diff --git a/dimos/core/global_config.py b/dimos/core/global_config.py
index 205c38c36..bfb553a45 100644
--- a/dimos/core/global_config.py
+++ b/dimos/core/global_config.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class GlobalConfig(BaseSettings):
     replay: bool = False
     rerun_enabled: bool = True
     rerun_server_addr: str | None = None
-    viewer_backend: ViewerBackend = "rerun-web"
+    viewer_backend: ViewerBackend = "rerun-native"
     n_dask_workers: int = 2
     memory_limit: str = "auto"
     mujoco_camera_position: str | None = None
diff --git a/dimos/dashboard/rerun_init.py b/dimos/dashboard/rerun_init.py
index 4ccec8209..c71219dd3 100644
--- a/dimos/dashboard/rerun_init.py
+++ b/dimos/dashboard/rerun_init.py
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@
     - All processes share the same Rerun recording stream
 
 Viewer modes (set via VIEWER_BACKEND config or environment variable):
-    - "rerun-web" (default): Web viewer on port 9090
-    - "rerun-native": Native Rerun viewer (requires display)
+    - "rerun-web": Web viewer on port 9090
+    - "rerun-native" (default): Native Rerun viewer (requires display)
     - "foxglove": Use Foxglove instead of Rerun
 
 Usage:
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
 _rerun_init_lock = threading.Lock()
 
 
-def init_rerun_server(viewer_mode: str = "rerun-web", memory_limit: str = "4GB") -> str:
+def init_rerun_server(viewer_mode: str, memory_limit: str = "4GB") -> str:
     """Initialize Rerun server in the main process.
 
     Starts the gRPC server and optionally the web/native viewer.