diff --git a/src/kitty_workbench/server.py b/src/kitty_workbench/server.py
index f0b1a23..a692543 100644
--- a/src/kitty_workbench/server.py
+++ b/src/kitty_workbench/server.py
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ class KittWorkbenchServer:
 
     async def kitt_display(self, project: str, widget: str, content: str = "",
                            items: str = "", id: str = "", label: str = "",
-                           placeholder: str = "", pane: str = "main", clear: bool = False) -> str:
+                           placeholder: str = "", pane: str = "main", clear: bool = True) -> str:
         if project not in self._connections:
             return json.dumps({"error": f"Project '{project}' not open. Call kitt_open first."})
         cmd = DisplayCmd(
@@ -216,8 +216,8 @@ def create_mcp_server(workbench_dir: Path = DEFAULT_WORKBENCH_DIR, socket_dir: s
     @mcp.tool()
     async def kitt_display(project: str, widget: str, content: str = "", items: str = "",
                            id: str = "", label: str = "", placeholder: str = "",
-                           pane: str = "main", clear: bool = False) -> str:
-        """Push content to the display pane. Widget types: 'markdown' (rendered text), 'table' (columns+rows as JSON in content), 'checklist' (items as JSON array), 'button' (needs id+label), 'input' (text field — needs id+placeholder, user must press Enter to submit). Tell the user to press Enter to submit text inputs. Use kitt_events to read user interactions."""
+                           pane: str = "main", clear: bool = True) -> str:
+        """Push content to the display pane. Clears the target pane first by default (set clear=false to append instead). Widget types: 'markdown' (rendered text), 'table' (columns+rows as JSON in content), 'checklist' (items as JSON array), 'button' (needs id+label), 'input' (text field — needs id+placeholder, user must press Enter to submit). Tell the user to press Enter to submit text inputs. Use kitt_events to read user interactions."""
         return await srv.kitt_display(project, widget, content, items, id, label, placeholder, pane, clear)
 
     @mcp.tool()