diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9197c11..fa1386a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -169,6 +169,7 @@ The first run after a fresh install downloads the embedding models (~1-2 GB). Su
 | Variable | Default | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | `AUTO_MODE` | *(auto)* | Force non-interactive mode even in a terminal; auto-detected otherwise (no TTY = auto) |
+| `VERBOSE` | `false` | Set to `true` to enable DEBUG-level console output |
 | `TRAINING_MODE` | `face` | `face` — upload crops to Frigate API; `object` — save crops to disk |
 | `STRATEGY` | `auto` | `auto` (adaptive), `standard` (30 images), `broad` (100 images) |
 | `LIMIT` | *(unset)* | Exact image count — overrides `STRATEGY` |
diff --git a/compose.yml b/compose.yml
index c6f367d..969a77f 100644
--- a/compose.yml
+++ b/compose.yml
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ services:
       # Auto mode is active by default when no TTY is present (Docker/cron).
       # Set AUTO_MODE=true to force auto mode in an interactive terminal.
       # To run interactively: docker exec -it winnow winnow
+      # - VERBOSE=true                # Enable DEBUG-level console output
       # TRAINING_MODE: face = upload to Frigate face recognition API
       #                object = save crops to output dir for manual Frigate placement
       - TRAINING_MODE=face
diff --git a/winnow/cli.py b/winnow/cli.py
index 4ea9fdb..a99983b 100644
--- a/winnow/cli.py
+++ b/winnow/cli.py
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 def main() -> None:
     """Entry point for winnow CLI."""
     try:
-        setup_logging(verbose=False)
+        verbose = os.environ.get("VERBOSE", "").lower() in ("true", "1", "yes")
+        setup_logging(verbose=verbose)
 
         console.print(r"""
     [bold blue]winnow[/bold blue]