diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2176c42..0e5c728 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -160,10 +160,10 @@ When running, the following hotkeys are available:
 
 | Hotkey | Function |
 | ------ | -------- |
-| <kbd>Esc</kbd> | Exit FORGE | 
+| <kbd>Esc</kbd> | Exit FORGE |
 | <kbd>R</kbd> | Randomize internal values |
 | <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>R</kbd> | Reset internal values to 0 |
-| <kbd>D</kbd> | Demo mode On/Off | 
+| <kbd>D</kbd> | Demo mode On/Off |
 | <kbd>A</kbd> | Auto Random mode On/Off |
 | <kbd>&larr;</kbd> / <kbd>&rarr;</kbd> | Auto Random Cycle -/+ 1 |
 | <kbd>&uarr;</kbd> / <kbd>&darr;</kbd> | BPM +/- 1 |
@@ -175,14 +175,16 @@ These are configurable in the [`forge_project.cfg`](#forge_projectcfg).
 ### CLI arguments
 
 ```txt
-usage: forge [-h] [-v] [-p=PROJECT_PATH] [-c=CFG_FILE] [-hr] [-s=SCREEN] [-m=SCREEN] [-mo] [-w] [-t=TEMPO] [-d] [-ar / -nar] [-arc=CYCLES] [-vi=FILE] [-vs=SIZE] [-is=SIZE] [-ls / -nls] [-ss / -nss] [-tm] [-tf] 
+forge steel-dev
+
+usage: forge [-h] [-v] [-p=PROJECT_PATH] [-c=CFG_FILE] [-hr] [-s=SCREEN] [-m=SCREEN] [-mo] [-w] [-t=TEMPO] [-d] [-ar / -nar] [-arc=CYCLES] [-vi=FILE] [-vs=SIZE] [-vr / -nvr] [-is=SIZE] [-ls / -nls] [-ss / -nss] [-tm] [-tf]
 
 Fusion Of Real-time Generative Effects.
 
 options:
   -h, --help                  show this help message and exit
   -v, --version               print version
-  -p, --project               forge project directory (default: /usr/share/forge/default)
+  -p, --project               forge project directory (default: ./default)
   -c, --config                config file name (default: forge_project.cfg)
   -hr, --hot-reload           hot reload of shaders scripts
   -s, --screen                output screen number (default: primary)
@@ -196,6 +198,8 @@ options:
   -arc, --auto-random-cycle   auto random cycle length (default: 4)
   -vi, --video-in             path to video capture device (multiple allowed)
   -vs, --video-size           video capture desired height (default: internal texture height)
+  -vr, --video-reconnect      auto-reconnect video (default)
+  -nvr, --no-video-reconnect  do not auto-reconnect video
   -is, --internal-size        internal texture height (default: 720)
   -ls, --load-state           load saved state (default)
   -nls, --no-load-state       do not load saved state
diff --git a/src/args.c b/src/args.c
index 04aa113..bad6ba1 100644
--- a/src/args.c
+++ b/src/args.c
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ static void print_help(int status_code) {
 #ifdef VIDEO_IN
       "[-vi=FILE] "
       "[-vs=SIZE] "
+      "[-vr / -nvr] "
 #endif /* VIDEO_IN */
       "[-is=SIZE] "
       "[-ls / -nls] "
@@ -63,6 +64,8 @@ static void print_help(int status_code) {
       "allowed)\n"
       "  -vs, --video-size           video capture desired height (default: "
       "internal texture height)\n"
+      "  -vr, --video-reconnect      auto-reconnect video (default)\n"
+      "  -nvr, --no-video-reconnect  do not auto-reconnect video\n"
 #endif /* VIDEO_IN */
       "  -is, --internal-size        internal texture height (default: 720)\n"
       "  -ls, --load-state           load saved state (default)\n"
@@ -130,6 +133,7 @@ void args_parse(Parameters *params, int argc, char **argv) {
   params->auto_random_cycle = 4;
   params->video_in.length = 0;
   params->video_size = 0;
+  params->video_reconnect = true;
   params->internal_size = 720;
   params->load_state = true;
   params->save_state = true;
@@ -195,6 +199,18 @@ void args_parse(Parameters *params, int argc, char **argv) {
       }
 #else
       invalid_arg(arg);
+#endif /* VIDEO_IN */
+    } else if (is_arg(arg, "-vr") || is_arg(arg, "--video-reconnect")) {
+#ifdef VIDEO_IN
+      params->video_reconnect = true;
+#else
+      invalid_arg(arg);
+#endif /* VIDEO_IN */
+    } else if (is_arg(arg, "-nvr") || is_arg(arg, "--no-video-reconnect")) {
+#ifdef VIDEO_IN
+      params->video_reconnect = false;
+#else
+      invalid_arg(arg);
 #endif /* VIDEO_IN */
     } else if (is_arg(arg, "-is") || is_arg(arg, "--internal-size")) {
       params->internal_size = parse_uint(arg, value);
diff --git a/src/forge.c b/src/forge.c
index 58cf919..2462244 100644
--- a/src/forge.c
+++ b/src/forge.c
@@ -121,6 +121,9 @@ static bool start_video_captures(unsigned int video_count, bool trace_fps) {
       return false;
     }
   }
+  if (!init_params.video_reconnect) {
+    return true;
+  }
   pid = fork();
   if (pid < 0) {
     log_error("Could not create subprocess");
@@ -268,10 +271,12 @@ static bool loop(bool hr, bool trace_fps) {
   }
 
 #ifdef VIDEO_IN
-  for (unsigned int i = 0; i < context->inputs.length; i++) {
-    if (context->inputs.values[i].needs_reload) {
-      shaders_relink_input(&program, &project, &context->inputs, i);
-      context->inputs.values[i].needs_reload = false;
+  if (init_params.video_reconnect) {
+    for (unsigned int i = 0; i < context->inputs.length; i++) {
+      if (context->inputs.values[i].needs_reload) {
+        shaders_relink_input(&program, &project, &context->inputs, i);
+        context->inputs.values[i].needs_reload = false;
+      }
     }
   }
 #endif /* VIDEO_IN */
diff --git a/src/types.h b/src/types.h
index 0f58520..5a2d9cd 100644
--- a/src/types.h
+++ b/src/types.h
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ typedef struct Parameters {
   StringArray video_in;
   unsigned int video_size;
   unsigned int internal_size;
+  bool video_reconnect;
   bool load_state;
   bool save_state;
   bool trace_midi;