diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 290be65..bb8b32f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -203,14 +203,14 @@ In scheduled mode the process (and loaded models) stays resident between runs. T
 | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | `MAX_AUTO_IMAGES` | `80` | Maximum training images per person in Frigate |
 | `QUALITY_REPLACEMENT` | `true` | When at cap, swap a weaker tracked image for a better candidate. With Frigate scoring active, targets the most redundant image (highest pre-upload recognize score); otherwise uses blur score. Never touches manually added Frigate files. Set `false` to skip people at cap |
-| `ENABLE_FRIGATE_SCORES` | `true` | Call Frigate's recognize endpoint pre-upload to store diversity scores used for quality replacement. Adds ~200 ms per upload. Disable to use blur-score replacement only |
 
 #### Advanced Tuning *(calibrated — do not adjust)*
 
-These defaults are tuned for Frigate's ArcFace requirements. If you change them and run into issues, support will not be provided.
+These defaults are tuned for Frigate's ArcFace requirements. winnow will warn on launch if any are set. Image quality issues caused by non-default values will not be investigated.
 
 | Variable | Default | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- |
+| `ENABLE_FRIGATE_SCORES` | `true` | Call Frigate's recognize endpoint pre-upload to store diversity scores used for quality replacement. Adds ~200 ms per upload. Disabling also disables the below-cap novelty gate |
 | `FRIGATE_SCORE_CEILING` | *(unset)* | Below-cap novelty gate. Unset: dynamic — skips candidates whose Frigate score exceeds the most-redundant tracked file's score, auto-calibrates each run. `0`: disable entirely. Positive value (e.g. `0.85`): fixed hard ceiling |
 | `MIN_FACE_WIDTH` | `90` | Minimum face crop width in pixels |
 | `FACE_MARGIN` | `0.15` | Padding around bounding box crop (fraction of face size) |
diff --git a/winnow/cli.py b/winnow/cli.py
index 169b49f..a88ee4e 100644
--- a/winnow/cli.py
+++ b/winnow/cli.py
@@ -130,6 +130,18 @@ def _handle_duplicate_people(people: list[dict]) -> list[dict]:
     return people
 
 
+_UNSUPPORTED_VARS = [
+    "ENABLE_FRIGATE_SCORES",
+    "FRIGATE_SCORE_CEILING",
+    "MIN_FACE_WIDTH",
+    "FACE_MARGIN",
+    "ENABLE_FACE_ALIGNMENT",
+    "USE_FULL_RESOLUTION",
+    "MIN_CONFIDENCE",
+    "BLUR_THRESHOLD",
+]
+
+
 def main() -> None:
     """Entry point for winnow CLI."""
     try:
@@ -145,6 +157,17 @@ def main() -> None:
     [dim]Immich -> Frigate Training Data Curator[/dim]
         """)
 
+        set_unsupported = [v for v in _UNSUPPORTED_VARS if os.environ.get(v)]
+        if set_unsupported:
+            console.print(
+                f"[bold yellow]⚠  Advanced tuning vars set: "
+                f"{', '.join(set_unsupported)}[/bold yellow]"
+            )
+            console.print(
+                "[dim]  These defaults are calibrated for Frigate's ArcFace requirements. "
+                "Image quality issues caused by non-default values will not be investigated.[/dim]\n"
+            )
+
         ConfigManager.get().interactive_setup()
 
         try: