diff --git a/config/instance-config.js b/config/instance-config.js
index 76a03965..680481a1 100644
--- a/config/instance-config.js
+++ b/config/instance-config.js
@@ -13,6 +13,16 @@
 // adjustments are safe. When in doubt, mirror the structure shown here so other
 // contributors can follow along.
 
+/**
+ * Whether the current deployment should enable developer-centric behavior.
+ *
+ * When `true`, bitvid surfaces extra logging, debug helpers, and experimental
+ * UI affordances intended for development environments. Set the value to
+ * `false` before deploying to production so that end users receive the stable
+ * experience. Downstream modules read this flag via `js/config.js`.
+ */
+export const IS_DEV_MODE = true;
+
 /**
  * The primary administrator for this bitvid instance.
  *
diff --git a/js/config.js b/js/config.js
index ce79dc44..24bd0019 100644
--- a/js/config.js
+++ b/js/config.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 // js/config.js
 
 import {
+  IS_DEV_MODE,
   ADMIN_SUPER_NPUB,
   ADMIN_DM_IMAGE_URL,
   BITVID_WEBSITE_URL,
@@ -26,7 +27,12 @@ import {
   ENSURE_PRESENCE_REBROADCAST_COOLDOWN_SECONDS,
 } from "../config/instance-config.js";
 
-export const isDevMode = true; // Set to false for production
+export const isDevMode = Boolean(IS_DEV_MODE);
+export { IS_DEV_MODE };
+
+if (typeof window !== "undefined") {
+  window.__BITVID_DEV_MODE__ = isDevMode;
+}
 
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Admin governance — production defaults rely on remote Nostr lists