diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 73c802c..f5da7ca 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ Serie - A rich git commit graph in your terminal, like magic 📚
 Usage: serie [OPTIONS]
 
 Options:
-  -p, --protocol <TYPE>  Image protocol to render graph [default: iterm] [possible values: iterm, kitty]
+  -p, --protocol <TYPE>  Image protocol to render graph [default: auto] [possible values: auto, iterm, kitty]
   -o, --order <TYPE>     Commit ordering algorithm [default: chrono] [possible values: chrono, topo]
       --no-cache         Do not use graph image cache
   -h, --help             Print help
@@ -101,6 +101,8 @@ Options:
 #### -p, --protocol \<TYPE\>
 
 A protocol type for rendering images of commit graphs.
+By default `auto` will guess the best supported protocal for the current terminal.
+Kitty terminals are detected as `kitty` via an environment variable, and all others are assumed to support `iterm`.
 
 Refer to [Compatibility](#compatibility) for details.
 
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index a85e535..9dfcaed 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ mod view;
 mod widget;
 
 use std::{
+    env,
     io::{stdout, Stdout},
     panic,
     path::Path,
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ use ratatui::{
 #[command(version)]
 struct Args {
     /// Image protocol to render graph
-    #[arg(short, long, value_name = "TYPE", default_value = "iterm")]
+    #[arg(short, long, value_name = "TYPE", default_value = "auto")]
     protocol: ImageProtocolType,
 
     /// Commit ordering algorithm
@@ -47,6 +48,7 @@ struct Args {
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, ValueEnum)]
 enum ImageProtocolType {
+    Auto,
     Iterm,
     Kitty,
 }
@@ -54,6 +56,7 @@ enum ImageProtocolType {
 impl From<ImageProtocolType> for protocol::ImageProtocol {
     fn from(protocol: ImageProtocolType) -> Self {
         match protocol {
+            ImageProtocolType::Auto => auto_detect_best_protocol(),
             ImageProtocolType::Iterm => protocol::ImageProtocol::Iterm2,
             ImageProtocolType::Kitty => protocol::ImageProtocol::Kitty,
         }
@@ -96,6 +99,16 @@ fn initialize_panic_handler() {
     }));
 }
 
+// By default assume the Iterm2 is the best protocol to use for all terminals *unless* an env
+// variable is set that suggests the terminal is probably Kitty.
+fn auto_detect_best_protocol() -> protocol::ImageProtocol {
+    if env::var("KITTY_WINDOW_ID").is_ok() {
+        protocol::ImageProtocol::Kitty
+    } else {
+        protocol::ImageProtocol::Iterm2
+    }
+}
+
 pub fn run() -> std::io::Result<()> {
     color_eyre::install().unwrap();
     let args = Args::parse();