diff --git a/.chezmoiignore.tmpl b/.chezmoiignore.tmpl
index 7612c22..c4119a8 100644
--- a/.chezmoiignore.tmpl
+++ b/.chezmoiignore.tmpl
@@ -17,3 +17,9 @@ README.md
 40-install-sway.sh
 40-install-sway-gentoo.sh
 {{ end }}
+
+# herdr runtime state — only config.toml is managed
+.config/herdr/session.json
+.config/herdr/*.log
+.config/herdr/.plugins.lock
+.config/herdr/*.sock
diff --git a/dot_config/herdr/config.toml b/dot_config/herdr/config.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..05a163e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dot_config/herdr/config.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+[ui]
+status_indicators = "symbols"
+
+show_agent_labels_on_pane_borders = true
+[theme]
+name = "gruvbox"
+auto_switch = false
+
+[ui.toast]
+delivery = "system"