diff --git a/build_scripts/steamframe/package-release.sh b/build_scripts/steamframe/package-release.sh
index 1daa90f..db28294 100755
--- a/build_scripts/steamframe/package-release.sh
+++ b/build_scripts/steamframe/package-release.sh
@@ -45,7 +45,10 @@ cat > "$out/install.sh" <<EOF
 cd "\$(dirname "\$0")" || exit 1
 # An update replaces the files of a running instance: stop it first.
 pkill -f "/$exe( |\\\$)" 2>/dev/null && sleep 1
-./$exe --force-install-manifest || exit 1
+# OVRAS creates its QApplication before handling the manifest options, and
+# Qt's default platform plugin (xcb) aborts without a display, e.g. over SSH.
+# Registering draws nothing, so use the display-less "offscreen" plugin.
+QT_QPA_PLATFORM=offscreen ./$exe --force-install-manifest || exit 1
 # Start now. Over SSH there is no display; Qt needs one even for off-screen
 # rendering, so use the Frame's (:0).
 DISPLAY="\${DISPLAY:-:0}" nohup ./$exe >/dev/null 2>&1 &
@@ -58,7 +61,8 @@ cat > "$out/uninstall.sh" <<EOF
 # be deleted afterwards.
 cd "\$(dirname "\$0")" || exit 1
 pkill -f "/$exe( |\\\$)" 2>/dev/null
-exec ./$exe --force-remove-manifest
+# No display needed for unregistering (see install.sh).
+exec env QT_QPA_PLATFORM=offscreen ./$exe --force-remove-manifest
 EOF
 
 cat > "$out/run.sh" <<EOF
diff --git a/docs/steamframe/PROGRESS.md b/docs/steamframe/PROGRESS.md
index 2dd9d52..34fbfb3 100644
--- a/docs/steamframe/PROGRESS.md
+++ b/docs/steamframe/PROGRESS.md
@@ -172,13 +172,30 @@
 - **Result:** `APPLICATION_VERSION="5.8.17-release"`, `CMAKE_PROJECT_VERSION=5.8.17`, package
   `dist/AdvancedSettings-5.8.17-linux-arm64.tar.gz` (3.0 MB).
 
+### Fix: manifest commands without a display (2026-10-07)
+
+- **Problem (first deploy to the Frame):** `install.sh` aborted with a core dump in
+  `./AdvancedSettings_app --force-install-manifest`. Log: "could not connect to display",
+  then "no Qt platform plugin could be initialized" (fatal).
+- **Cause:** `main.cpp` creates the `QApplication` before it handles the manifest options.
+  Qt's default platform plugin (`xcb`) aborts without a display, and over SSH there is
+  none. `install.sh` set `DISPLAY=:0` only for the start, not for registering.
+  `uninstall.sh` (`--force-remove-manifest`) had the same problem.
+- **Fix (`package-release.sh`, generated scripts only):** both manifest calls run with
+  `QT_QPA_PLATFORM=offscreen`. Registering draws nothing, so it needs no display at all.
+  The normal start keeps `DISPLAY=:0` (`xcb`), because rendering needs a real OpenGL/Vulkan
+  context. No change to the program.
+- **Result:** package rebuilt (`--no-build`), generated scripts checked with `sh -n`.
+- **Not tested yet:** the fix itself on the Frame (T1, T11). No local x86 build was at hand
+  for a test without a display.
+
 ### Test checklist on the Frame (step 5)
 
 Deploy: `build_scripts/steamframe/deploy-to-frame.sh <user>@<frame>` (SteamVR running).
 
 | # | Check | Criterion | Result |
 |---|---|---|---|
-| T1 | `install.sh`: registration works (log: "Manifest reinstalled", via Background) | R2 | open |
+| T1 | `install.sh`: registration works (log: "Manifest reinstalled", via Background) | R2 | first try failed: abort without a display (fixed, see above); retest open |
 | T2 | Tab appears in the dashboard, UI correct (OpenGL) | R2, R3 | open |
 | T3 | `./run.sh vulkan`: UI correct | R3 | open |
 | T4 | Laser right way up, click, scrolling on several pages (both APIs) | R4 | open |