diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 29272378..313fe23d 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -114,11 +114,19 @@ first-class High-Level Emulation tier alongside LLE, modeled on
 `F:/Projects/gbarecomp/gbarecomp` (`src/runtime/bios_hle.{h,cpp}`, commits
 23a57ce + 168e313):
 
-1. **Two selectable backends, LLE default.** A null-by-default hook intercepts
-   BIOS service dispatch before the recompiled BIOS runs; selection is
-   per-game config (`[runtime] bios_hle = true`) + env override (PSX_BIOS_HLE), with a startup
-   banner naming the active backend. With HLE off the build is byte-identical
-   to a build without the tier.
+1. **Two selectable backends. AMENDMENT 2026-07-06 — HLE is now the DEFAULT, but
+   this changes NOTHING institutional.** We still BUILD LLE: the recompiled BIOS
+   is the foundation we architect against, the reference implementation, and the
+   oracle — fully linked, load-bearing, selectable, and the thing every accuracy
+   check runs against. HLE is a QoL layer we lay ON TOP (instant boot-skip for
+   players); the faithful LLE core is proven, so defaulting the convenience on is
+   an enhancement-phase load-time win, not an architecture change. Mechanically
+   this only flips the framework runtime default `bios_hle` false→true
+   (`config_loader.h`); opt OUT per-game with `[runtime] bios_hle = false` or env
+   `PSX_BIOS_HLE=0`. A null-by-default hook intercepts BIOS service dispatch
+   before the recompiled BIOS runs; a startup banner names the active backend.
+   With HLE off the build is byte-identical to a build without the tier. Keep new
+   bring-up and all verification on LLE; HLE-default is the shipping convenience.
 2. **LLE remains the reference implementation and the oracle.** It stays fully
    linked, load-bearing, and selectable; every BIOS call the HLE layer does
    not implement transparently falls through to the recompiled BIOS, so HLE is
diff --git a/recompiler/src/config_loader.h b/recompiler/src/config_loader.h
index a0d2a36d..10735f79 100644
--- a/recompiler/src/config_loader.h
+++ b/recompiler/src/config_loader.h
@@ -92,15 +92,18 @@ struct RuntimeConfig {
     // at host speed. Kept so existing game.toml/settings.toml keep working.
     bool                  fast_boot = false;
 
-    // bios_hle: opt-in High-Level Emulation tier for BIOS kernel services
-    // (CLAUDE.md §0 amendment 2026-07-02, the gbarecomp model). Default off =
-    // LLE (the recompiled BIOS), which remains the reference implementation
-    // and the oracle. When on, implemented kernel services are computed
-    // in-runtime against the real guest kernel structures and every other
-    // call falls through to LLE. Implies the HLE boot shell-skip unless
-    // bios_hle_keep_intro. PSX_BIOS_HLE / PSX_BIOS_HLE_KEEP_INTRO env
-    // override at launch. Runtime: runtime/src/bios_hle.c.
-    bool                  bios_hle = false;
+    // bios_hle: High-Level Emulation tier for BIOS kernel services
+    // (CLAUDE.md §0 amendment 2026-07-02, the gbarecomp model). DEFAULT ON as of
+    // 2026-07-06 (user-directed player default: instant boot-skip for every
+    // game). Opt OUT with [runtime] bios_hle = false or env PSX_BIOS_HLE=0 to run
+    // pure LLE (the recompiled BIOS), which REMAINS the reference implementation
+    // and the oracle — this only flips the default, LLE is still fully linked and
+    // selectable. When on, implemented kernel services are computed in-runtime
+    // against the real guest kernel structures and every other call falls through
+    // to LLE. Implies the HLE boot shell-skip unless bios_hle_keep_intro.
+    // PSX_BIOS_HLE / PSX_BIOS_HLE_KEEP_INTRO env override at launch.
+    // Runtime: runtime/src/bios_hle.c.
+    bool                  bios_hle = true;
     bool                  bios_hle_keep_intro = false;
 
     // hle_scheduler: the HLE tier's standing SUBSYSTEM REPLACEMENT for guest