options.
 
   // ==========================================
-  // Auto Subtitle Sync
+  // Subtitle Sync
   // Subsync engine and executable paths.
   // Hot-reload: subsync changes apply to the next subtitle sync run.
   // ==========================================
   "subsync": {
-    "defaultMode": "auto", // Subsync default mode. Values: auto | manual
     "alass_path": "", // Optional absolute path to the alass binary used by subsync. Leave empty to auto-discover from PATH.
     "ffsubsync_path": "", // Optional absolute path to the ffsubsync binary used by subsync. Leave empty to auto-discover from PATH.
     "ffmpeg_path": "", // Optional absolute path to the ffmpeg binary used by subsync. Leave empty to auto-discover from PATH.
@@ -384,7 +383,7 @@
     "preserveLineBreaks": false, // Preserve line breaks in visible overlay subtitle rendering. When false, line breaks are flattened to spaces for a single-line flow. Values: true | false
     "autoPauseVideoOnHover": true, // Automatically pause mpv playback while hovering subtitle text, then resume on leave. Values: true | false
     "autoPauseVideoOnYomitanPopup": true, // Automatically pause mpv playback while Yomitan popup is open, then resume when popup closes. Values: true | false
-    "nameMatchEnabled": true, // Enable subtitle token coloring for matches from the SubMiner character dictionary. Values: true | false
+    "nameMatchEnabled": false, // Enable subtitle token coloring for matches from the SubMiner character dictionary. Values: true | false
     "nameMatchColor": "#f5bde6", // Hex color used when a subtitle token matches an entry from the SubMiner character dictionary.
     "nPlusOneColor": "#c6a0f6", // Color used for the single N+1 target token subtitle highlight.
     "knownWordColor": "#a6da95", // Color used for known-word subtitle highlights.
diff --git a/docs-site/character-dictionary.md b/docs-site/character-dictionary.md
index 82e1857e..9de139a2 100644
--- a/docs-site/character-dictionary.md
+++ b/docs-site/character-dictionary.md
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ Name matching runs inside Yomitan's scanning pipeline during subtitle tokenizati
 1. Yomitan receives subtitle text and scans for dictionary matches.
 2. Entries from "SubMiner Character Dictionary" are checked with exact primary-source matching — the token must match the entry's `originalText` with `isPrimary: true` and `matchType: 'exact'`.
 3. Matched tokens are flagged `isNameMatch: true` and forwarded to the renderer.
-4. The renderer applies the name-match highlight color (default: `#f5bde6`).
+4. If `subtitleStyle.nameMatchEnabled` is enabled, the renderer applies the name-match highlight color (default: `#f5bde6`).
 
 Name matches are visually distinct from [N+1 targeting, frequency highlighting, and JLPT tags](/subtitle-annotations) so you can tell at a glance whether a highlighted word is a character name or a vocabulary target.
 
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ Name matches are visually distinct from [N+1 targeting, frequency highlighting,
 
 | Option                           | Default   | Description                        |
 | -------------------------------- | --------- | ---------------------------------- |
-| `subtitleStyle.nameMatchEnabled` | `true`    | Toggle character-name highlighting |
+| `subtitleStyle.nameMatchEnabled` | `false`   | Toggle character-name highlighting |
 | `subtitleStyle.nameMatchColor`   | `#f5bde6` | Highlight color for matched names  |
 
 ## Dictionary Entries
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ merged.zip
 | `anilist.characterDictionary.collapsibleSections.description`          | `false`   | Start Description section expanded                              |
 | `anilist.characterDictionary.collapsibleSections.characterInformation` | `false`   | Start Character Information section expanded                    |
 | `anilist.characterDictionary.collapsibleSections.voicedBy`             | `false`   | Start Voiced By section expanded                                |
-| `subtitleStyle.nameMatchEnabled`                                       | `true`    | Toggle character-name highlighting in subtitles                 |
+| `subtitleStyle.nameMatchEnabled`                                       | `false`   | Toggle character-name highlighting in subtitles                 |
 | `subtitleStyle.nameMatchColor`                                         | `#f5bde6` | Highlight color for character-name matches                      |
 
 ## Reference Implementation
diff --git a/docs-site/configuration.md b/docs-site/configuration.md
index 55893d4e..a192951d 100644
--- a/docs-site/configuration.md
+++ b/docs-site/configuration.md
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ The configuration file includes several main sections:
 **External Integrations**
 
 - [**Jimaku**](#jimaku) - Jimaku API configuration and defaults
-- [**Auto Subtitle Sync**](#auto-subtitle-sync) - Sync current subtitle with `alass`/`ffsubsync`
+- [**Subtitle Sync**](#subtitle-sync) - Sync current subtitle with `alass`/`ffsubsync`
 - [**AniList**](#anilist) - Optional post-watch progress updates
 - [**Yomitan**](#yomitan) - Reuse an external read-only Yomitan profile via `yomitan.externalProfilePath`
 - [**Jellyfin**](#jellyfin) - Optional Jellyfin auth, library listing, and playback launch
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ Control which startup warmups run in the background versus deferring to first re
     "mecab": true,
     "yomitanExtension": true,
     "subtitleDictionaries": true,
-    "jellyfinRemoteSession": true
+    "jellyfinRemoteSession": false
   }
 }
 ```
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ Control which startup warmups run in the background versus deferring to first re
 | `subtitleDictionaries`  | `true`, `false` | Warm up JLPT + frequency dictionaries at startup                                                  |
 | `jellyfinRemoteSession` | `true`, `false` | Warm up Jellyfin remote session at startup (still requires Jellyfin remote auto-connect settings) |
 
-Defaults warm everything (`true` for all toggles, `lowPowerMode: false`). Setting a warmup toggle to `false` defers that work until first usage.
+Defaults warm local tokenizer/dictionary work (`true` for `mecab`, `yomitanExtension`, and `subtitleDictionaries`) with `lowPowerMode: false`; Jellyfin remote session warmup is opt-in (`false` by default). Setting a warmup toggle to `false` defers that work until first usage.
 
 ### WebSocket Server
 
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ See `config.example.jsonc` for detailed configuration options.
 | `autoPauseVideoOnYomitanPopup`     | boolean     | Pause playback while the Yomitan popup is open, then resume when the popup closes (`true` by default).                     |
 | `hoverTokenColor`                  | string      | Hex color used for hovered subtitle token highlight in mpv (default: catppuccin mauve)                                     |
 | `hoverTokenBackgroundColor`        | string      | CSS color used for hovered subtitle token background highlight (default: `"transparent"`); `hoverBackground` is accepted as an alias |
-| `nameMatchEnabled`                 | boolean     | Enable subtitle token coloring for matches from the SubMiner character dictionary (`true` by default)                      |
+| `nameMatchEnabled`                 | boolean     | Enable subtitle token coloring for matches from the SubMiner character dictionary (`false` by default)                     |
 | `nameMatchColor`                   | string      | Hex color used for subtitle tokens matched from the SubMiner character dictionary (default: `#f5bde6`)                     |
 | `knownWordColor`                   | string      | Hex color used for known-word subtitle highlights (default: `#a6da95`)                                                     |
 | `nPlusOneColor`                    | string      | Hex color used for the single N+1 target subtitle highlight (default: `#c6a0f6`)                                           |
@@ -1111,17 +1111,16 @@ Jimaku is rate limited; if you hit a limit, SubMiner will surface the retry dela
 
 Set `openBrowser` to `false` to only print the URL without opening a browser.
 
-### Auto Subtitle Sync
+### Subtitle Sync
 
-Sync the active subtitle track using `alass` (preferred) or `ffsubsync`. Both are **optional external tools** that must be installed separately and available on your `PATH` (or configured via the path options below). Subtitle syncing is silently skipped if neither is found.
+Sync the active subtitle track from the overlay picker using `alass` or `ffsubsync`. Both are **optional external tools** that must be installed separately and available on your `PATH` (or configured via the path options below).
 
 - [`alass`](https://github.com/kaegi/alass) — fast, audio-independent sync using a secondary subtitle as reference
-- [`ffsubsync`](https://github.com/smacke/ffsubsync) — audio-based sync using the video file as reference (fallback)
+- [`ffsubsync`](https://github.com/smacke/ffsubsync) — audio-based sync using the video file as reference
 
 ```json
 {
   "subsync": {
-    "defaultMode": "auto",
     "alass_path": "",
     "ffsubsync_path": "",
     "ffmpeg_path": "",
@@ -1132,7 +1131,6 @@ Sync the active subtitle track using `alass` (preferred) or `ffsubsync`. Both ar
 
 | Option           | Values               | Description                                                                                                               |
 | ---------------- | -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| `defaultMode`    | `"auto"`, `"manual"` | `auto`: try `alass` against secondary subtitle, then fallback to `ffsubsync`; `manual`: open overlay picker               |
 | `alass_path`     | string path          | Path to `alass` executable. Empty or `null` resolves from `PATH`. `alass` must be installed separately.                   |
 | `ffsubsync_path` | string path          | Path to `ffsubsync` executable. Empty or `null` resolves from `PATH`. `ffsubsync` must be installed separately.           |
 | `ffmpeg_path`    | string path          | Path to `ffmpeg` (used for internal subtitle extraction). Empty or `null` falls back to `/usr/bin/ffmpeg`.                |
diff --git a/docs-site/demos.md b/docs-site/demos.md
index a9f5a1f6..ae034e5c 100644
--- a/docs-site/demos.md
+++ b/docs-site/demos.md
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ Mine vocabulary cards from Yomitan or directly from subtitle lines. SubMiner aut
 
 ## Subtitle Download & Sync
 
-Search and download subtitles from Jimaku, then automatically synchronize them with alass or ffsubsync — all from within SubMiner.
+Search and download subtitles from Jimaku, then retime them with alass or ffsubsync — all from within SubMiner.
 
 <!-- <video controls playsinline preload="metadata" :poster="withBase(`/assets/demos/subtitle-sync-poster.jpg?v=${v}`)">
   <source :src="withBase(`/assets/demos/subtitle-sync.webm?v=${v}`)" type="video/webm" />
diff --git a/docs-site/index.md b/docs-site/index.md
index 49c83fd5..6326687e 100644
--- a/docs-site/index.md
+++ b/docs-site/index.md
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ features:
       src: /assets/subtitle-download.svg
       alt: Subtitle download icon
     title: Subtitle Download & Sync
-    details: Search and pull subtitles from Jimaku, then auto-sync timing with alass or ffsubsync — all from the overlay.
+    details: Search and pull subtitles from Jimaku, then retime subtitles with alass or ffsubsync — all from the overlay.
     link: /jimaku-integration
     linkText: Jimaku integration
   - icon:
diff --git a/docs-site/installation.md b/docs-site/installation.md
index 78fa9d1d..a8047d28 100644
--- a/docs-site/installation.md
+++ b/docs-site/installation.md
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ Only **mpv** is strictly required to run SubMiner. Everything else enhances the
 | ffmpegthumbnailer    | Optional    | Video thumbnail generation for the picker.                                                                       |
 | guessit              | Optional    | Better AniSkip title/season/episode parsing.                                                                     |
 | alass                | Optional    | Subtitle sync engine (preferred). Disabled without alass or ffsubsync.                                           |
-| ffsubsync            | Optional    | Subtitle sync engine (fallback). Disabled without alass or ffsubsync.                                            |
+| ffsubsync            | Optional    | Audio-based subtitle sync engine. Disabled without alass or ffsubsync.                                           |
 | fuse2                | Linux only  | Required to run the AppImage.                                                                                    |
 
 ### Linux
diff --git a/docs-site/public/config.example.jsonc b/docs-site/public/config.example.jsonc
index 13c34826..5d6059ad 100644
--- a/docs-site/public/config.example.jsonc
+++ b/docs-site/public/config.example.jsonc
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@
     "mecab": true, // Warm up MeCab tokenizer at startup. Values: true | false
     "yomitanExtension": true, // Warm up Yomitan extension at startup. Values: true | false
     "subtitleDictionaries": true, // Warm up subtitle dictionaries at startup. Values: true | false
-    "jellyfinRemoteSession": true // Warm up Jellyfin remote session at startup. Values: true | false
+    "jellyfinRemoteSession": false // Warm up Jellyfin remote session at startup. Values: true | false
   }, // Background warmup controls for MeCab, Yomitan, dictionaries, and Jellyfin session.
 
   // ==========================================
@@ -336,12 +336,11 @@
   }, // Dual subtitle track options.
 
   // ==========================================
-  // Auto Subtitle Sync
+  // Subtitle Sync
   // Subsync engine and executable paths.
   // Hot-reload: subsync changes apply to the next subtitle sync run.
   // ==========================================
   "subsync": {
-    "defaultMode": "auto", // Subsync default mode. Values: auto | manual
     "alass_path": "", // Optional absolute path to the alass binary used by subsync. Leave empty to auto-discover from PATH.
     "ffsubsync_path": "", // Optional absolute path to the ffsubsync binary used by subsync. Leave empty to auto-discover from PATH.
     "ffmpeg_path": "", // Optional absolute path to the ffmpeg binary used by subsync. Leave empty to auto-discover from PATH.
@@ -384,7 +383,7 @@
     "preserveLineBreaks": false, // Preserve line breaks in visible overlay subtitle rendering. When false, line breaks are flattened to spaces for a single-line flow. Values: true | false
     "autoPauseVideoOnHover": true, // Automatically pause mpv playback while hovering subtitle text, then resume on leave. Values: true | false
     "autoPauseVideoOnYomitanPopup": true, // Automatically pause mpv playback while Yomitan popup is open, then resume when popup closes. Values: true | false
-    "nameMatchEnabled": true, // Enable subtitle token coloring for matches from the SubMiner character dictionary. Values: true | false
+    "nameMatchEnabled": false, // Enable subtitle token coloring for matches from the SubMiner character dictionary. Values: true | false
     "nameMatchColor": "#f5bde6", // Hex color used when a subtitle token matches an entry from the SubMiner character dictionary.
     "nPlusOneColor": "#c6a0f6", // Color used for the single N+1 target token subtitle highlight.
     "knownWordColor": "#a6da95", // Color used for known-word subtitle highlights.
diff --git a/docs-site/subtitle-annotations.md b/docs-site/subtitle-annotations.md
index b9e81991..d068d794 100644
--- a/docs-site/subtitle-annotations.md
+++ b/docs-site/subtitle-annotations.md
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ Character-name matches are built from the active merged SubMiner character dicti
 
 | Option                           | Default   | Description                              |
 | -------------------------------- | --------- | ---------------------------------------- |
-| `subtitleStyle.nameMatchEnabled` | `true`    | Enable character-name token highlighting |
+| `subtitleStyle.nameMatchEnabled` | `false`   | Enable character-name token highlighting |
 | `subtitleStyle.nameMatchColor`   | `#f5bde6` | Color used for character-name matches    |
 
 For full details on dictionary generation, name variant expansion, auto-sync lifecycle, and configuration, see the dedicated [Character Dictionary](/character-dictionary) page.
diff --git a/docs-site/troubleshooting.md b/docs-site/troubleshooting.md
index df928ca8..3b2bb628 100644
--- a/docs-site/troubleshooting.md
+++ b/docs-site/troubleshooting.md
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ Install ffsubsync or configure the path:
 
 **"Subtitle synchronization failed"**
 
-SubMiner tries alass first, then falls back to ffsubsync. If both fail:
+If subtitle sync fails:
 
 - Ensure the reference subtitle track exists in the video (alass requires a source track).
 - Check that `ffmpeg` is available (used to extract the internal subtitle track).
diff --git a/src/config/config.test.ts b/src/config/config.test.ts
index cb58e9bc..ff80ac77 100644
--- a/src/config/config.test.ts
+++ b/src/config/config.test.ts
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ test('loads defaults when config is missing', () => {
   assert.equal(config.startupWarmups.mecab, true);
   assert.equal(config.startupWarmups.yomitanExtension, true);
   assert.equal(config.startupWarmups.subtitleDictionaries, true);
-  assert.equal(config.startupWarmups.jellyfinRemoteSession, true);
+  assert.equal(config.startupWarmups.jellyfinRemoteSession, false);
   assert.equal(config.shortcuts.markAudioCard, 'CommandOrControl+Shift+A');
   assert.equal(config.shortcuts.openCharacterDictionary, 'CommandOrControl+Alt+A');
   assert.equal(config.shortcuts.toggleSubtitleSidebar, 'Backslash');
@@ -222,12 +222,10 @@ test('throws actionable startup parse error for malformed config at construction
   );
 });
 
-test('migrates legacy subtitle appearance options into css declaration objects on load', () => {
+test('resolves legacy subtitle appearance options without rewriting config on load', () => {
   const dir = makeTempDir();
   const configPath = path.join(dir, 'config.jsonc');
-  fs.writeFileSync(
-    configPath,
-    `{
+  const originalContent = `{
       "subtitleStyle": {
         "fontSize": 42,
         "fontColor": "#ffffff",
@@ -251,63 +249,29 @@ test('migrates legacy subtitle appearance options into css declaration objects o
           "font-size": "19px"
         }
       }
-    }`,
-    'utf-8',
-  );
+    }`;
+  fs.writeFileSync(configPath, originalContent, 'utf-8');
 
   const service = new ConfigService(dir);
-  const parsed = parseConfigContent(configPath, fs.readFileSync(configPath, 'utf-8')) as {
-    subtitleStyle: {
-      fontSize?: unknown;
-      fontColor?: unknown;
-      hoverTokenColor?: unknown;
-      hoverTokenBackgroundColor?: unknown;
-      css?: Record<string, string>;
-      secondary?: {
-        fontSize?: unknown;
-        fontColor?: unknown;
-        css?: Record<string, string>;
-      };
-    };
-    subtitleSidebar: {
-      fontFamily?: unknown;
-      fontSize?: unknown;
-      textColor?: unknown;
-      timestampColor?: unknown;
-      css?: Record<string, string>;
-    };
-  };
+  assert.equal(fs.readFileSync(configPath, 'utf-8'), originalContent);
 
-  assert.deepEqual(parsed.subtitleStyle.css, {
+  assert.deepEqual(service.getConfig().subtitleStyle.css, {
     color: '#ffffff',
     'font-size': '44px',
     '--subtitle-hover-token-color': '#abcdef',
     '--subtitle-hover-token-background-color': 'transparent',
     'text-wrap': 'balance',
   });
-  assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(parsed.subtitleStyle, 'fontSize'), false);
-  assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(parsed.subtitleStyle, 'fontColor'), false);
-  assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(parsed.subtitleStyle, 'hoverTokenColor'), false);
-  assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(parsed.subtitleStyle, 'hoverTokenBackgroundColor'), false);
-  assert.deepEqual(parsed.subtitleStyle.secondary?.css, {
+  assert.deepEqual(service.getConfig().subtitleStyle.secondary.css, {
     color: '#bbbbbb',
     'font-size': '28px',
   });
-  assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(parsed.subtitleStyle.secondary ?? {}, 'fontSize'), false);
-  assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(parsed.subtitleStyle.secondary ?? {}, 'fontColor'), false);
-  assert.deepEqual(parsed.subtitleSidebar.css, {
+  assert.deepEqual(service.getConfig().subtitleSidebar.css, {
     'font-family': 'M PLUS 1, sans-serif',
     color: '#dddddd',
     'font-size': '19px',
     '--subtitle-sidebar-timestamp-color': '#aaaaaa',
   });
-  assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(parsed.subtitleSidebar, 'fontFamily'), false);
-  assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(parsed.subtitleSidebar, 'fontSize'), false);
-  assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(parsed.subtitleSidebar, 'textColor'), false);
-  assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(parsed.subtitleSidebar, 'timestampColor'), false);
-  assert.equal(service.getConfig().subtitleStyle.css['font-size'], '44px');
-  assert.equal(service.getConfig().subtitleStyle.secondary.css['font-size'], '28px');
-  assert.equal(service.getConfig().subtitleSidebar.css['font-size'], '19px');
 });
 
 test('parses subtitleStyle.preserveLineBreaks and warns on invalid values', () => {
@@ -2067,12 +2031,10 @@ test('ignores invalid legacy ankiConnect n+1 color value after migration attempt
   assert.ok(warnings.some((warning) => warning.path === 'ankiConnect.knownWords.color'));
 });
 
-test('migrates legacy ankiConnect n+1 color value to subtitleStyle', () => {
+test('resolves legacy ankiConnect n+1 color value without rewriting config', () => {
   const dir = makeTempDir();
   const configPath = path.join(dir, 'config.jsonc');
-  fs.writeFileSync(
-    configPath,
-    `{
+  const originalContent = `{
       "ankiConnect": {
         "nPlusOne": {
           "nPlusOne": "#c6a0f6"
@@ -2081,23 +2043,15 @@ test('migrates legacy ankiConnect n+1 color value to subtitleStyle', () => {
           "color": "#a6da95"
         }
       }
-    }`,
-    'utf-8',
-  );
+    }`;
+  fs.writeFileSync(configPath, originalContent, 'utf-8');
 
   const service = new ConfigService(dir);
   const config = service.getConfig();
 
   assert.equal(config.subtitleStyle.nPlusOneColor, '#c6a0f6');
   assert.equal(config.subtitleStyle.knownWordColor, '#a6da95');
-
-  const parsed = parseConfigContent(configPath, fs.readFileSync(configPath, 'utf-8')) as {
-    ankiConnect: { nPlusOne?: Record<string, unknown> };
-    subtitleStyle: { nPlusOneColor?: string; knownWordColor?: string };
-  };
-  assert.equal(parsed.subtitleStyle.nPlusOneColor, '#c6a0f6');
-  assert.equal(parsed.subtitleStyle.knownWordColor, '#a6da95');
-  assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(parsed.ankiConnect.nPlusOne ?? {}, 'nPlusOne'), false);
+  assert.equal(fs.readFileSync(configPath, 'utf-8'), originalContent);
 });
 
 test('legacy migration failures are logged and rethrown', () => {
@@ -2110,12 +2064,10 @@ test('legacy migration failures are logged and rethrown', () => {
   assert.match(catchBlock, /throw error;/);
 });
 
-test('migrates legacy ankiConnect nPlusOne known-word settings to knownWords', () => {
+test('resolves legacy ankiConnect nPlusOne known-word settings without rewriting config', () => {
   const dir = makeTempDir();
   const configPath = path.join(dir, 'config.jsonc');
-  fs.writeFileSync(
-    configPath,
-    `{
+  const originalContent = `{
       "ankiConnect": {
         "nPlusOne": {
           "highlightEnabled": true,
@@ -2125,20 +2077,12 @@ test('migrates legacy ankiConnect nPlusOne known-word settings to knownWords', (
           "knownWord": "#a6da95"
         }
       }
-    }`,
-    'utf-8',
-  );
+    }`;
+  fs.writeFileSync(configPath, originalContent, 'utf-8');
 
   const service = new ConfigService(dir);
   const config = service.getConfig();
   const warnings = service.getWarnings();
-  const parsed = parseConfigContent(configPath, fs.readFileSync(configPath, 'utf-8')) as {
-    ankiConnect: {
-      knownWords: Record<string, unknown>;
-      nPlusOne?: Record<string, unknown>;
-    };
-    subtitleStyle: { knownWordColor?: string };
-  };
 
   assert.equal(config.ankiConnect.knownWords.highlightEnabled, true);
   assert.equal(config.ankiConnect.nPlusOne.enabled, true);
@@ -2149,28 +2093,14 @@ test('migrates legacy ankiConnect nPlusOne known-word settings to knownWords', (
     'Kaishi 1.5k': ['Expression', 'Word', 'Reading', 'Word Reading'],
   });
   assert.equal(config.subtitleStyle.knownWordColor, '#a6da95');
-  assert.equal(parsed.ankiConnect.knownWords.highlightEnabled, true);
-  assert.equal(parsed.ankiConnect.knownWords.refreshMinutes, 90);
-  assert.equal(parsed.ankiConnect.knownWords.matchMode, 'surface');
-  assert.deepEqual(parsed.ankiConnect.knownWords.decks, {
-    Mining: ['Expression', 'Word', 'Reading', 'Word Reading'],
-    'Kaishi 1.5k': ['Expression', 'Word', 'Reading', 'Word Reading'],
-  });
-  assert.equal(parsed.subtitleStyle.knownWordColor, '#a6da95');
-  assert.ok(
-    ['highlightEnabled', 'refreshMinutes', 'matchMode', 'decks', 'knownWord'].every(
-      (key) => !Object.hasOwn(parsed.ankiConnect.nPlusOne ?? {}, key),
-    ),
-  );
+  assert.equal(fs.readFileSync(configPath, 'utf-8'), originalContent);
   assert.ok(warnings.every((warning) => !warning.path.startsWith('ankiConnect.nPlusOne.')));
 });
 
-test('migrates duplicate ankiConnect nPlusOne objects to the modal path', () => {
+test('resolves duplicate ankiConnect nPlusOne objects without rewriting config', () => {
   const dir = makeTempDir();
   const configPath = path.join(dir, 'config.jsonc');
-  fs.writeFileSync(
-    configPath,
-    `{
+  const originalContent = `{
       "ankiConnect": {
         "nPlusOne": {
           "enabled": true,
@@ -2183,19 +2113,14 @@ test('migrates duplicate ankiConnect nPlusOne objects to the modal path', () =>
           "minSentenceWords": "3"
         }
       }
-    }`,
-    'utf-8',
-  );
+    }`;
+  fs.writeFileSync(configPath, originalContent, 'utf-8');
 
   const service = new ConfigService(dir);
   const config = service.getConfig();
-  const parsed = parseConfigContent(configPath, fs.readFileSync(configPath, 'utf-8')) as {
-    ankiConnect: { nPlusOne: Record<string, unknown> };
-  };
 
   assert.equal(config.ankiConnect.nPlusOne.enabled, true);
-  assert.equal(parsed.ankiConnect.nPlusOne.enabled, true);
-  assert.equal(parsed.ankiConnect.nPlusOne.minSentenceWords, '3');
+  assert.equal(fs.readFileSync(configPath, 'utf-8'), originalContent);
 });
 
 test('supports legacy ankiConnect.behavior N+1 settings as fallback', () => {
diff --git a/src/config/definitions/defaults-core.ts b/src/config/definitions/defaults-core.ts
index cea45837..9c05eb81 100644
--- a/src/config/definitions/defaults-core.ts
+++ b/src/config/definitions/defaults-core.ts
@@ -105,7 +105,6 @@ export const CORE_DEFAULT_CONFIG: Pick<
     primarySubLanguages: ['ja', 'jpn'],
   },
   subsync: {
-    defaultMode: 'auto',
     alass_path: '',
     ffsubsync_path: '',
     ffmpeg_path: '',
@@ -116,7 +115,7 @@ export const CORE_DEFAULT_CONFIG: Pick<
     mecab: true,
     yomitanExtension: true,
     subtitleDictionaries: true,
-    jellyfinRemoteSession: true,
+    jellyfinRemoteSession: false,
   },
   updates: {
     enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/config/definitions/defaults-subtitle.ts b/src/config/definitions/defaults-subtitle.ts
index eda57a29..f3436bfd 100644
--- a/src/config/definitions/defaults-subtitle.ts
+++ b/src/config/definitions/defaults-subtitle.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ export const SUBTITLE_DEFAULT_CONFIG: Pick<ResolvedConfig, 'subtitleStyle' | 'su
     autoPauseVideoOnYomitanPopup: true,
     hoverTokenColor: '#f4dbd6',
     hoverTokenBackgroundColor: 'transparent',
-    nameMatchEnabled: true,
+    nameMatchEnabled: false,
     nameMatchColor: '#f5bde6',
     fontFamily: 'Hiragino Sans, M PLUS 1, Source Han Sans JP, Noto Sans CJK JP',
     fontSize: 35,
diff --git a/src/config/definitions/options-core.ts b/src/config/definitions/options-core.ts
index 381936b0..074fa362 100644
--- a/src/config/definitions/options-core.ts
+++ b/src/config/definitions/options-core.ts
@@ -388,13 +388,6 @@ export function buildCoreConfigOptionRegistry(
       defaultValue: defaultConfig.annotationWebsocket.port,
       description: 'Annotated subtitle websocket server port.',
     },
-    {
-      path: 'subsync.defaultMode',
-      kind: 'enum',
-      enumValues: ['auto', 'manual'],
-      defaultValue: defaultConfig.subsync.defaultMode,
-      description: 'Subsync default mode.',
-    },
     {
       path: 'subsync.replace',
       kind: 'boolean',
diff --git a/src/config/definitions/template-sections.ts b/src/config/definitions/template-sections.ts
index 7220ddf4..97bdb938 100644
--- a/src/config/definitions/template-sections.ts
+++ b/src/config/definitions/template-sections.ts
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ const CORE_TEMPLATE_SECTIONS: ConfigTemplateSection[] = [
     key: 'secondarySub',
   },
   {
-    title: 'Auto Subtitle Sync',
+    title: 'Subtitle Sync',
     description: ['Subsync engine and executable paths.'],
     notes: ['Hot-reload: subsync changes apply to the next subtitle sync run.'],
     key: 'subsync',
diff --git a/src/config/resolve/core-domains.ts b/src/config/resolve/core-domains.ts
index 838f954d..4717f158 100644
--- a/src/config/resolve/core-domains.ts
+++ b/src/config/resolve/core-domains.ts
@@ -273,13 +273,6 @@ export function applyCoreDomainConfig(context: ResolveContext): void {
   }
 
   if (isObject(src.subsync)) {
-    const mode = src.subsync.defaultMode;
-    if (mode === 'auto' || mode === 'manual') {
-      resolved.subsync.defaultMode = mode;
-    } else if (mode !== undefined) {
-      warn('subsync.defaultMode', mode, resolved.subsync.defaultMode, 'Expected auto or manual.');
-    }
-
     const alass = asString(src.subsync.alass_path);
     if (alass !== undefined) resolved.subsync.alass_path = alass;
     const ffsubsync = asString(src.subsync.ffsubsync_path);
diff --git a/src/config/resolve/subtitle-style.test.ts b/src/config/resolve/subtitle-style.test.ts
index ee1583fa..0b557fca 100644
--- a/src/config/resolve/subtitle-style.test.ts
+++ b/src/config/resolve/subtitle-style.test.ts
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ test('subtitleStyle nameMatchEnabled falls back on invalid value', () => {
 
   applySubtitleDomainConfig(context);
 
-  assert.equal(context.resolved.subtitleStyle.nameMatchEnabled, true);
+  assert.equal(context.resolved.subtitleStyle.nameMatchEnabled, false);
   assert.ok(
     warnings.some(
       (warning) =>
diff --git a/src/config/service.ts b/src/config/service.ts
index aa1ac28e..6c4791a0 100644
--- a/src/config/service.ts
+++ b/src/config/service.ts
@@ -149,7 +149,6 @@ export class ConfigService {
       if (!migrated) {
         return rawConfig;
       }
-      fs.writeFileSync(configPath, content, 'utf-8');
       return rawConfig;
     } catch (error) {
       console.error(`[ConfigService] legacy config migration failed for ${configPath}:`, error);
diff --git a/src/config/settings/registry.test.ts b/src/config/settings/registry.test.ts
index 2b9e539b..1f936ee0 100644
--- a/src/config/settings/registry.test.ts
+++ b/src/config/settings/registry.test.ts
@@ -194,8 +194,8 @@ test('settings registry exposes css declaration editor for subtitle sidebar appe
 test('settings registry routes playback-related integrations into integrations', () => {
   assert.equal(field('jimaku.apiBaseUrl').category, 'integrations');
   assert.equal(field('jimaku.apiBaseUrl').section, 'Jimaku');
-  assert.equal(field('subsync.defaultMode').category, 'integrations');
-  assert.equal(field('subsync.defaultMode').section, 'Subtitle Sync');
+  assert.equal(field('subsync.replace').category, 'integrations');
+  assert.equal(field('subsync.replace').section, 'Subtitle Sync');
 });
 
 test('settings registry puts feature toggles first, then other toggles alphabetically', () => {
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ test('settings registry marks safe live config paths as hot-reloadable', () => {
     'jimaku.apiBaseUrl',
     'jimaku.languagePreference',
     'jimaku.maxEntryResults',
-    'subsync.defaultMode',
+    'subsync.replace',
     'ankiConnect.behavior.autoUpdateNewCards',
     'ankiConnect.knownWords.highlightEnabled',
     'ankiConnect.knownWords.refreshMinutes',
@@ -279,6 +279,11 @@ test('settings registry marks safe live config paths as hot-reloadable', () => {
   }
 });
 
+test('settings registry does not expose removed subsync mode option', () => {
+  const paths = new Set(fields.map((candidate) => candidate.configPath));
+  assert.equal(paths.has('subsync.defaultMode'), false);
+});
+
 test('settings registry keeps unsafe config siblings restart-required', () => {
   for (const path of [
     'stats.serverPort',
diff --git a/src/core/services/app-lifecycle.test.ts b/src/core/services/app-lifecycle.test.ts
index ff5bd276..2e8715b9 100644
--- a/src/core/services/app-lifecycle.test.ts
+++ b/src/core/services/app-lifecycle.test.ts
@@ -242,3 +242,22 @@ test('startAppLifecycle quits macOS config-only launch when all windows close',
   handler();
   assert.deepEqual(calls, ['quitApp']);
 });
+
+test('startAppLifecycle quits macOS setup-only launch when all windows close', () => {
+  let windowAllClosedHandler: (() => void) | null = null;
+  const { deps, calls } = createDeps({
+    shouldStartApp: () => true,
+    isDarwinPlatform: () => true,
+    shouldQuitOnWindowAllClosed: () => true,
+    onWindowAllClosed: (handler) => {
+      windowAllClosedHandler = handler;
+    },
+  });
+
+  startAppLifecycle(makeArgs({ setup: true }), deps);
+
+  const handler = windowAllClosedHandler as (() => void) | null;
+  assert.ok(handler);
+  handler();
+  assert.deepEqual(calls, ['quitApp']);
+});
diff --git a/src/core/services/app-lifecycle.ts b/src/core/services/app-lifecycle.ts
index 179e779c..59e204d9 100644
--- a/src/core/services/app-lifecycle.ts
+++ b/src/core/services/app-lifecycle.ts
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ export function startAppLifecycle(initialArgs: CliArgs, deps: AppLifecycleServic
   deps.onWindowAllClosed(() => {
     if (
       deps.shouldQuitOnWindowAllClosed() &&
-      (!deps.isDarwinPlatform() || initialArgs.settings)
+      (!deps.isDarwinPlatform() || initialArgs.settings || initialArgs.setup)
     ) {
       deps.quitApp();
     }
diff --git a/src/core/services/config-hot-reload.test.ts b/src/core/services/config-hot-reload.test.ts
index 1175afa3..728211fd 100644
--- a/src/core/services/config-hot-reload.test.ts
+++ b/src/core/services/config-hot-reload.test.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ test('classifyConfigHotReloadDiff treats safe nested config paths as hot-reloada
   next.logging.level = 'debug';
   next.youtube.primarySubLanguages = ['ja', 'en'];
   next.jimaku.maxEntryResults = prev.jimaku.maxEntryResults + 1;
-  next.subsync.defaultMode = prev.subsync.defaultMode === 'auto' ? 'manual' : 'auto';
+  next.subsync.replace = !prev.subsync.replace;
   next.ankiConnect.behavior.autoUpdateNewCards = !prev.ankiConnect.behavior.autoUpdateNewCards;
   next.ankiConnect.knownWords.highlightEnabled = !prev.ankiConnect.knownWords.highlightEnabled;
   next.ankiConnect.knownWords.refreshMinutes = prev.ankiConnect.knownWords.refreshMinutes + 5;
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ test('classifyConfigHotReloadDiff treats safe nested config paths as hot-reloada
       'logging.level',
       'youtube.primarySubLanguages',
       'jimaku.maxEntryResults',
-      'subsync.defaultMode',
+      'subsync.replace',
       'ankiConnect.behavior.autoUpdateNewCards',
       'ankiConnect.knownWords.highlightEnabled',
       'ankiConnect.knownWords.refreshMinutes',
diff --git a/src/core/services/subsync.test.ts b/src/core/services/subsync.test.ts
index adc603d1..8b38fe16 100644
--- a/src/core/services/subsync.test.ts
+++ b/src/core/services/subsync.test.ts
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@ function makeDeps(
   return {
     getMpvClient: () => mpvClient,
     getResolvedConfig: () => ({
-      defaultMode: 'manual',
       alassPath: '/usr/bin/alass',
       ffsubsyncPath: '/usr/bin/ffsubsync',
       ffmpegPath: '/usr/bin/ffmpeg',
@@ -68,7 +67,7 @@ test('triggerSubsyncFromConfig returns early when already in progress', async ()
   assert.deepEqual(osd, ['Subsync already running']);
 });
 
-test('triggerSubsyncFromConfig opens manual picker in manual mode', async () => {
+test('triggerSubsyncFromConfig opens manual picker', async () => {
   const osd: string[] = [];
   let payloadTrackCount = 0;
   let inProgressState: boolean | null = null;
@@ -92,6 +91,31 @@ test('triggerSubsyncFromConfig opens manual picker in manual mode', async () =>
   assert.equal(inProgressState, false);
 });
 
+test('triggerSubsyncFromConfig does not run automatic sync', async () => {
+  const osd: string[] = [];
+  let payloadTrackCount = 0;
+  let spinnerRan = false;
+
+  await triggerSubsyncFromConfig(
+    makeDeps({
+      openManualPicker: (payload) => {
+        payloadTrackCount = payload.sourceTracks.length;
+      },
+      showMpvOsd: (text) => {
+        osd.push(text);
+      },
+      runWithSubsyncSpinner: async <T>(task: () => Promise<T>) => {
+        spinnerRan = true;
+        return task();
+      },
+    }),
+  );
+
+  assert.equal(payloadTrackCount, 1);
+  assert.equal(spinnerRan, false);
+  assert.deepEqual(osd, ['Subsync: choose engine and source']);
+});
+
 test('triggerSubsyncFromConfig dedupes repeated subtitle source tracks', async () => {
   let payloadTrackCount = 0;
 
@@ -161,14 +185,14 @@ test('runSubsyncManual requires a source track for alass', async () => {
   });
 });
 
-test('triggerSubsyncFromConfig reports path validation failures', async () => {
+test('triggerSubsyncFromConfig does not validate sync tool paths before manual selection', async () => {
   const osd: string[] = [];
   const inProgress: boolean[] = [];
+  let payloadTrackCount = 0;
 
   await triggerSubsyncFromConfig(
     makeDeps({
       getResolvedConfig: () => ({
-        defaultMode: 'auto',
         alassPath: '/missing/alass',
         ffsubsyncPath: '/missing/ffsubsync',
         ffmpegPath: '/missing/ffmpeg',
@@ -176,16 +200,18 @@ test('triggerSubsyncFromConfig reports path validation failures', async () => {
       setSubsyncInProgress: (value) => {
         inProgress.push(value);
       },
+      openManualPicker: (payload) => {
+        payloadTrackCount = payload.sourceTracks.length;
+      },
       showMpvOsd: (text) => {
         osd.push(text);
       },
     }),
   );
 
-  assert.deepEqual(inProgress, [true, false]);
-  assert.ok(
-    osd.some((line) => line.startsWith('Subsync failed: Configured ffmpeg executable not found')),
-  );
+  assert.deepEqual(inProgress, [false]);
+  assert.equal(payloadTrackCount, 1);
+  assert.deepEqual(osd, ['Subsync: choose engine and source']);
 });
 
 function writeExecutableScript(filePath: string, content: string): void {
@@ -260,7 +286,6 @@ test('runSubsyncManual constructs ffsubsync command and returns success', async
       },
     }),
     getResolvedConfig: () => ({
-      defaultMode: 'manual',
       alassPath,
       ffsubsyncPath,
       ffmpegPath,
@@ -326,7 +351,6 @@ test('runSubsyncManual writes deterministic _retimed filename when replace is fa
       },
     }),
     getResolvedConfig: () => ({
-      defaultMode: 'manual',
       alassPath,
       ffsubsyncPath,
       ffmpegPath,
@@ -382,7 +406,6 @@ test('runSubsyncManual reports ffsubsync command failures with details', async (
       },
     }),
     getResolvedConfig: () => ({
-      defaultMode: 'manual',
       alassPath,
       ffsubsyncPath,
       ffmpegPath,
@@ -448,7 +471,6 @@ test('runSubsyncManual constructs alass command and returns failure on non-zero
       },
     }),
     getResolvedConfig: () => ({
-      defaultMode: 'manual',
       alassPath,
       ffsubsyncPath,
       ffmpegPath,
@@ -520,7 +542,6 @@ test('runSubsyncManual keeps internal alass source file alive until sync finishe
       },
     }),
     getResolvedConfig: () => ({
-      defaultMode: 'manual',
       alassPath,
       ffsubsyncPath,
       ffmpegPath,
@@ -577,7 +598,6 @@ test('runSubsyncManual resolves string sid values from mpv stream properties', a
       },
     }),
     getResolvedConfig: () => ({
-      defaultMode: 'manual',
       alassPath,
       ffsubsyncPath,
       ffmpegPath,
diff --git a/src/core/services/subsync.ts b/src/core/services/subsync.ts
index e01061b1..480e50ce 100644
--- a/src/core/services/subsync.ts
+++ b/src/core/services/subsync.ts
@@ -15,9 +15,6 @@ import {
   SubsyncResolvedConfig,
 } from '../../subsync/utils';
 import { isRemoteMediaPath } from '../../jimaku/utils';
-import { createLogger } from '../../logger';
-
-const logger = createLogger('main:subsync');
 
 interface FileExtractionResult {
   path: string;
@@ -340,57 +337,6 @@ function validateFfsubsyncReference(videoPath: string): void {
   }
 }
 
-async function runSubsyncAutoInternal(deps: SubsyncCoreDeps): Promise<SubsyncResult> {
-  const client = getMpvClientForSubsync(deps);
-  const context = await gatherSubsyncContext(client);
-  const resolved = deps.getResolvedConfig();
-  const ffmpegPath = ensureExecutablePath(resolved.ffmpegPath, 'ffmpeg');
-
-  if (context.secondaryTrack) {
-    let secondaryExtraction: FileExtractionResult | null = null;
-    try {
-      secondaryExtraction = await extractSubtitleTrackToFile(
-        ffmpegPath,
-        context.videoPath,
-        context.secondaryTrack,
-      );
-      const alassResult = await subsyncToReference(
-        'alass',
-        secondaryExtraction.path,
-        context,
-        resolved,
-        client,
-      );
-      if (alassResult.ok) {
-        return alassResult;
-      }
-    } catch (error) {
-      logger.warn('Auto alass sync failed, trying ffsubsync fallback:', error);
-    } finally {
-      if (secondaryExtraction) {
-        cleanupTemporaryFile(secondaryExtraction);
-      }
-    }
-  }
-
-  const ffsubsyncPath = ensureExecutablePath(resolved.ffsubsyncPath, 'ffsubsync');
-  if (!ffsubsyncPath) {
-    return {
-      ok: false,
-      message: 'No secondary subtitle for alass and ffsubsync not configured',
-    };
-  }
-  try {
-    validateFfsubsyncReference(context.videoPath);
-  } catch (error) {
-    return {
-      ok: false,
-      message: `ffsubsync synchronization failed: ${(error as Error).message}`,
-    };
-  }
-  return subsyncToReference('ffsubsync', context.videoPath, context, resolved, client);
-}
-
 export async function runSubsyncManual(
   request: SubsyncManualRunRequest,
   deps: SubsyncCoreDeps,
@@ -448,17 +394,9 @@ export async function triggerSubsyncFromConfig(deps: TriggerSubsyncFromConfigDep
     return;
   }
 
-  const resolved = deps.getResolvedConfig();
   try {
-    if (resolved.defaultMode === 'manual') {
-      await openSubsyncManualPicker(deps);
-      deps.showMpvOsd('Subsync: choose engine and source');
-      return;
-    }
-
-    deps.setSubsyncInProgress(true);
-    const result = await deps.runWithSubsyncSpinner(() => runSubsyncAutoInternal(deps));
-    deps.showMpvOsd(result.message);
+    await openSubsyncManualPicker(deps);
+    deps.showMpvOsd('Subsync: choose engine and source');
   } catch (error) {
     deps.showMpvOsd(`Subsync failed: ${(error as Error).message}`);
   } finally {
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/update/update-dialogs.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/update/update-dialogs.test.ts
index b4625290..5672a137 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/update/update-dialogs.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/update/update-dialogs.test.ts
@@ -73,6 +73,52 @@ test('update dialog presenter does not focus app or yield before showing non-mac
   assert.deepEqual(calls, ['dialog:SubMiner is up to date (v0.14.0)']);
 });
 
+test('update dialog presenter still shows macOS dialog when focus fails', async () => {
+  const calls: string[] = [];
+  const showMessageBox: ShowMessageBox = async (options) => {
+    calls.push(`dialog:${options.message}`);
+    return { response: 0 };
+  };
+  const presenter = createUpdateDialogPresenter({
+    platform: 'darwin',
+    focusApp: () => {
+      calls.push('focus');
+      throw new Error('focus failed');
+    },
+    yieldToRunLoop: async () => {
+      calls.push('yield');
+    },
+    showMessageBox,
+  });
+
+  await presenter.showNoUpdateDialog('0.14.0');
+
+  assert.deepEqual(calls, ['focus', 'dialog:SubMiner is up to date (v0.14.0)']);
+});
+
+test('update dialog presenter still shows macOS dialog when yielding fails', async () => {
+  const calls: string[] = [];
+  const showMessageBox: ShowMessageBox = async (options) => {
+    calls.push(`dialog:${options.message}`);
+    return { response: 0 };
+  };
+  const presenter = createUpdateDialogPresenter({
+    platform: 'darwin',
+    focusApp: () => {
+      calls.push('focus');
+    },
+    yieldToRunLoop: async () => {
+      calls.push('yield');
+      throw new Error('yield failed');
+    },
+    showMessageBox,
+  });
+
+  await presenter.showNoUpdateDialog('0.14.0');
+
+  assert.deepEqual(calls, ['focus', 'yield', 'dialog:SubMiner is up to date (v0.14.0)']);
+});
+
 test('manual update required dialog explains that automatic install is unavailable', async () => {
   let shown:
     | {
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/update/update-dialogs.ts b/src/main/runtime/update/update-dialogs.ts
index c53b390e..f5ce4f88 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/update/update-dialogs.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/update/update-dialogs.ts
@@ -46,7 +46,11 @@ async function maybeFocusAppForDialog(deps: UpdateDialogPresenterDeps): Promise<
 
 export function createUpdateDialogPresenter(deps: UpdateDialogPresenterDeps) {
   const showFocusedMessageBox: ShowMessageBox = async (options) => {
-    await maybeFocusAppForDialog(deps);
+    try {
+      await maybeFocusAppForDialog(deps);
+    } catch {
+      // Best-effort focus only; never block the dialog itself.
+    }
     return deps.showMessageBox(options);
   };
 
diff --git a/src/renderer/index.html b/src/renderer/index.html
index fd06776a..1bb59ba6 100644
--- a/src/renderer/index.html
+++ b/src/renderer/index.html
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@
       <div id="subsyncModal" class="modal hidden" aria-hidden="true">
         <div class="modal-content subsync-modal-content">
           <div class="modal-header">
-            <div class="modal-title">Auto Subtitle Sync</div>
+            <div class="modal-title">Subtitle Sync</div>
             <button id="subsyncClose" class="modal-close" type="button">Close</button>
           </div>
           <div class="modal-body">
diff --git a/src/renderer/state.ts b/src/renderer/state.ts
index 4fc2e2fa..b3c17b76 100644
--- a/src/renderer/state.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/state.ts
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ export function createRendererState(): RendererState {
 
     knownWordColor: '#a6da95',
     nPlusOneColor: '#c6a0f6',
-    nameMatchEnabled: true,
+    nameMatchEnabled: false,
     nameMatchColor: '#f5bde6',
     jlptN1Color: '#ed8796',
     jlptN2Color: '#f5a97f',
diff --git a/src/renderer/subtitle-render.test.ts b/src/renderer/subtitle-render.test.ts
index 8aafc259..443a22e4 100644
--- a/src/renderer/subtitle-render.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/subtitle-render.test.ts
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ test('computeWordClass preserves known and n+1 classes while adding JLPT classes
   assert.equal(computeWordClass(nPlusOneJlpt), 'word word-n-plus-one word-jlpt-n2');
 });
 
-test('computeWordClass applies name-match class ahead of known, n+1, frequency, and JLPT classes', () => {
+test('computeWordClass applies name-match class ahead of known, n+1, frequency, and JLPT classes when enabled', () => {
   const token = createToken({
     isKnown: true,
     isNPlusOneTarget: true,
@@ -270,6 +270,7 @@ test('computeWordClass applies name-match class ahead of known, n+1, frequency,
 
   assert.equal(
     computeWordClass(token, {
+      nameMatchEnabled: true,
       enabled: true,
       topX: 100,
       mode: 'single',
@@ -280,6 +281,15 @@ test('computeWordClass applies name-match class ahead of known, n+1, frequency,
   );
 });
 
+test('computeWordClass skips name-match class by default', () => {
+  const token = createToken({
+    surface: 'アクア',
+  }) as MergedToken & { isNameMatch?: boolean };
+  token.isNameMatch = true;
+
+  assert.equal(computeWordClass(token), 'word');
+});
+
 test('computeWordClass skips name-match class when disabled', () => {
   const token = createToken({
     surface: 'アクア',
diff --git a/src/renderer/subtitle-render.ts b/src/renderer/subtitle-render.ts
index 3b28a2f5..475eb1d8 100644
--- a/src/renderer/subtitle-render.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/subtitle-render.ts
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ const DEFAULT_FREQUENCY_RENDER_SETTINGS: FrequencyRenderSettings = {
   singleColor: '#f5a97f',
   bandedColors: ['#ed8796', '#f5a97f', '#f9e2af', '#8bd5ca', '#8aadf4'],
 };
-const DEFAULT_NAME_MATCH_ENABLED = true;
+const DEFAULT_NAME_MATCH_ENABLED = false;
 
 function hasPrioritizedNameMatch(
   token: MergedToken,
@@ -724,7 +724,7 @@ export function createSubtitleRenderer(ctx: RendererContext) {
     if (style.fontStyle) ctx.dom.subtitleRoot.style.fontStyle = style.fontStyle;
     const knownWordColor = style.knownWordColor ?? ctx.state.knownWordColor ?? '#a6da95';
     const nPlusOneColor = style.nPlusOneColor ?? ctx.state.nPlusOneColor ?? '#c6a0f6';
-    const nameMatchEnabled = style.nameMatchEnabled ?? ctx.state.nameMatchEnabled ?? true;
+    const nameMatchEnabled = style.nameMatchEnabled ?? ctx.state.nameMatchEnabled ?? false;
     const nameMatchColor = style.nameMatchColor ?? ctx.state.nameMatchColor ?? '#f5bde6';
     const hoverTokenColor = sanitizeSubtitleHoverTokenColor(style.hoverTokenColor);
     const hoverTokenBackgroundColor = sanitizeSubtitleHoverTokenBackgroundColor(
diff --git a/src/subsync/utils.ts b/src/subsync/utils.ts
index 5dc4ba5a..b22e9927 100644
--- a/src/subsync/utils.ts
+++ b/src/subsync/utils.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import * as fs from 'fs';
 import * as childProcess from 'child_process';
 import * as path from 'path';
 import { DEFAULT_CONFIG } from '../config';
-import { SubsyncConfig, SubsyncMode } from '../types';
+import { SubsyncConfig } from '../types';
 
 export interface MpvTrack {
   id?: number;
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ export interface MpvTrack {
 }
 
 export interface SubsyncResolvedConfig {
-  defaultMode: SubsyncMode;
   alassPath: string;
   ffsubsyncPath: string;
   ffmpegPath: string;
@@ -89,7 +88,6 @@ export function getSubsyncConfig(config: SubsyncConfig | undefined): SubsyncReso
   };
 
   return {
-    defaultMode: config?.defaultMode ?? DEFAULT_CONFIG.subsync.defaultMode,
     alassPath: resolvePath(config?.alass_path, DEFAULT_SUBSYNC_EXECUTABLE_PATHS.alass),
     ffsubsyncPath: resolvePath(config?.ffsubsync_path, DEFAULT_SUBSYNC_EXECUTABLE_PATHS.ffsubsync),
     ffmpegPath: resolvePath(config?.ffmpeg_path, DEFAULT_SUBSYNC_EXECUTABLE_PATHS.ffmpeg),
diff --git a/src/types/config.ts b/src/types/config.ts
index caca4711..8921cbe8 100644
--- a/src/types/config.ts
+++ b/src/types/config.ts
@@ -67,10 +67,7 @@ export interface MpvConfig {
   aniskipButtonKey?: string;
 }
 
-export type SubsyncMode = 'auto' | 'manual';
-
 export interface SubsyncConfig {
-  defaultMode?: SubsyncMode;
   alass_path?: string;
   ffsubsync_path?: string;
   ffmpeg_path?: string;