diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index ebb43fa..788c521 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ fantasy-console-style API.
 ## Architecture
 
 All engine functionality is accessed through the static `BT` namespace. Demos implement the `IBlitTechDemo` interface
-(`queryHardware`, `init`, `update`, `render`).
+(`configure?`, `init`, `update`, `render`).
 
 ```text
 src/
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 316aefe..dad7a6e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -44,7 +44,8 @@ primitives, and fonts.
   `BT.getAxis`), with stick dead zone and face-button support through `BT.button*`
 - **Fixed timestep**: deterministic 60 FPS loop with tick counter and optional dropped-frame detection
 - **Clean API**: all engine access through the `BT` namespace
-- **Display scaling**: optional CSS upscaling via `canvasDisplaySize` for crisp pixel art
+- **Display scaling**: `canvasDisplaySize` drives the WebGPU drawing buffer and CSS size for crisp pixel art; engine
+  `defaultConfig()` uses a `640x480` output for `320x240` logical (2x nearest) when a demo omits `configure()`
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
@@ -121,7 +122,8 @@ Additional documentation is available in the `docs/` directory:
 
 ## Quick Start
 
-Create a demo by implementing the `IBlitTechDemo` interface:
+Create a demo by implementing the `IBlitTechDemo` interface. The optional `configure()` hook overrides engine defaults
+(`320x240` logical, `640x480` output, `60` FPS from `defaultConfig()`); omit it for minimal demos.
 
 ```ts
 import {
@@ -142,12 +144,12 @@ const BLUE = 3;
 
 class MyDemo implements IBlitTechDemo {
   /**
-   * Configures hardware settings for this demo.
-   * Sets up a 320×240 internal resolution with optional CSS upscaling.
+   * Optional: configures hardware settings for this demo.
+   * Sets up a 320×240 internal resolution with optional output upscaling.
    *
    * @returns Hardware configuration specifying display size and target FPS.
    */
-  queryHardware(): HardwareSettings {
+  configure(): HardwareSettings {
     return {
       displaySize: new Vector2i(320, 240), // Internal rendering resolution
       canvasDisplaySize: new Vector2i(640, 480), // Optional: CSS display size (2× upscale)
@@ -382,12 +384,12 @@ organized into two chains by what they operate on:
   RGB shadow mask, vignette, chromatic aberration, bloom, etc. Operating at output resolution is what lets curved
   sampling (barrel) express smoothly without quantizing onto the source pixel grid.
 
-Both chains add zero cost when empty. Set `canvasDisplaySize` in `queryHardware()` to enable the display tier.
+Both chains add zero cost when empty. Set `canvasDisplaySize` in `configure()` to enable the display tier.
 
 ```ts
 import { BT, Vector2i, BarrelDistortion, Scanlines, Bloom, PixelGlitch } from 'blit-tech';
 
-// In queryHardware(): unlock the display tier and pick an output size.
+// In configure(): unlock the display tier and pick an output size.
 return {
   displaySize: new Vector2i(320, 240),
   canvasDisplaySize: new Vector2i(1280, 960), // 4x integer scale
@@ -516,7 +518,7 @@ BitmapFont.load(url); // Load bitmap font (static method)
 #### Pointer (mouse, touch, pen)
 
 The engine tracks up to four pointer slots. Slot 0 is always the mouse; slots 1-3 are touch and pen contacts assigned in
-arrival order. All coordinates are in logical display space (the `displaySize` from `queryHardware()`).
+arrival order. All coordinates are in logical display space (the `displaySize` from `configure()` or defaults).
 
 ```ts
 // Position and movement
diff --git a/docs/input.md b/docs/input.md
index 47eabb5..b6c7bbe 100644
--- a/docs/input.md
+++ b/docs/input.md
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ Blit-Tech provides DOM-backed input: **pointer** (mouse, touch, pen), **keyboard
 virtual face buttons), **gamepad** (up to four players via `navigator.getGamepads()`), and **text accumulation** for UI
 entry (`BT.inputString()`).
 
-All pointer coordinates are returned in logical display space (the `displaySize` configured in `queryHardware()`),
-independent of the canvas's CSS or backing-buffer size.
+All pointer coordinates are returned in logical display space (the `displaySize` from `configure()` or
+`defaultConfig()`), independent of the canvas's CSS or backing-buffer size.
 
 ## Pointer Slot Model
 
diff --git a/docs/performance-best-practices.md b/docs/performance-best-practices.md
index 3a2e1c1..b04256c 100644
--- a/docs/performance-best-practices.md
+++ b/docs/performance-best-practices.md
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ if (elapsedTime >= 1.0) {
 
 If your `update()` or `render()` takes too long:
 
-1. **Confirm the symptom** - Set `detectDroppedFrames: true` in `queryHardware()` to log a console warning whenever the
+1. **Confirm the symptom** - Set `detectDroppedFrames: true` in `configure()` to log a console warning whenever the
    browser misses a vsync deadline. The detector auto-calibrates to the actual rAF cadence so it works on any refresh
    rate (60 / 120 / 144 Hz, etc.) and on Firefox where rAF often fires at the display rate rather than at `targetFPS`.
 2. **Profile with browser dev tools** - Find the actual bottleneck
diff --git a/docs/post-process-effects.md b/docs/post-process-effects.md
index 895ce40..1a4cec1 100644
--- a/docs/post-process-effects.md
+++ b/docs/post-process-effects.md
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ your own, the bundled presets, and the upstream attribution.
 import { BT, Vector2i, BarrelDistortion, Scanlines, RGBMask, Bloom, PixelGlitch } from 'blit-tech';
 
 class Demo {
-  queryHardware() {
+  configure() {
     return {
       displaySize: new Vector2i(320, 240), // logical pixel-art resolution
       canvasDisplaySize: new Vector2i(1280, 960), // output drawing-buffer size
@@ -141,8 +141,12 @@ interface HardwareSettings {
 }
 ```
 
-When `canvasDisplaySize` is omitted, the WebGPU drawing buffer matches `displaySize`, no upscale pass exists, and the
-display tier is unavailable (adding a display effect throws).
+When `canvasDisplaySize` is omitted from your **returned** `HardwareSettings`, the WebGPU drawing buffer matches
+`displaySize`, no upscale pass exists, and the display tier is unavailable (adding a display effect throws).
+
+If the demo **does not** implement `configure()`, the engine uses `defaultConfig()`, which **does** set
+`canvasDisplaySize` (`640x480` for `320x240` logical), so the display tier remains available unless you override with a
+custom `configure()` that omits output sizing.
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/docs/testing.md b/docs/testing.md
index 871ecc5..087b94d 100644
--- a/docs/testing.md
+++ b/docs/testing.md
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ Pure logic with no GPU dependencies. Tests run in Node.js for maximum speed.
 - **PaletteEffect** - manager lifecycle, CycleEffect rotation, FadeEffect/FadeRangeEffect lerp, FlashEffect, paletteSwap
 - **Easing** - boundary values, monotonicity, midpoint checks for all easing curves
 - **GameLoop** - constructor validation, tick counter
-- **IBlitTechDemo** - default hardware settings
+- **IBlitTechDemo** - `defaultConfig()` and optional `configure()`
 
 ### Tier 2: Integration Tests (Vitest, Node + GPU mocks)
 
diff --git a/src/BlitTech.test.ts b/src/BlitTech.test.ts
index 06b0e7a..f105998 100644
--- a/src/BlitTech.test.ts
+++ b/src/BlitTech.test.ts
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ describe('BT.init', () => {
     it('delegates to BTAPI.instance.init and returns its result', async () => {
         const spy = vi.spyOn(BTAPI.instance, 'init').mockResolvedValue(true);
         const demo = {
-            queryHardware: vi.fn(),
+            configure: vi.fn(),
             init: vi.fn(),
             update: vi.fn(),
             render: vi.fn(),
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ describe('BT.init', () => {
         vi.spyOn(BTAPI.instance, 'init').mockResolvedValue(false);
 
         const demo = {
-            queryHardware: vi.fn(),
+            configure: vi.fn(),
             init: vi.fn(),
             update: vi.fn(),
             render: vi.fn(),
diff --git a/src/BlitTech.ts b/src/BlitTech.ts
index 3cb359b..2e263f9 100644
--- a/src/BlitTech.ts
+++ b/src/BlitTech.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import { BitmapFont } from './assets/BitmapFont';
 import { Palette } from './assets/Palette';
 import { SpriteSheet } from './assets/SpriteSheet';
 import { BTAPI } from './core/BTAPI';
-import { defaultHardwareSettings, type HardwareSettings, type IBlitTechDemo } from './core/IBlitTechDemo';
+import { defaultConfig, type HardwareSettings, type IBlitTechDemo } from './core/IBlitTechDemo';
 import {
     createDefaultKeyboardRuntimeMaps,
     DEFAULT_KEYBOARD_PLAYER1,
@@ -488,7 +488,8 @@ export const BT = {
      *
      * - `tier='pixel'` -> pixel chain (logical resolution).
      * - `tier='display'` -> display chain (output resolution); requires
-     *   `canvasDisplaySize` to be set in `queryHardware()`.
+     *   `canvasDisplaySize` in effective hardware settings (`configure()` or
+     *   `defaultConfig()`).
      *
      * Effects run in registration order within each tier. The pixel chain runs
      * first, followed by the upscale pass, followed by the display chain. Each
@@ -1237,7 +1238,7 @@ export {
     ChromaticAberration,
     Color32,
     crtPipBoy,
-    defaultHardwareSettings,
+    defaultConfig,
     displayError,
     Flicker,
     getCanvas,
diff --git a/src/core/BTAPI.test.ts b/src/core/BTAPI.test.ts
index de8b364..dde00a2 100644
--- a/src/core/BTAPI.test.ts
+++ b/src/core/BTAPI.test.ts
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ function resetSingleton(): void {
 
 function makeMockDemo(targetFPS = 60, initResult = true): IBlitTechDemo {
     return {
-        queryHardware: vi.fn().mockReturnValue({
+        configure: vi.fn().mockReturnValue({
             displaySize: new Vector2i(320, 240),
             canvasDisplaySize: new Vector2i(640, 480),
             targetFPS,
@@ -379,6 +379,28 @@ describe('BTAPI', () => {
             expect(BTAPI.instance.getGamepad()).not.toBeNull();
         });
 
+        it('should use defaultConfig when configure is omitted', async () => {
+            const demo: IBlitTechDemo = {
+                init: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(true),
+                update: vi.fn(),
+                render: vi.fn(),
+            };
+
+            const result = await BTAPI.instance.init(demo, makeMockCanvas());
+
+            expect(result).toBe(true);
+
+            const hw = BTAPI.instance.getHardwareSettings();
+
+            expect(hw).not.toBeNull();
+            expect(hw?.displaySize.x).toBe(320);
+            expect(hw?.displaySize.y).toBe(240);
+            expect(hw?.canvasDisplaySize?.x).toBe(640);
+            expect(hw?.canvasDisplaySize?.y).toBe(480);
+            expect(hw?.outputUpscaleFilter).toBe('nearest');
+            expect(hw?.targetFPS).toBe(60);
+        });
+
         it('stop detaches pointer and keyboard input so subsequent accessors return null', async () => {
             await BTAPI.instance.init(makeMockDemo(), makeMockCanvas());
 
diff --git a/src/core/BTAPI.ts b/src/core/BTAPI.ts
index ac24f3d..6724421 100644
--- a/src/core/BTAPI.ts
+++ b/src/core/BTAPI.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import { Vector2i } from '../utils/Vector2i';
 import type { FrameDropCallback, FrameDropEvent } from './GameLoop';
 import { GameLoop } from './GameLoop';
 import type { HardwareSettings, IBlitTechDemo } from './IBlitTechDemo';
+import { defaultConfig } from './IBlitTechDemo';
 import { initWebGPU } from './WebGPUContext';
 
 /**
@@ -143,7 +144,7 @@ export class BTAPI {
      * Initializes the engine for a demo and starts the main loop on success.
      *
      * The initialization sequence is:
-     * - query hardware settings from the demo
+     * - read hardware settings from the demo (`configure()` or defaults)
      * - initialize WebGPU and create the renderer
      * - run the demo's async `init()`
      * - start the fixed-timestep game loop
@@ -158,10 +159,10 @@ export class BTAPI {
         this.demo = demo;
         this.canvas = canvas;
 
-        // Query hardware settings from the demo.
-        console.log('[BT] Querying hardware settings');
+        // Hardware settings: demo hook or defaults (320x240 @ 60 FPS).
+        console.log('[BT] Reading hardware configuration');
 
-        this.hwSettings = demo.queryHardware();
+        this.hwSettings = demo.configure?.() ?? defaultConfig();
 
         const { targetFPS } = this.hwSettings;
 
@@ -318,7 +319,8 @@ export class BTAPI {
     // #region Demo State Accessors
 
     /**
-     * Gets the hardware settings returned by the active demo.
+     * Gets the hardware settings used for the active demo (from `configure()` or
+     * {@link defaultConfig}).
      *
      * @returns Hardware configuration, or null if not initialized.
      */
diff --git a/src/core/IBlitTechDemo.test.ts b/src/core/IBlitTechDemo.test.ts
index 74fc5cc..a31a847 100644
--- a/src/core/IBlitTechDemo.test.ts
+++ b/src/core/IBlitTechDemo.test.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 /**
- * Unit tests for the default hardware-settings helper exported by
- * {@link IBlitTechDemo}.
+ * Unit tests for {@link defaultConfig} exported from {@link IBlitTechDemo}.
  *
  * Confirms the default display resolution and frame rate, ensures optional
  * canvas sizing is omitted by default, and verifies each call returns fresh
@@ -9,31 +8,38 @@
 
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
 
-import { defaultHardwareSettings } from './IBlitTechDemo';
+import { defaultConfig } from './IBlitTechDemo';
 
-describe('defaultHardwareSettings', () => {
+describe('defaultConfig', () => {
     it('should return 320x240 display size', () => {
-        const settings = defaultHardwareSettings();
+        const settings = defaultConfig();
 
         expect(settings.displaySize.x).toBe(320);
         expect(settings.displaySize.y).toBe(240);
     });
 
     it('should return the 60 FPS target', () => {
-        const settings = defaultHardwareSettings();
+        const settings = defaultConfig();
 
         expect(settings.targetFPS).toBe(60);
     });
 
-    it('should not include canvasDisplaySize by default', () => {
-        const settings = defaultHardwareSettings();
+    it('should include 640x480 canvasDisplaySize by default', () => {
+        const settings = defaultConfig();
 
-        expect(settings.canvasDisplaySize).toBeUndefined();
+        expect(settings.canvasDisplaySize?.x).toBe(640);
+        expect(settings.canvasDisplaySize?.y).toBe(480);
+    });
+
+    it("should default outputUpscaleFilter to 'nearest'", () => {
+        const settings = defaultConfig();
+
+        expect(settings.outputUpscaleFilter).toBe('nearest');
     });
 
     it('should return a fresh object on each call', () => {
-        const a = defaultHardwareSettings();
-        const b = defaultHardwareSettings();
+        const a = defaultConfig();
+        const b = defaultConfig();
 
         expect(a).not.toBe(b);
         expect(a.displaySize).not.toBe(b.displaySize);
diff --git a/src/core/IBlitTechDemo.ts b/src/core/IBlitTechDemo.ts
index a8991f5..ed4aebf 100644
--- a/src/core/IBlitTechDemo.ts
+++ b/src/core/IBlitTechDemo.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@ import { Vector2i } from '../utils/Vector2i';
 export type OutputUpscaleFilter = 'nearest' | 'linear';
 
 /**
- * Engine-facing hardware configuration returned by `queryHardware()`.
+ * Engine-facing hardware configuration returned by `configure()` when a demo
+ * implements that optional hook, or by {@link defaultConfig} otherwise.
  */
 export interface HardwareSettings {
     /** Logical render resolution in pixels (e.g. `320x240`). */
@@ -59,19 +60,22 @@ export interface HardwareSettings {
  * Demo contract implemented by Blit-Tech applications.
  *
  * Engine lifecycle order:
- * 1. queryHardware() - Called first to configure display/FPS
+ * 1. configure() - Optional; called first to set display size, output buffer, FPS
  * 2. init() - Called after WebGPU setup, load assets here
  * 3. update() - Fixed timestep via accumulator (may run 0..N times per frame)
  * 4. render() - Called once per requestAnimationFrame (browser refresh rate)
  */
 export interface IBlitTechDemo {
     /**
-     * Called first to declare display size, optional output drawing-buffer size,
+     * Optional hook to declare display size, optional output drawing-buffer size,
      * upscale filter, and the target fixed-update rate.
      *
+     * When omitted, the engine uses {@link defaultConfig} (`320x240` at
+     * `60` FPS).
+     *
      * @returns Hardware configuration for this demo.
      */
-    queryHardware(): HardwareSettings;
+    configure?(): HardwareSettings;
 
     /**
      * Called once after WebGPU and the renderer have been initialized.
@@ -111,16 +115,19 @@ export interface IBlitTechDemo {
 // #region Helper Functions
 
 /**
- * Creates a fresh default hardware-settings object for quick demos.
+ * Creates a fresh default hardware configuration for quick demos.
  *
- * The defaults are a `320x240` internal resolution and a `60` FPS update rate.
+ * Matches the most common setup across Blit-Tech demos: `320x240` logical resolution,
+ * `640x480` canvas output (2x nearest upscale), and `60` FPS fixed updates.
  *
  * @returns Default HardwareSettings configuration.
  */
-export function defaultHardwareSettings(): HardwareSettings {
+export function defaultConfig(): HardwareSettings {
     return {
         displaySize: new Vector2i(320, 240),
+        canvasDisplaySize: new Vector2i(640, 480),
         targetFPS: 60,
+        outputUpscaleFilter: 'nearest',
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/src/render/Renderer.ts b/src/render/Renderer.ts
index 050c8dc..338c2e5 100644
--- a/src/render/Renderer.ts
+++ b/src/render/Renderer.ts
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ export class Renderer {
 
     /**
      * True when the caller explicitly provided an `outputSize` (i.e. set
-     * `canvasDisplaySize` in `queryHardware()`), enabling display-tier effects
+     * `canvasDisplaySize` in `configure()`), enabling display-tier effects
      * regardless of whether the output resolution differs from the logical one.
      */
     private readonly displayTierEnabled: boolean;
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ export class Renderer {
      *
      * - `tier='pixel'` -> pixel chain (logical resolution).
      * - `tier='display'` -> display chain (output resolution); requires
-     *   `canvasDisplaySize` to be set in `queryHardware()`.
+     *   `canvasDisplaySize` to be set in `configure()`.
      *
      * @param effect - Effect instance to append.
      * @throws If the renderer has not been initialized.
@@ -501,7 +501,7 @@ export class Renderer {
 
         if (effect.tier === 'display' && !this.displayTierEnabled) {
             throw new Error(
-                'Renderer.addEffect: display-tier effects require canvasDisplaySize to be set in queryHardware().',
+                'Renderer.addEffect: display-tier effects require canvasDisplaySize to be set in configure().',
             );
         }
 
diff --git a/src/utils/Bootstrap.test.ts b/src/utils/Bootstrap.test.ts
index d70784b..04cdf92 100644
--- a/src/utils/Bootstrap.test.ts
+++ b/src/utils/Bootstrap.test.ts
@@ -21,15 +21,10 @@ import { BTAPI } from '../core/BTAPI';
 import type { IBlitTechDemo } from '../core/IBlitTechDemo';
 import { bootstrap } from './Bootstrap';
 import { DEFAULT_CANVAS_ID, DEFAULT_CONTAINER_ID } from './BootstrapHelpers';
-import { Vector2i } from './Vector2i';
 
 // #region Test Demo
 
 class MockDemo implements IBlitTechDemo {
-    queryHardware() {
-        return { displaySize: new Vector2i(320, 240), targetFPS: 60 };
-    }
-
     async init() {
         return true;
     }
diff --git a/src/utils/Bootstrap.ts b/src/utils/Bootstrap.ts
index 3edd7b6..8b6f553 100644
--- a/src/utils/Bootstrap.ts
+++ b/src/utils/Bootstrap.ts
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ async function initDemo(
  * This function provides a streamlined way to start a demo with sensible defaults
  * while allowing customization through options.
  *
- * @param DemoClass - Demo class constructor implementing IBlitTechDemo.
+ * @param DemoClass - Demo class constructor implementing `IBlitTechDemo` (optional `configure()` for hardware settings).
  * @param options - Optional configuration for IDs and callbacks.
  * @returns `true` when the demo boots successfully; otherwise `false`.
  *
diff --git a/tests/visual/fixtures/camera.html b/tests/visual/fixtures/camera.html
index 7fe0762..0eabaec 100644
--- a/tests/visual/fixtures/camera.html
+++ b/tests/visual/fixtures/camera.html
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
         const WHITE = 8;
 
         class CameraTest {
-            queryHardware() {
+            configure() {
                 return {
                     displaySize: new Vector2i(320, 240),
                     targetFPS: 60,
diff --git a/tests/visual/fixtures/fonts.html b/tests/visual/fixtures/fonts.html
index dd68422..df0acf2 100644
--- a/tests/visual/fixtures/fonts.html
+++ b/tests/visual/fixtures/fonts.html
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
         const WHITE = 8;
 
         class FontsTest {
-            queryHardware() {
+            configure() {
                 return {
                     displaySize: new Vector2i(320, 240),
                     targetFPS: 60,
diff --git a/tests/visual/fixtures/mixed.html b/tests/visual/fixtures/mixed.html
index 34fc834..ec89c69 100644
--- a/tests/visual/fixtures/mixed.html
+++ b/tests/visual/fixtures/mixed.html
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
         class MixedTest {
             spriteSheet = null;
 
-            queryHardware() {
+            configure() {
                 return {
                     displaySize: new Vector2i(320, 240),
                     targetFPS: 60,
diff --git a/tests/visual/fixtures/post-process.html b/tests/visual/fixtures/post-process.html
index 7b2d4e8..bed2272 100644
--- a/tests/visual/fixtures/post-process.html
+++ b/tests/visual/fixtures/post-process.html
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
         const WHITE = 8;
 
         class PostProcessTest {
-            queryHardware() {
+            configure() {
                 const cfg = {
                     displaySize: new Vector2i(320, 240),
                     targetFPS: 60,
diff --git a/tests/visual/fixtures/primitives.html b/tests/visual/fixtures/primitives.html
index 02a7f3d..73bcaa6 100644
--- a/tests/visual/fixtures/primitives.html
+++ b/tests/visual/fixtures/primitives.html
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
         const WHITE = 8;
 
         class PrimitivesTest {
-            queryHardware() {
+            configure() {
                 return {
                     displaySize: new Vector2i(320, 240),
                     targetFPS: 60,
diff --git a/tests/visual/fixtures/sprites.html b/tests/visual/fixtures/sprites.html
index b789212..6f3cbff 100644
--- a/tests/visual/fixtures/sprites.html
+++ b/tests/visual/fixtures/sprites.html
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
         class SpritesTest {
             spriteSheet = null;
 
-            queryHardware() {
+            configure() {
                 return {
                     displaySize: new Vector2i(320, 240),
                     targetFPS: 60,