diff --git a/docs/rewrite/notes/verification-VR.md b/docs/rewrite/notes/verification-VR.md
index 157bcf1..61c1f75 100644
--- a/docs/rewrite/notes/verification-VR.md
+++ b/docs/rewrite/notes/verification-VR.md
@@ -65,7 +65,9 @@ grep NEEDED` has no `libwayland-client`. Regression: `quick_terminal_layer_surfa
 - `tests/gtk_replay.rs` (root package, runs the real binary on the current Wayland/X11 session; skips without a
   display or with `GHOSTTY_SKIP_GTK_REPLAY`): IME flow, paste deny/confirm, OSC 52 write/read ask (+remember),
   quick terminal layer surface/toggle/autohide/no-autohide, horizontal scroll tab switching. ~45 s total, serialized
-  (they share the session clipboard).
+  (they share the session clipboard). The harness sets `RUST_LOG=debug` and
+  `GHOSTTY_LOG=stderr` for the app so replay assertions and Wayland layer-shell
+  detection work independently of the default log level and inherited logging settings.
 - Parser unit tests for the new steps in `debug_input.rs`.
 
 ## Notes
diff --git a/tests/gtk_replay.rs b/tests/gtk_replay.rs
index 26b84ff..41d13d4 100644
--- a/tests/gtk_replay.rs
+++ b/tests/gtk_replay.rs
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 //!
 //! Skipped (passes) when there is no display or `GHOSTTY_SKIP_GTK_REPLAY` is
 //! set. The tests share the session clipboard, so they run one at a time.
+//! Child processes explicitly enable debug logs on stderr: replay assertions
+//! and layer-shell detection must not depend on the user's logging settings.
 
 use std::{
     path::{Path, PathBuf},
@@ -72,6 +74,9 @@ fn run(script: &str, extra: &[&str], child: &str) -> Run {
         .args(extra)
         .args(["-e", "sh", "-c", child])
         .env("GHOSTTY_DEBUG_INPUT_SCRIPT", &script_path)
+        // Replay output is warn-level; Wayland capability detection is debug-level.
+        .env("RUST_LOG", "debug")
+        .env("GHOSTTY_LOG", "stderr")
         .stdin(Stdio::null())
         .stdout(Stdio::null())
         .stderr(Stdio::piped())