diff --git a/docs/about/installation.mdx b/docs/about/installation.mdx
index d5baa8aa6..daf8b2a87 100644
--- a/docs/about/installation.mdx
+++ b/docs/about/installation.mdx
@@ -29,10 +29,10 @@ runtime.
 curl -LsSf https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NVIDIA/OpenShell/main/install.sh | sh -s -- --compute-driver podman
 ```
 
-Supported values are `docker`, `podman`, `vm`, and `auto`. Podman selection
-also makes the gateway listener reachable from rootless containers. Docker and
-VM selection keep the listener on loopback. `auto` removes an existing driver
-pin so the gateway can detect a runtime. Set
+Supported values are `docker`, `podman`, and `vm`. Podman selection also makes
+the gateway listener reachable from rootless containers. Docker and VM
+selection keep the listener on loopback. Omit the option to retain automatic
+driver selection. Set
 `OPENSHELL_INSTALL_COMPUTE_DRIVER` instead when an environment variable is more
 convenient; the command-line option takes precedence.
 
diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index bbd80c77a..9dc396a95 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@ USAGE:
 
 OPTIONS:
     --compute-driver DRIVER
-                 Persist the gateway compute driver: auto, docker, podman,
-                 or vm. Install the required runtime or driver separately.
+                 Persist the gateway compute driver: docker, podman, or vm.
+                 Install the required runtime or driver separately.
     --help       Print this help message.
 
 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES:
@@ -97,13 +97,13 @@ parse_install_args() {
   done
 
   case "$INSTALL_COMPUTE_DRIVER" in
-    "" | auto | docker | podman | vm)
+    "" | docker | podman | vm)
       ;;
     kubernetes)
       error "--compute-driver kubernetes is not supported by the local installer; use the OpenShell Helm chart"
       ;;
     *)
-      error "unsupported compute driver '${INSTALL_COMPUTE_DRIVER}'; expected auto, docker, podman, or vm"
+      error "unsupported compute driver '${INSTALL_COMPUTE_DRIVER}'; expected docker, podman, or vm"
       ;;
   esac
 }
@@ -749,8 +749,6 @@ configure_gateway_compute_driver() {
     docker | vm)
       set -- "$@" --bind-address "127.0.0.1:${LOCAL_GATEWAY_PORT}"
       ;;
-    auto)
-      ;;
   esac
 
   info "configuring gateway compute driver: ${INSTALL_COMPUTE_DRIVER}"
diff --git a/tasks/scripts/test-install-sh.sh b/tasks/scripts/test-install-sh.sh
index 12fc79537..691c2b4bb 100755
--- a/tasks/scripts/test-install-sh.sh
+++ b/tasks/scripts/test-install-sh.sh
@@ -284,10 +284,10 @@ assert_driver_configuration \
   vm \
   "/test/bin/openshell-gateway config set --compute-driver vm --bind-address 127.0.0.1:17670"
 
-assert_driver_configuration \
-  "auto selection removes only the driver pin" \
-  auto \
-  "/test/bin/openshell-gateway config set --compute-driver auto"
+assert_driver_parse_fails \
+  "compute-driver leaves automatic selection to the default installation" \
+  "unsupported compute driver 'auto'" \
+  --compute-driver auto
 
 assert_driver_prerequisite_notice \
   "docker selection prints prerequisite guidance" \