diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7a8fab8..a0d5597 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ to change.
 | `window_control({action, value?})` | Electron window: maximize, minimize, restore, close, fullscreen, kiosk, devtools, reload. |
 | `set_wallpaper({path?, url?, url_external?, display?, api_key?, account_id?})` | Sets desktop wallpaper. Accepts a local `path` or downloads from `url` (cached to `~/Library/Caches/OSIT/wallpaper/`). `url_external` sets a separate image on the projector/second display. `display`: `'all'` (default) \| `'primary'` \| `'external'`. macOS only in production; Linux returns a dev-mode preview payload without applying. |
 | `power_control({action})` | Shutdown, reboot, or sleep. macOS + Linux. Requires sudo for shutdown/reboot. |
-| `set_display_layout({mode, configStr?})` | Mirror/extend displays via bundled `displayplacer` binary. macOS only. Auto-detects connected displays via `displayplacer list` when no `configStr` is given — no manual config needed. `configStr` is an optional manual override (the full `displayplacer` config string) stored in `event_device.data_json` if per-device tuning is needed. |
+| `set_display_layout({mode, configStr?})` | Mirror/extend displays. macOS only. **Primary path:** bundled `display_control` binary (native CoreGraphics, no Homebrew). **Fallback:** `displayplacer` — used when `display_control` binary is absent, or when a `configStr` override is set. `configStr` is an optional manual override (full `displayplacer` config string) stored in `event_device.data_json` for per-device tuning. Build `display_control` once via `scripts/build-display-control.sh` on a Mac and commit `resources/bin/display_control`. |
 | `manage_recording({action, options?})` | Screen recording via bundled `aperture` binary. macOS only. |
 | `update_app(args)` | **Stub.** Downloads update package but does not install. Not functional. |
 | `list_tools()` | Returns a self-describing manifest of all available bridge functions. |
@@ -352,6 +352,33 @@ See `documentation/PROJECT__AE_Events_Launcher_Native_integration.md` Section 8
 - **Handlers:** OS-level logic in `src/main/shell_handlers.ts`, `src/main/file_handlers.ts`, and `src/main/system_handlers.ts`.
 - **Types:** Shared TypeScript interfaces in `src/shared/types.ts`.
 
+### One-Time: Build the `display_control` Binary (macOS)
+
+The `display_control` binary provides native CoreGraphics display mirror/extend without any Homebrew dependency. It must be compiled once on a Mac and committed to the repo so it is bundled into every packaged app.
+
+```bash
+# Requires Xcode Command Line Tools (one-time install):
+xcode-select --install
+
+# From the repo root:
+./scripts/build-display-control.sh
+
+# Test with a second display connected:
+./resources/bin/display_control status
+./resources/bin/display_control extend
+./resources/bin/display_control mirror
+
+# Commit the binary:
+git add resources/bin/display_control
+git commit -m "build: add display_control binary (macOS CoreGraphics)"
+```
+
+Once committed, `brew install displayplacer` is no longer required on any venue Mac. The `displayplacer` fallback remains in the handler only for `configStr` per-device overrides.
+
+Rebuild only if `scripts/display_control.m` changes.
+
+---
+
 ### Build Requirements (System Dependencies)
 
 `bsdtar` (libarchive) must be present on the build host. It is used by the `postinstall` patch
diff --git a/src/main/system_handlers.ts b/src/main/system_handlers.ts
index ce6ec3b..ba2600a 100644
--- a/src/main/system_handlers.ts
+++ b/src/main/system_handlers.ts
@@ -335,8 +335,10 @@ export function registerSystemHandlers() {
       : path.join(__dirname, '../../resources/bin/display_control');
 
     if (fs.existsSync(dc_bin) && !configStr) {
-      const dc_cmd = mode === 'mirror' ? 'mirror' : 'extend';
-      return await runExec(`"${dc_bin}" ${dc_cmd}`);
+      if (mode !== 'mirror' && mode !== 'extend') {
+        return { success: false, error: `Unsupported display mode: ${mode}` };
+      }
+      return await runExec(`"${dc_bin}" ${mode}`);
     }
 
     // Fallback: displayplacer — required when display_control binary is not built yet,