diff --git a/scripts/configure-system.sh b/scripts/configure-system.sh
index d69e21c..df1ad48 100755
--- a/scripts/configure-system.sh
+++ b/scripts/configure-system.sh
@@ -73,6 +73,14 @@ while IFS= read -r svc; do
   [[ -n "$svc" ]] && systemctl mask "$svc" 2>/dev/null || true
 done < <(yaml_list "$META" "masked" || true)
 
+# Graphical boot: when a display manager (sddm) is enabled, boot straight to
+# the graphical login instead of a tty. Without this the desktop is installed
+# but the system still boots to multi-user.
+if yaml_list "$META" "enabled" | grep -qx "sddm"; then
+  systemctl set-default graphical.target
+  log "graphical boot: default target set to graphical.target (sddm)"
+fi
+
 # Zero-telemetry: apt's automatic update calls are masked in metadata; also
 # ensure no package telemetry survives.
 rm -f /var/log/apt/*.log /var/cache/apt/archives/*.deb