diff --git a/client/src/input/camera.rs b/client/src/input/camera.rs
index e696215..7a8b552 100644
--- a/client/src/input/camera.rs
+++ b/client/src/input/camera.rs
@@ -195,6 +195,20 @@ mod tests {
         });
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    #[serial]
+    /// Vulkan H.264 hardware encode should stay live-call shaped when available.
+    fn vulkan_h264_encoder_options_keep_cbr_and_keyframes() {
+        temp_env::with_var("LESAVKA_CAM_H264_KBIT", Some("6000"), || {
+            let options = CameraCapture::encoder_options("vulkanh264enc", Some("idr-period"), 30);
+
+            assert_eq!(
+                options,
+                "vulkanh264enc bitrate=6000 rate-control=cbr idr-period=30"
+            );
+        });
+    }
+
     #[test]
     #[serial]
     /// HEVC should recover quickly after freshness drops without changing H.264 knobs.
diff --git a/client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs b/client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs
index 66c20c3..4750ee1 100644
--- a/client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs
+++ b/client/src/input/camera/capture_pipeline.rs
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ impl CameraCapture {
             if output_hevc {
                 Self::choose_hevc_encoder()
             } else {
-                ("x264enc", Some("key-int-max"))
+                Self::choose_encoder()
             }
         } else if output_hevc {
             Self::choose_hevc_encoder()
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ impl CameraCapture {
         };
         match source_profile {
             CameraSourceProfile::Mjpeg if !output_mjpeg => {
-                tracing::info!("📸 using MJPG source with software encode");
+                tracing::info!("📸 using MJPG source with transcoded output");
             }
             CameraSourceProfile::AutoDecode => {
                 tracing::info!("📸 using auto-decoded webcam source (raw/MJPEG accepted)");
@@ -121,6 +121,12 @@ impl CameraCapture {
                     "videoconvert ! video/x-raw,format=I420,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1 !"
                 ),
             #[cfg(not(coverage))]
+            "vulkanh264enc" =>
+                format!(
+                    "videoconvert ! video/x-raw,format=NV12,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1 ! \
+                     vulkanupload ! video/x-raw(memory:VulkanImage),format=NV12,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1 !"
+                ),
+            #[cfg(not(coverage))]
             "vaapih264enc" | "vah265enc" | "vaapih265enc" | "v4l2h265enc" =>
                 format!(
                     "videoconvert ! video/x-raw,format=NV12,width={width},height={height},framerate={fps}/1 !"
@@ -140,7 +146,7 @@ impl CameraCapture {
         // tracing::debug!(%desc, "📸 pipeline-desc");
         // Build a pipeline that works for any of the three encoders.
         //  * NVIDIA encoders prefer NV12, using NVMM when Jetson's converter is present.
-        //  * VAAPI/V4L2 hardware encoders also get explicit NV12 system-memory caps.
+        //  * Vulkan/VAAPI/V4L2 hardware encoders also get explicit NV12 caps.
         //  * x264enc/x265enc keep their software-friendly raw caps.
         let preview_tap_path = camera_preview_tap_path();
         let preview_tap_branch = camera_preview_tap_branch(width, height, fps);
diff --git a/client/src/input/camera/encoder_selection.rs b/client/src/input/camera/encoder_selection.rs
index db4cd41..3a34189 100644
--- a/client/src/input/camera/encoder_selection.rs
+++ b/client/src/input/camera/encoder_selection.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ impl CameraCapture {
     fn pick_encoder() -> (&'static str, &'static str) {
         let encoders = &[
             ("nvh264enc", "video/x-raw(memory:NVMM),format=NV12"),
+            ("vulkanh264enc", "video/x-raw(memory:VulkanImage),format=NV12"),
             ("vaapih264enc", "video/x-raw,format=NV12"),
             ("v4l2h264enc", "video/x-raw"), // RPi, Jetson, etc.
             ("x264enc", "video/x-raw"),     // software
@@ -33,6 +34,12 @@ impl CameraCapture {
                 ),
             );
         }
+        if buildable_encoder("vulkanh264enc") {
+            return (
+                "vulkanh264enc",
+                supported_encoder_property("vulkanh264enc", &["idr-period"]),
+            );
+        }
         if buildable_encoder("vaapih264enc") {
             return (
                 "vaapih264enc",
@@ -56,6 +63,7 @@ impl CameraCapture {
             .map(str::trim)
         {
             Some("nvh264enc") => ("nvh264enc", None),
+            Some("vulkanh264enc") => ("vulkanh264enc", Some("idr-period")),
             Some("vaapih264enc") => ("vaapih264enc", Some("keyframe-period")),
             Some("v4l2h264enc") => ("v4l2h264enc", Some("idrcount")),
             _ => ("x264enc", Some("key-int-max")),
@@ -107,6 +115,12 @@ impl CameraCapture {
             format!(
                 "{enc} tune=zerolatency speed-preset=faster bitrate={bitrate_kbit}{keyframe_opt}"
             )
+        } else if enc == "vulkanh264enc" {
+            let bitrate_kbit = env_u32("LESAVKA_CAM_H264_KBIT", 4500);
+            let keyframe_opt = kf_prop
+                .map(|property| format!(" {property}={keyframe_interval}"))
+                .unwrap_or_default();
+            format!("{enc} bitrate={bitrate_kbit} rate-control=cbr{keyframe_opt}")
         } else if enc == "x265enc" {
             let bitrate_kbit = env_u32("LESAVKA_CAM_HEVC_KBIT", 3000);
             let keyframe_opt = kf_prop
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/recommendations.rs b/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/recommendations.rs
index b195408..eb68021 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/recommendations.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/diagnostics/recommendations.rs
@@ -269,6 +269,7 @@ fn decoder_label_is_hardware(label: &str) -> bool {
     let lower = label.to_ascii_lowercase();
     lower.contains("nvh264dec")
         || lower.contains("nvdec")
+        || lower.contains("vulkanh264dec")
         || lower.contains("vah264dec")
         || lower.contains("vaapih264dec")
         || lower.contains("v4l2slh264dec")
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/preview/feed_runtime.rs b/client/src/launcher/preview/feed_runtime.rs
index 48dc556..8193161 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/preview/feed_runtime.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/preview/feed_runtime.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ impl PreviewFeed {
         let session_active_flag = Arc::clone(&session_active);
         let active_bindings_flag = Arc::clone(&active_bindings);
         let running_flag = Arc::clone(&running);
-        std::thread::spawn(move || {
+        let worker = std::thread::spawn(move || {
             if let Err(err) = run_preview_feed(
                 server_addr,
                 monitor_id,
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ impl PreviewFeed {
             session_active,
             active_bindings,
             running,
+            worker: Arc::new(Mutex::new(Some(worker))),
             profile,
             disabled: false,
         })
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ impl PreviewFeed {
             session_active: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
             active_bindings: Arc::new(AtomicUsize::new(0)),
             running: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
+            worker: Arc::new(Mutex::new(None)),
             profile,
             disabled: true,
         }
@@ -95,6 +97,11 @@ impl PreviewFeed {
             },
             true,
         );
+        if let Ok(mut worker) = self.worker.lock()
+            && let Some(handle) = worker.take()
+        {
+            let _ = handle.join();
+        }
     }
 
     fn replace_status(&self, status: impl Into<String>, clear_picture: bool) {
@@ -236,7 +243,7 @@ fn run_preview_feed(
             }
         });
     }
-    {
+    let sample_worker = {
         let shared = Arc::clone(&shared);
         let appsink = appsink.clone();
         let parser = parser.clone();
@@ -268,19 +275,20 @@ fn run_preview_feed(
                         }
                 }
             }
-        });
-    }
+        })
+    };
 
     let rt = tokio::runtime::Builder::new_current_thread()
         .enable_all()
         .build()
         .context("building preview tokio runtime")?;
 
+    let running_for_loop = Arc::clone(&running);
     let _ = rt.block_on(async move {
         let mut was_active = false;
         let mut retry_delay = Duration::from_millis(750);
         loop {
-            if !running.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+            if !running_for_loop.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
                 break;
             }
             let active_now = session_active.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
@@ -391,7 +399,7 @@ fn run_preview_feed(
                     );
                     loop {
                         if !session_active.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
-                            || !running.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+                            || !running_for_loop.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
                             || active_bindings.load(Ordering::Relaxed) == 0
                         {
                             break;
@@ -487,6 +495,8 @@ fn run_preview_feed(
     });
 
     let _ = pipeline.set_state(gst::State::Null);
+    running.store(false, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    let _ = sample_worker.join();
 
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/preview/feed_state.rs b/client/src/launcher/preview/feed_state.rs
index 11eb398..78c5669 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/preview/feed_state.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/preview/feed_state.rs
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ struct PreviewFeed {
     session_active: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     active_bindings: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
     running: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+    worker: Arc<Mutex<Option<std::thread::JoinHandle<()>>>>,
     profile: PreviewProfile,
     disabled: bool,
 }
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/preview/frame_telemetry.rs b/client/src/launcher/preview/frame_telemetry.rs
index 7320394..32b5231 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/preview/frame_telemetry.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/preview/frame_telemetry.rs
@@ -113,11 +113,15 @@ fn sanitize_preview_request(
     requested_fps: u32,
     max_bitrate_kbit: u32,
 ) -> (i32, i32, u32, u32) {
+    let requested_width = requested_width.max(2);
+    let requested_height = requested_height.max(2);
+    let requested_fps = requested_fps.max(1);
+    let max_bitrate_kbit = max_bitrate_kbit.max(800);
     (
-        requested_width.max(2),
-        requested_height.max(2),
-        requested_fps.max(1),
-        max_bitrate_kbit.max(800),
+        requested_width.min(INLINE_PREVIEW_REQUEST_WIDTH),
+        requested_height.min(INLINE_PREVIEW_REQUEST_HEIGHT),
+        requested_fps.min(INLINE_PREVIEW_REQUEST_FPS),
+        max_bitrate_kbit.min(INLINE_PREVIEW_MAX_KBIT),
     )
 }
 
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/preview/preview_core.rs b/client/src/launcher/preview/preview_core.rs
index def2cff..142cf15 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/preview/preview_core.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/preview/preview_core.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
-use crate::video_support::pick_h264_decoder;
+use crate::video_support::{h264_decoder_launch_fragment, pick_h264_decoder};
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
 use anyhow::{Context, Result};
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
@@ -34,13 +34,13 @@ const PREVIEW_WIDTH: i32 = 960;
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
 const PREVIEW_HEIGHT: i32 = 540;
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
-const INLINE_PREVIEW_REQUEST_WIDTH: i32 = DEFAULT_EYE_SOURCE_WIDTH;
+const INLINE_PREVIEW_REQUEST_WIDTH: i32 = 1280;
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
-const INLINE_PREVIEW_REQUEST_HEIGHT: i32 = DEFAULT_EYE_SOURCE_HEIGHT;
+const INLINE_PREVIEW_REQUEST_HEIGHT: i32 = 720;
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
-const INLINE_PREVIEW_REQUEST_FPS: u32 = DEFAULT_EYE_SOURCE_FPS;
+const INLINE_PREVIEW_REQUEST_FPS: u32 = 30;
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
-const INLINE_PREVIEW_MAX_KBIT: u32 = DEFAULT_EYE_SOURCE_MAX_KBIT;
+const INLINE_PREVIEW_MAX_KBIT: u32 = 6_000;
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
 const DEFAULT_EYE_SOURCE_WIDTH: i32 = 1920;
 #[cfg(not(coverage))]
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/preview/status_pipeline.rs b/client/src/launcher/preview/status_pipeline.rs
index 9ce92fb..05b0896 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/preview/status_pipeline.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/preview/status_pipeline.rs
@@ -184,13 +184,13 @@ fn build_preview_pipeline(
         profile.requested_width.max(2) as u32,
         profile.requested_height.max(2) as u32,
     );
+    let decoder_fragment = h264_decoder_launch_fragment(decoder_name);
     let desc = format!(
         "appsrc name=src is-live=true format=time do-timestamp=true block=false ! \
          queue max-size-buffers=6 max-size-time=0 max-size-bytes=0 leaky=downstream ! \
-         h264parse name=preview_parse disable-passthrough=true ! {} name=decoder ! videoconvert ! \
+         h264parse name=preview_parse disable-passthrough=true ! {decoder_fragment} ! videoconvert ! \
          video/x-raw,format=RGBA,pixel-aspect-ratio=1/1 ! \
          appsink name=sink emit-signals=false sync=false max-buffers=1 drop=true",
-        decoder_name,
     );
     let pipeline = gst::parse::launch(&desc)?
         .downcast::<gst::Pipeline>()
@@ -234,6 +234,7 @@ fn preview_decoder_candidates() -> Vec<String> {
     for name in [
         "avdec_h264",
         "openh264dec",
+        "vulkanh264dec",
         "vah264dec",
         "vaapih264dec",
         "v4l2h264dec",
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/tests/preview.rs b/client/src/launcher/tests/preview.rs
index e2827f2..b218ea0 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/tests/preview.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/tests/preview.rs
@@ -232,9 +232,9 @@ fn breakout_preview_profile_defaults_to_higher_quality() {
 }
 
 #[test]
-fn preview_request_sanitizer_keeps_requested_source_geometry() {
+fn preview_request_sanitizer_caps_docked_preview_budget() {
     let adapted = sanitize_preview_request(1920, 1080, 60, 18_000);
-    assert_eq!(adapted, (1920, 1080, 60, 18_000));
+    assert_eq!(adapted, (1280, 720, 30, 6_000));
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -333,10 +333,10 @@ fn inline_preview_requests_selected_source_profile_on_wire() {
         if let Some(request) = requests.lock().unwrap().last().cloned() {
             assert_eq!(request.id, 1);
             assert_eq!(request.source_id, Some(1));
-            assert_eq!(request.requested_width, 1920);
-            assert_eq!(request.requested_height, 1080);
-            assert_eq!(request.requested_fps, 60);
-            assert_eq!(request.max_bitrate, 18_000);
+            assert_eq!(request.requested_width, 1280);
+            assert_eq!(request.requested_height, 720);
+            assert_eq!(request.requested_fps, 30);
+            assert_eq!(request.max_bitrate, 6_000);
             preview.shutdown_all();
             return;
         }
@@ -385,10 +385,10 @@ fn inline_preview_requests_honest_source_profile_on_wire() {
         if let Some(request) = requests.lock().unwrap().last().cloned() {
             assert_eq!(request.id, 1);
             assert_eq!(request.source_id, Some(1));
-            assert_eq!(request.requested_width, 1920);
-            assert_eq!(request.requested_height, 1080);
-            assert_eq!(request.requested_fps, 60);
-            assert_eq!(request.max_bitrate, 18_000);
+            assert_eq!(request.requested_width, 1280);
+            assert_eq!(request.requested_height, 720);
+            assert_eq!(request.requested_fps, 30);
+            assert_eq!(request.max_bitrate, 6_000);
             preview.shutdown_all();
             return;
         }
@@ -439,8 +439,8 @@ fn inline_preview_requests_native_720p_source_mode_on_wire() {
             assert_eq!(request.source_id, Some(1));
             assert_eq!(request.requested_width, 1280);
             assert_eq!(request.requested_height, 720);
-            assert_eq!(request.requested_fps, 60);
-            assert_eq!(request.max_bitrate, 12_000);
+            assert_eq!(request.requested_fps, 30);
+            assert_eq!(request.max_bitrate, 6_000);
             preview.shutdown_all();
             return;
         }
@@ -491,8 +491,8 @@ fn inline_preview_legacy_low_modes_fall_forward_to_720p_on_wire() {
             assert_eq!(request.source_id, Some(1));
             assert_eq!(request.requested_width, 1280);
             assert_eq!(request.requested_height, 720);
-            assert_eq!(request.requested_fps, 60);
-            assert_eq!(request.max_bitrate, 12_000);
+            assert_eq!(request.requested_fps, 30);
+            assert_eq!(request.max_bitrate, 6_000);
             preview.shutdown_all();
             return;
         }
@@ -531,8 +531,10 @@ fn preview_can_request_other_eye_as_a_distinct_stream() {
         if let Some(request) = requests.lock().unwrap().last().cloned() {
             assert_eq!(request.id, 0);
             assert_eq!(request.source_id, Some(1));
-            assert_eq!(request.requested_width, 1920);
-            assert_eq!(request.requested_height, 1080);
+            assert_eq!(request.requested_width, 1280);
+            assert_eq!(request.requested_height, 720);
+            assert_eq!(request.requested_fps, 30);
+            assert_eq!(request.max_bitrate, 6_000);
             preview.shutdown_all();
             return;
         }
diff --git a/client/src/launcher/tests/ui_preview_profiles.rs b/client/src/launcher/tests/ui_preview_profiles.rs
index 84731aa..305399d 100644
--- a/client/src/launcher/tests/ui_preview_profiles.rs
+++ b/client/src/launcher/tests/ui_preview_profiles.rs
@@ -32,19 +32,19 @@ fn fresh_preview_bootstrap_is_overridden_by_launcher_state_profiles() {
 
     let bootstrap = preview.profile_for_test(1, PreviewSurface::Inline).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(bootstrap.0, 0);
-    assert_eq!(bootstrap.3, 1920);
-    assert_eq!(bootstrap.4, 1080);
-    assert_eq!(bootstrap.5, 60);
-    assert_eq!(bootstrap.6, 18_000);
+    assert_eq!(bootstrap.3, 1280);
+    assert_eq!(bootstrap.4, 720);
+    assert_eq!(bootstrap.5, 30);
+    assert_eq!(bootstrap.6, 6_000);
 
     apply_preview_profiles(&preview, &state);
 
     let inline = preview.profile_for_test(1, PreviewSurface::Inline).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(inline.0, 1);
-    assert_eq!(inline.3, 1920);
-    assert_eq!(inline.4, 1080);
-    assert_eq!(inline.5, 60);
-    assert_eq!(inline.6, 18_000);
+    assert_eq!(inline.3, 1280);
+    assert_eq!(inline.4, 720);
+    assert_eq!(inline.5, 30);
+    assert_eq!(inline.6, 6_000);
 
     let window = preview.profile_for_test(1, PreviewSurface::Window).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(window.0, 1);
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ fn fresh_preview_bootstrap_is_overridden_by_launcher_state_profiles() {
 }
 
 #[test]
-fn source_preview_profile_stays_honest_after_apply() {
+fn source_preview_profile_caps_inline_after_apply() {
     let preview = LauncherPreview::new("http://127.0.0.1:1".to_string()).unwrap();
     let mut state = LauncherState::default();
     state.set_capture_size_preset(1, CaptureSizePreset::P1080);
@@ -66,10 +66,10 @@ fn source_preview_profile_stays_honest_after_apply() {
 
     let inline = preview.profile_for_test(1, PreviewSurface::Inline).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(inline.0, 1);
-    assert_eq!(inline.3, 1920);
-    assert_eq!(inline.4, 1080);
-    assert_eq!(inline.5, 60);
-    assert_eq!(inline.6, 18_000);
+    assert_eq!(inline.3, 1280);
+    assert_eq!(inline.4, 720);
+    assert_eq!(inline.5, 30);
+    assert_eq!(inline.6, 6_000);
 
     preview.shutdown_all();
 }
@@ -105,8 +105,8 @@ fn mirrored_preview_profile_inherits_the_source_eye_mode() {
     assert_eq!(window.0, 1);
     assert_eq!(inline.3, 1280);
     assert_eq!(inline.4, 720);
-    assert_eq!(inline.5, 60);
-    assert_eq!(inline.6, 12_000);
+    assert_eq!(inline.5, 30);
+    assert_eq!(inline.6, 6_000);
     assert_eq!(window.3, 1280);
     assert_eq!(window.4, 720);
     assert_eq!(window.5, 60);
diff --git a/client/src/output/video/monitor_window.rs b/client/src/output/video/monitor_window.rs
index b781b69..cfe0bef 100644
--- a/client/src/output/video/monitor_window.rs
+++ b/client/src/output/video/monitor_window.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ use tracing::{debug, error, info, warn};
 /// Inputs: optional `LESAVKA_H264_DECODER` override and
 /// `LESAVKA_H264_DECODER_PREFERENCE=hardware|software`. Output: a decoder
 /// element name. Why: breakout windows should benefit from NVIDIA proprietary
-/// decode when it is present, while keeping VAAPI/V4L2 and CPU routes usable
+/// decode when it is present, while keeping Vulkan/VAAPI/V4L2 and CPU routes usable
 /// for open-source-driver machines and debugging.
 fn pick_h264_decoder() -> String {
     if let Ok(raw) = std::env::var("LESAVKA_H264_DECODER") {
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ fn h264_decoder_preference_order() -> Vec<&'static str> {
     const HARDWARE: &[&str] = &[
         "nvh264dec",
         "nvh264sldec",
+        "vulkanh264dec",
         "vah264dec",
         "vaapih264dec",
         "v4l2h264dec",
@@ -89,6 +90,26 @@ fn buildable_decoder(name: &str) -> bool {
     gst::ElementFactory::find(name).is_some() && gst::ElementFactory::make(name).build().is_ok()
 }
 
+/// Build the decoder stage selected by `pick_h264_decoder`.
+///
+/// Vulkan decode is the hardware route exposed by some proprietary NVIDIA
+/// installs. It outputs Vulkan memory, so download before handing frames to the
+/// existing sink path.
+fn h264_decoder_launch_fragment(decoder_name: &str) -> String {
+    h264_decoder_launch_fragment_named(decoder_name, "decoder")
+}
+
+fn h264_decoder_launch_fragment_named(decoder_name: &str, element_name: &str) -> String {
+    match decoder_name {
+        "vulkanh264dec" => concat!(
+            "vulkanh264dec name={element_name} discard-corrupted-frames=true ",
+            "automatic-request-sync-points=true ! vulkandownload"
+        )
+        .replace("{element_name}", element_name),
+        name => format!("{name} name={element_name}"),
+    }
+}
+
 pub struct MonitorWindow {
     _pipeline: gst::Pipeline,
     src: gst_app::AppSrc,
@@ -218,11 +239,12 @@ impl MonitorWindow {
             "glimagesink name=sink sync=false"
         };
 
+        let decoder_fragment = h264_decoder_launch_fragment(&decoder_name);
         let desc = format!(
             "appsrc name=src is-live=true format=time do-timestamp=true block=false ! \
              queue max-size-buffers=2 max-size-time=0 max-size-bytes=0 leaky=downstream ! \
              capsfilter caps=video/x-h264,stream-format=byte-stream,alignment=au ! \
-             h264parse disable-passthrough=true ! {decoder_name} name=decoder ! videoconvert ! {sink}"
+             h264parse disable-passthrough=true ! {decoder_fragment} ! videoconvert ! {sink}"
         );
 
         let pipeline: gst::Pipeline = gst::parse::launch(&desc)?
diff --git a/client/src/output/video/unified_monitor.rs b/client/src/output/video/unified_monitor.rs
index 293839c..76aef43 100644
--- a/client/src/output/video/unified_monitor.rs
+++ b/client/src/output/video/unified_monitor.rs
@@ -73,16 +73,18 @@ impl UnifiedMonitorWindow {
             "glimagesink name=sink sync=false"
         };
 
+        let decoder_fragment0 = h264_decoder_launch_fragment_named(&decoder_name, "decoder0");
+        let decoder_fragment1 = h264_decoder_launch_fragment_named(&decoder_name, "decoder1");
         let desc = format!(
             "compositor name=mix background=black ! videoconvert ! {sink} \
              appsrc name=src0 is-live=true format=time do-timestamp=true block=false ! \
              queue max-size-buffers=2 max-size-time=0 max-size-bytes=0 leaky=downstream ! \
              capsfilter caps=video/x-h264,stream-format=byte-stream,alignment=au ! \
-             h264parse disable-passthrough=true ! {decoder_name} name=decoder0 ! videoconvert ! videoscale ! mix. \
+             h264parse disable-passthrough=true ! {decoder_fragment0} ! videoconvert ! videoscale ! mix. \
              appsrc name=src1 is-live=true format=time do-timestamp=true block=false ! \
              queue max-size-buffers=2 max-size-time=0 max-size-bytes=0 leaky=downstream ! \
              capsfilter caps=video/x-h264,stream-format=byte-stream,alignment=au ! \
-             h264parse disable-passthrough=true ! {decoder_name} name=decoder1 ! videoconvert ! videoscale ! mix."
+             h264parse disable-passthrough=true ! {decoder_fragment1} ! videoconvert ! videoscale ! mix."
         );
 
         let pipeline: gst::Pipeline = gst::parse::launch(&desc)?
diff --git a/client/src/sync_probe/capture/video_packets.rs b/client/src/sync_probe/capture/video_packets.rs
index b2b9495..64e98b3 100644
--- a/client/src/sync_probe/capture/video_packets.rs
+++ b/client/src/sync_probe/capture/video_packets.rs
@@ -220,18 +220,26 @@ fn build_encoded_pipeline(camera: CameraConfig) -> Result<gst::Pipeline> {
 /// Why: this probe should run on different developer hosts without hardcoding a
 /// single hardware encoder, while still preferring low-latency behavior.
 fn pick_h264_encoder(fps: u32) -> Result<String> {
+    let fps = fps.max(1);
+    if gst::ElementFactory::find("vulkanh264enc").is_some() {
+        return Ok(format!(
+            "video/x-raw,format=NV12 ! vulkanupload ! \
+             video/x-raw(memory:VulkanImage),format=NV12 ! \
+             vulkanh264enc bitrate=2500 rate-control=cbr idr-period={fps}"
+        ));
+    }
+    if gst::ElementFactory::find("v4l2h264enc").is_some() {
+        return Ok("video/x-raw,format=NV12 ! v4l2h264enc".to_string());
+    }
     if gst::ElementFactory::find("x264enc").is_some() {
         return Ok(format!(
             "x264enc tune=zerolatency speed-preset=ultrafast bitrate=2500 key-int-max={}",
-            fps.max(1)
+            fps
         ));
     }
     if gst::ElementFactory::find("openh264enc").is_some() {
         return Ok("openh264enc bitrate=2500000".to_string());
     }
-    if gst::ElementFactory::find("v4l2h264enc").is_some() {
-        return Ok("v4l2h264enc".to_string());
-    }
     bail!("no usable H.264 encoder found for sync probe")
 }
 
diff --git a/client/src/video_support.rs b/client/src/video_support.rs
index 38deda1..c19710c 100644
--- a/client/src/video_support.rs
+++ b/client/src/video_support.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use gstreamer as gst;
 /// `LESAVKA_H264_DECODER_PREFERENCE=hardware|software`.
 /// Outputs: the chosen decoder element name, or `decodebin` as a last-resort
 /// fallback when no explicit decoder is present.
-/// Why: Lesavka should use GPU decode on NVIDIA/VAAPI/V4L2-capable clients
+/// Why: Lesavka should use GPU decode on NVIDIA/Vulkan/VAAPI/V4L2-capable clients
 /// when possible, while keeping an explicit CPU route for open-source driver
 /// comparisons and driver debugging.
 #[must_use]
@@ -37,12 +37,13 @@ pub fn pick_h264_decoder() -> String {
 ///
 /// Inputs: `LESAVKA_H264_DECODER_PREFERENCE`, if set. Output: ordered decoder
 /// element names. Why: tests and diagnostics need to prove both proprietary
-/// NVIDIA and open-source VAAPI/V4L2 routes stay available before CPU fallback.
+/// NVIDIA, Vulkan, and VAAPI/V4L2 routes stay available before CPU fallback.
 #[must_use]
 pub fn h264_decoder_preference_order() -> Vec<&'static str> {
     const HARDWARE: &[&str] = &[
         "nvh264dec",
         "nvh264sldec",
+        "vulkanh264dec",
         "vah264dec",
         "vaapih264dec",
         "v4l2h264dec",
@@ -71,6 +72,36 @@ pub fn h264_decoder_preference_order() -> Vec<&'static str> {
     candidates
 }
 
+/// Return a parse-launch fragment for the selected H.264 decoder.
+///
+/// Inputs: decoder element name. Output: a pipeline fragment with a stable
+/// `decoder` element name. Why: Vulkan decoders output GPU memory, so they need
+/// an explicit download step before the existing CPU-side sinks can consume
+/// frames; keeping that in one helper prevents hardware decode from being
+/// selected and then immediately failing link negotiation.
+#[must_use]
+pub fn h264_decoder_launch_fragment(decoder_name: &str) -> String {
+    h264_decoder_launch_fragment_named(decoder_name, "decoder")
+}
+
+/// Return a parse-launch fragment for the selected H.264 decoder with a caller-owned element name.
+///
+/// Inputs: decoder element name plus the element name to put in the pipeline.
+/// Output: a pipeline fragment. Why: unified downstream rendering needs two
+/// independent decoder elements, while Vulkan still needs an explicit
+/// download-to-system-memory stage after each decoder.
+#[must_use]
+pub fn h264_decoder_launch_fragment_named(decoder_name: &str, element_name: &str) -> String {
+    match decoder_name {
+        "vulkanh264dec" => concat!(
+            "vulkanh264dec name={element_name} discard-corrupted-frames=true ",
+            "automatic-request-sync-points=true ! vulkandownload"
+        )
+        .replace("{element_name}", element_name),
+        name => format!("{name} name={element_name}"),
+    }
+}
+
 fn buildable_decoder(name: &str) -> bool {
     #[cfg(coverage)]
     if std::env::var("TEST_FAIL_GST_INIT").is_ok() {
diff --git a/scripts/install/client.sh b/scripts/install/client.sh
index 3fefa4f..b316753 100755
--- a/scripts/install/client.sh
+++ b/scripts/install/client.sh
@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ report_client_media_acceleration() {
   log "1e. Inspecting client media acceleration routes"
 
   local hevc_encoder=""
+  local h264_encoder=""
   local h264_decoder=""
   local opus_encoder=""
   local opus_decoder=""
@@ -163,9 +164,16 @@ report_client_media_acceleration() {
     vaapih265enc \
     v4l2h265enc \
     x265enc || true)
+  h264_encoder=$(first_available_gst_element \
+    nvh264enc \
+    vulkanh264enc \
+    vaapih264enc \
+    v4l2h264enc \
+    x264enc || true)
   h264_decoder=$(first_available_gst_element \
     nvh264dec \
     nvh264sldec \
+    vulkanh264dec \
     vah264dec \
     vaapih264dec \
     v4l2h264dec \
@@ -181,6 +189,11 @@ report_client_media_acceleration() {
       proprietary_bits+=("$element")
     fi
   done
+  for element in vulkanh264enc vulkanh264dec vulkanh265dec; do
+    if gst_element_available "$element"; then
+      opensource_bits+=("$element")
+    fi
+  done
   for element in vah265enc vaapih265enc v4l2h265enc vah264dec vaapih264dec v4l2h264dec v4l2slh264dec; do
     if gst_element_available "$element"; then
       opensource_bits+=("$element")
@@ -189,6 +202,12 @@ report_client_media_acceleration() {
 
   if command -v nvidia-smi >/dev/null 2>&1; then
     echo "   ↪ nvidia-smi is available; proprietary NVIDIA driver tooling is present"
+    if [[ -z $hevc_encoder ]] || [[ $hevc_encoder == x265enc ]]; then
+      if gst-inspect-1.0 nvcodec 2>&1 | grep -q 'Unable to initialize CUDA library'; then
+        echo "⚠️  NVIDIA nvcodec is installed but CUDA initialization failed; NVENC HEVC is unavailable to GStreamer."
+        echo "    Vulkan H.264 hardware encode/decode can still be used when the relay profile is H.264."
+      fi
+    fi
   else
     echo "   ↪ nvidia-smi is not available; NVIDIA proprietary tooling was not detected"
   fi
@@ -199,9 +218,9 @@ report_client_media_acceleration() {
     echo "   ↪ proprietary NVIDIA GStreamer route: not exposed"
   fi
   if [[ ${#opensource_bits[@]} -gt 0 ]]; then
-    echo "   ↪ open-source VAAPI/V4L2 GStreamer route: ${opensource_bits[*]}"
+    echo "   ↪ Vulkan/VAAPI/V4L2 GStreamer route: ${opensource_bits[*]}"
   else
-    echo "   ↪ open-source VAAPI/V4L2 GStreamer route: not exposed"
+    echo "   ↪ Vulkan/VAAPI/V4L2 GStreamer route: not exposed"
   fi
 
   if [[ -n $hevc_encoder ]]; then
@@ -209,6 +228,11 @@ report_client_media_acceleration() {
   else
     echo "⚠️  no HEVC encoder was detected; upstream HEVC will need NVIDIA/VAAPI/V4L2 or x265enc"
   fi
+  if [[ -n $h264_encoder ]]; then
+    echo "   ↪ upstream H.264 encoder candidate: $h264_encoder"
+  else
+    echo "⚠️  no H.264 encoder was detected; hardware H.264 uplink will need NVIDIA/Vulkan/VAAPI/V4L2 or x264enc"
+  fi
   if [[ -n $h264_decoder ]]; then
     echo "   ↪ downstream H.264 decoder candidate: $h264_decoder"
   else
diff --git a/tests/compatibility/client/video_support/client_video_support_include_contract.rs b/tests/compatibility/client/video_support/client_video_support_include_contract.rs
index aca0152..53852e8 100644
--- a/tests/compatibility/client/video_support/client_video_support_include_contract.rs
+++ b/tests/compatibility/client/video_support/client_video_support_include_contract.rs
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ fn decoder_auto_order_supports_proprietary_and_open_source_routes() {
         let order = video_support::h264_decoder_preference_order();
         assert_eq!(order.first(), Some(&"nvh264dec"));
         assert!(order.contains(&"nvh264sldec"));
+        assert!(order.contains(&"vulkanh264dec"));
         assert!(order.contains(&"vah264dec"));
         assert!(order.contains(&"vaapih264dec"));
         assert!(order.contains(&"v4l2h264dec"));
@@ -60,6 +61,19 @@ fn decoder_auto_order_supports_proprietary_and_open_source_routes() {
     });
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn vulkan_decoder_fragment_downloads_gpu_memory_before_cpu_sinks() {
+    let fragment = video_support::h264_decoder_launch_fragment("vulkanh264dec");
+    assert!(fragment.contains("vulkanh264dec name=decoder"));
+    assert!(fragment.contains("discard-corrupted-frames=true"));
+    assert!(fragment.contains("automatic-request-sync-points=true"));
+    assert!(fragment.contains("vulkandownload"));
+
+    let named = video_support::h264_decoder_launch_fragment_named("vulkanh264dec", "decoder1");
+    assert!(named.contains("vulkanh264dec name=decoder1"));
+    assert!(named.contains("vulkandownload"));
+}
+
 #[test]
 #[serial]
 fn decoder_auto_order_can_prefer_software_for_driver_comparisons() {
diff --git a/tests/compatibility/downstream/video/downstream_video_mode_decoder_matrix_contract.rs b/tests/compatibility/downstream/video/downstream_video_mode_decoder_matrix_contract.rs
index f4587db..c3b2a18 100644
--- a/tests/compatibility/downstream/video/downstream_video_mode_decoder_matrix_contract.rs
+++ b/tests/compatibility/downstream/video/downstream_video_mode_decoder_matrix_contract.rs
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ fn client_decoder_matrix_prefers_known_h264_decoders_with_decodebin_fallback() {
         "openh264dec",
         "nvh264dec",
         "nvh264sldec",
+        "vulkanh264dec",
         "vah264dec",
         "vaapih264dec",
         "v4l2h264dec",
diff --git a/tests/contract/client/input/camera/client_camera_include_contract.rs b/tests/contract/client/input/camera/client_camera_include_contract.rs
index 6f09c7d..ad62bfe 100644
--- a/tests/contract/client/input/camera/client_camera_include_contract.rs
+++ b/tests/contract/client/input/camera/client_camera_include_contract.rs
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ mod camera_include_contract {
         assert!(
             matches!(
                 enc,
-                "nvh264enc" | "vaapih264enc" | "v4l2h264enc" | "x264enc"
+                "nvh264enc" | "vulkanh264enc" | "vaapih264enc" | "v4l2h264enc" | "x264enc"
             ),
             "unexpected encoder: {enc}"
         );
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ mod camera_include_contract {
         assert!(
             matches!(
                 enc,
-                "nvh264enc" | "vaapih264enc" | "v4l2h264enc" | "x264enc"
+                "nvh264enc" | "vulkanh264enc" | "vaapih264enc" | "v4l2h264enc" | "x264enc"
             ),
             "unexpected encoder: {enc}"
         );
@@ -125,8 +125,10 @@ mod camera_include_contract {
         for expected in [
             "\"nvh264enc\" | \"nvh265enc\" if have_nvvidconv",
             "\"nvh264enc\" | \"nvh265enc\" /* else */",
+            "\"vulkanh264enc\"",
             "\"vaapih264enc\" | \"vah265enc\" | \"vaapih265enc\" | \"v4l2h265enc\"",
             "video/x-raw(memory:NVMM),format=NV12",
+            "video/x-raw(memory:VulkanImage),format=NV12",
             "video/x-raw,format=NV12",
             "video/x-raw,format=I420",
         ] {
@@ -467,6 +469,10 @@ mod camera_include_contract {
             CameraCapture::encoder_options("nvh264enc", None, 30),
             "nvh264enc"
         );
+        assert_eq!(
+            CameraCapture::encoder_options("vulkanh264enc", Some("idr-period"), 30),
+            "vulkanh264enc bitrate=4500 rate-control=cbr idr-period=30"
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/tests/contract/client/output/video/client_output_video_include_contract.rs b/tests/contract/client/output/video/client_output_video_include_contract.rs
index 72740c1..c876e6e 100644
--- a/tests/contract/client/output/video/client_output_video_include_contract.rs
+++ b/tests/contract/client/output/video/client_output_video_include_contract.rs
@@ -135,6 +135,7 @@ mod video_include_contract {
             let order = h264_decoder_preference_order();
             assert_eq!(order.first(), Some(&"nvh264dec"));
             assert!(order.contains(&"nvh264sldec"));
+            assert!(order.contains(&"vulkanh264dec"));
             assert!(order.contains(&"vah264dec"));
             assert!(order.contains(&"vaapih264dec"));
             assert!(order.contains(&"v4l2h264dec"));
@@ -161,6 +162,19 @@ mod video_include_contract {
         });
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn vulkan_decoder_fragment_names_each_decoder_and_downloads_frames() {
+        let fragment = h264_decoder_launch_fragment("vulkanh264dec");
+        assert!(fragment.contains("vulkanh264dec name=decoder"));
+        assert!(fragment.contains("discard-corrupted-frames=true"));
+        assert!(fragment.contains("automatic-request-sync-points=true"));
+        assert!(fragment.contains("vulkandownload"));
+
+        let named = h264_decoder_launch_fragment_named("vulkanh264dec", "decoder1");
+        assert!(named.contains("vulkanh264dec name=decoder1"));
+        assert!(named.contains("vulkandownload"));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     #[serial]
     fn monitor_window_new_covers_x11_backend_path() {
diff --git a/tests/installer/scripts/install/client_install_script_contract.rs b/tests/installer/scripts/install/client_install_script_contract.rs
index 252fc94..f54c5e7 100644
--- a/tests/installer/scripts/install/client_install_script_contract.rs
+++ b/tests/installer/scripts/install/client_install_script_contract.rs
@@ -86,11 +86,17 @@ fn client_install_reports_nvidia_and_open_source_media_routes() {
         "gst_element_available",
         "first_available_gst_element",
         "nvidia-smi is available",
+        "NVIDIA nvcodec is installed but CUDA initialization failed",
+        "relay profile is H.264",
         "proprietary NVIDIA GStreamer route",
-        "open-source VAAPI/V4L2 GStreamer route",
+        "Vulkan/VAAPI/V4L2 GStreamer route",
         "nvh265enc",
+        "nvh264enc",
         "nvh264dec",
         "nvh264sldec",
+        "vulkanh264enc",
+        "vulkanh264dec",
+        "vulkanh265dec",
         "vah265enc",
         "vaapih265enc",
         "v4l2h265enc",
@@ -99,6 +105,8 @@ fn client_install_reports_nvidia_and_open_source_media_routes() {
         "v4l2h264dec",
         "v4l2slh264dec",
         "x265enc",
+        "x264enc",
+        "upstream H.264 encoder candidate",
         "avdec_h264",
         "openh264dec",
         "opusenc",