diff --git a/src/pobsync/commands/run_scheduled.py b/src/pobsync/commands/run_scheduled.py
index 435e5ac..8076625 100644
--- a/src/pobsync/commands/run_scheduled.py
+++ b/src/pobsync/commands/run_scheduled.py
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@ def run_scheduled(
     config_source: ConfigSource | None = None,
     run_id: int | None = None,
     cancel_check: Callable[[], bool] | None = None,
+    verbose_output: bool = False,
 ) -> dict[str, Any]:
 
     host = sanitize_host(host)
@@ -228,6 +229,7 @@ def run_scheduled(
             "log": str(dryrun_log),
             "cancelled": result.cancelled,
             "timeout_seconds": effective_timeout_seconds,
+            "verbose_output": True,
             "ssh_credential": cfg.get("ssh_credential"),
             "rsync": {
                 "exit_code": result.exit_code,
@@ -276,6 +278,7 @@ def run_scheduled(
             bwlimit_kbps=bwlimit_kbps,
             extra_excludes=list(excludes),
             extra_includes=list(includes),
+            verbose_output=bool(verbose_output),
         )
 
         meta: dict[str, Any] = {
@@ -284,6 +287,7 @@ def run_scheduled(
             "host": host,
             "type": "scheduled",
             "label": None,
+            "verbose_output": bool(verbose_output),
             "status": "running",
             "started_at": format_iso_z(ts),
             "ended_at": None,
@@ -328,6 +332,7 @@ def run_scheduled(
                 "status": meta["status"],
                 "cancelled": result.cancelled,
                 "log": str(log_path),
+                "verbose_output": bool(verbose_output),
                 "ssh_credential": cfg.get("ssh_credential"),
                 "rsync": {
                     "exit_code": result.exit_code,
@@ -362,5 +367,6 @@ def run_scheduled(
             "snapshot": str(final_dir),
             "base": str(base_dir) if base_dir else None,
             "rsync": {"exit_code": result.exit_code},
+            "verbose_output": bool(verbose_output),
             "prune": prune_result,
         }
diff --git a/src/pobsync/rsync.py b/src/pobsync/rsync.py
index d3b5990..8ab6c79 100644
--- a/src/pobsync/rsync.py
+++ b/src/pobsync/rsync.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Callable, Sequence
 
 
-DEFAULT_DRY_RUN_OUTPUT_ARGS = ["--itemize-changes", "--info=flist2,progress2,stats2"]
+DEFAULT_VERBOSE_OUTPUT_ARGS = ["--itemize-changes", "--info=flist2,progress2,stats2"]
 
 
 @dataclass(frozen=True)
@@ -43,12 +43,13 @@ def build_rsync_command(
     bwlimit_kbps: int,
     extra_excludes: Sequence[str],
     extra_includes: Sequence[str],
+    verbose_output: bool = False,
 ) -> list[str]:
     cmd: list[str] = [rsync_binary]
 
     cmd.extend(list(rsync_args))
-    if dry_run:
-        _append_default_dry_run_output_args(cmd)
+    if dry_run or verbose_output:
+        _append_default_verbose_output_args(cmd)
 
     # includes/excludes: keep it simple for now:
     # - if includes are provided, user is responsible for correct rsync include logic.
@@ -123,7 +124,7 @@ def _terminate_process_group(process: subprocess.Popen) -> None:
         process.wait(timeout=10)
 
 
-def _append_default_dry_run_output_args(command: list[str]) -> None:
+def _append_default_verbose_output_args(command: list[str]) -> None:
     if not _has_itemize_arg(command):
         command.append("--itemize-changes")
     if not any(arg.startswith("--info=") for arg in command):
diff --git a/src/pobsync_backend/backup_runner.py b/src/pobsync_backend/backup_runner.py
index 8f4876b..26372be 100644
--- a/src/pobsync_backend/backup_runner.py
+++ b/src/pobsync_backend/backup_runner.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ def queue_backup_run(
     host: HostConfig,
     run_type: str = BackupRun.RunType.MANUAL,
     dry_run: bool = False,
+    verbose_output: bool = False,
     prune: bool = False,
     prune_max_delete: int = 10,
     prune_protect_bases: bool = False,
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ def queue_backup_run(
         result={
             "requested": {
                 "dry_run": bool(dry_run),
+                "verbose_output": bool(dry_run or verbose_output),
                 "prune": bool(prune),
                 "prune_max_delete": int(prune_max_delete),
                 "prune_protect_bases": bool(prune_protect_bases),
@@ -42,6 +44,7 @@ def execute_backup_run(
     run: BackupRun,
     prefix: Path,
     dry_run: bool = False,
+    verbose_output: bool = False,
     prune: bool = False,
     prune_max_delete: int = 10,
     prune_protect_bases: bool = False,
@@ -60,6 +63,7 @@ def execute_backup_run(
             config_source=DjangoConfigSource(),
             run_id=run.id,
             cancel_check=lambda: _run_cancel_requested(run.id),
+            verbose_output=bool(dry_run or verbose_output),
         )
     except Exception as exc:
         run.refresh_from_db()
diff --git a/src/pobsync_backend/forms.py b/src/pobsync_backend/forms.py
index 9a4b3f8..887c082 100644
--- a/src/pobsync_backend/forms.py
+++ b/src/pobsync_backend/forms.py
@@ -133,6 +133,11 @@ class ManualBackupForm(forms.Form):
         initial=True,
         help_text="Queue rsync in dry-run mode without writing a snapshot.",
     )
+    verbose_output = forms.BooleanField(
+        label="Verbose rsync output",
+        required=False,
+        help_text="Write itemized rsync changes, file-list progress, and stats to the run log. Dry-runs always use this.",
+    )
     prune = forms.BooleanField(
         label="Apply retention after success",
         required=False,
diff --git a/src/pobsync_backend/management/commands/run_pobsync_backup.py b/src/pobsync_backend/management/commands/run_pobsync_backup.py
index d54fcee..a0ffcce 100644
--- a/src/pobsync_backend/management/commands/run_pobsync_backup.py
+++ b/src/pobsync_backend/management/commands/run_pobsync_backup.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         parser.add_argument("host", help="Host to back up")
         parser.add_argument("--prefix", default=settings.POBSYNC_HOME, help="Pobsync home directory")
         parser.add_argument("--dry-run", action="store_true", help="Run rsync --dry-run")
+        parser.add_argument("--verbose-rsync", action="store_true", help="Write itemized rsync output to the run log")
         parser.add_argument("--prune", action="store_true", help="Apply retention after a successful run")
         parser.add_argument("--prune-max-delete", type=int, default=10)
         parser.add_argument("--prune-protect-bases", action="store_true")
@@ -35,11 +36,21 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             host=host,
             run_type=BackupRun.RunType.MANUAL if options["manual"] else BackupRun.RunType.SCHEDULED,
             status=BackupRun.Status.RUNNING,
+            result={
+                "requested": {
+                    "dry_run": bool(options["dry_run"]),
+                    "verbose_output": bool(options["dry_run"] or options["verbose_rsync"]),
+                    "prune": bool(options["prune"]),
+                    "prune_max_delete": int(options["prune_max_delete"]),
+                    "prune_protect_bases": bool(options["prune_protect_bases"]),
+                }
+            },
         )
         execute_backup_run(
             run=run,
             prefix=paths.home,
             dry_run=bool(options["dry_run"]),
+            verbose_output=bool(options["dry_run"] or options["verbose_rsync"]),
             prune=bool(options["prune"]),
             prune_max_delete=int(options["prune_max_delete"]),
             prune_protect_bases=bool(options["prune_protect_bases"]),
diff --git a/src/pobsync_backend/management/commands/run_pobsync_worker.py b/src/pobsync_backend/management/commands/run_pobsync_worker.py
index 303c951..e1288c0 100644
--- a/src/pobsync_backend/management/commands/run_pobsync_worker.py
+++ b/src/pobsync_backend/management/commands/run_pobsync_worker.py
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
                 run=run,
                 prefix=prefix,
                 dry_run=bool(options.get("dry_run", False)),
+                verbose_output=bool(options.get("verbose_output", False)),
                 prune=bool(options.get("prune", False)),
                 prune_max_delete=int(options.get("prune_max_delete", 10)),
                 prune_protect_bases=bool(options.get("prune_protect_bases", False)),
diff --git a/src/pobsync_backend/templates/pobsync_backend/host_detail.html b/src/pobsync_backend/templates/pobsync_backend/host_detail.html
index f812772..fc2be55 100644
--- a/src/pobsync_backend/templates/pobsync_backend/host_detail.html
+++ b/src/pobsync_backend/templates/pobsync_backend/host_detail.html
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@
       <form class="inline-form" method="post" action="{% url 'queue_manual_backup' host.host %}">
         {% csrf_token %}
         <input type="hidden" name="dry_run" value="on">
+        <input type="hidden" name="verbose_output" value="on">
         <input type="hidden" name="prune_max_delete" value="10">
         <button type="submit" class="secondary" {% if not can_queue_backup %}disabled{% endif %}>Queue dry-run</button>
       </form>
diff --git a/src/pobsync_backend/templates/pobsync_backend/run_detail.html b/src/pobsync_backend/templates/pobsync_backend/run_detail.html
index c8bc9d3..5c9581c 100644
--- a/src/pobsync_backend/templates/pobsync_backend/run_detail.html
+++ b/src/pobsync_backend/templates/pobsync_backend/run_detail.html
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@
       <h2>Requested Options</h2>
       <div class="stack">
         <div><strong>Dry run:</strong> {{ requested.dry_run|yesno:"yes,no" }}</div>
+        <div><strong>Verbose rsync output:</strong> {{ requested.verbose_output|yesno:"yes,no" }}</div>
         <div><strong>Apply retention:</strong> {{ requested.prune|yesno:"yes,no" }}</div>
         <div><strong>Retention max delete:</strong> {{ requested.prune_max_delete }}</div>
         <div><strong>Protect bases:</strong> {{ requested.prune_protect_bases|yesno:"yes,no" }}</div>
diff --git a/src/pobsync_backend/tests/test_backup_worker.py b/src/pobsync_backend/tests/test_backup_worker.py
index f24d49c..1f7175c 100644
--- a/src/pobsync_backend/tests/test_backup_worker.py
+++ b/src/pobsync_backend/tests/test_backup_worker.py
@@ -32,12 +32,20 @@ class BackupWorkerTests(TestCase):
             run.result["requested"],
             {
                 "dry_run": True,
+                "verbose_output": True,
                 "prune": True,
                 "prune_max_delete": 3,
                 "prune_protect_bases": True,
             },
         )
 
+    def test_queue_backup_run_can_request_verbose_output(self) -> None:
+        host = HostConfig.objects.create(host="web-01", address="web-01.example.test")
+
+        run = queue_backup_run(host=host, verbose_output=True)
+
+        self.assertTrue(run.result["requested"]["verbose_output"])
+
     def test_worker_executes_next_queued_run(self) -> None:
         with TemporaryDirectory() as tmp:
             backup_root = Path(tmp) / "backups"
@@ -47,7 +55,7 @@ class BackupWorkerTests(TestCase):
             meta_dir = snapshot_dir / "meta"
             meta_dir.mkdir(parents=True)
             write_yaml_atomic(meta_dir / "meta.yaml", {"status": "success", "started_at": "2026-05-19T02:15:00Z"})
-            run = queue_backup_run(host=host)
+            run = queue_backup_run(host=host, verbose_output=True)
 
             with patch("pobsync_backend.backup_runner.run_scheduled") as run_scheduled:
                 def fake_run_scheduled(**kwargs):
@@ -68,6 +76,7 @@ class BackupWorkerTests(TestCase):
 
         self.assertEqual(count, 1)
         self.assertEqual(run_scheduled.call_args.kwargs["run_id"], run.id)
+        self.assertTrue(run_scheduled.call_args.kwargs["verbose_output"])
         run.refresh_from_db()
         self.assertEqual(run.status, BackupRun.Status.SUCCESS)
         self.assertEqual(SnapshotRecord.objects.count(), 1)
diff --git a/src/pobsync_backend/tests/test_run_scheduled_config_source.py b/src/pobsync_backend/tests/test_run_scheduled_config_source.py
index 0d97e87..c1e6d2d 100644
--- a/src/pobsync_backend/tests/test_run_scheduled_config_source.py
+++ b/src/pobsync_backend/tests/test_run_scheduled_config_source.py
@@ -160,6 +160,45 @@ class RunScheduledConfigSourceTests(SimpleTestCase):
         self.assertNotIn("--info=flist2,progress2,stats2", command)
         self.assertIn("--info=name1,stats2", command)
 
+    def test_real_run_can_request_verbose_output_args(self) -> None:
+        with TemporaryDirectory() as tmp:
+            prefix = Path(tmp) / "home"
+
+            with patch("pobsync.commands.run_scheduled.run_rsync") as run_rsync:
+                run_rsync.return_value = RsyncResult(exit_code=0, command=["rsync", "--archive"])
+                result = run_scheduled(
+                    prefix=prefix,
+                    host="web-01",
+                    dry_run=False,
+                    verbose_output=True,
+                    config_source=FakeConfigSource(backup_root=str(Path(tmp) / "backups")),
+                )
+
+        command = run_rsync.call_args.args[0]
+        self.assertTrue(result["ok"])
+        self.assertIn("--itemize-changes", command)
+        self.assertIn("--info=flist2,progress2,stats2", command)
+        self.assertTrue(result["verbose_output"])
+
+    def test_real_run_keeps_default_output_quiet(self) -> None:
+        with TemporaryDirectory() as tmp:
+            prefix = Path(tmp) / "home"
+
+            with patch("pobsync.commands.run_scheduled.run_rsync") as run_rsync:
+                run_rsync.return_value = RsyncResult(exit_code=0, command=["rsync", "--archive"])
+                result = run_scheduled(
+                    prefix=prefix,
+                    host="web-01",
+                    dry_run=False,
+                    config_source=FakeConfigSource(backup_root=str(Path(tmp) / "backups")),
+                )
+
+        command = run_rsync.call_args.args[0]
+        self.assertTrue(result["ok"])
+        self.assertNotIn("--itemize-changes", command)
+        self.assertNotIn("--info=flist2,progress2,stats2", command)
+        self.assertFalse(result["verbose_output"])
+
     def test_dry_run_reports_cancelled_rsync(self) -> None:
         def fake_run_rsync(command, log_path, timeout_seconds, cancel_check=None):
             self.assertTrue(cancel_check())
diff --git a/src/pobsync_backend/tests/test_views.py b/src/pobsync_backend/tests/test_views.py
index d5bdb28..0e95529 100644
--- a/src/pobsync_backend/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/src/pobsync_backend/tests/test_views.py
@@ -655,6 +655,7 @@ class ViewTests(TestCase):
             reverse("queue_manual_backup", args=[host.host]),
             {
                 "dry_run": "on",
+                "verbose_output": "on",
                 "prune": "on",
                 "prune_max_delete": "4",
                 "prune_protect_bases": "on",
@@ -671,6 +672,7 @@ class ViewTests(TestCase):
             run.result["requested"],
             {
                 "dry_run": True,
+                "verbose_output": True,
                 "prune": True,
                 "prune_max_delete": 4,
                 "prune_protect_bases": True,
@@ -694,6 +696,7 @@ class ViewTests(TestCase):
             run.result["requested"],
             {
                 "dry_run": False,
+                "verbose_output": False,
                 "prune": False,
                 "prune_max_delete": 10,
                 "prune_protect_bases": False,
@@ -745,6 +748,7 @@ class ViewTests(TestCase):
                 "snapshot": snapshot.path,
                 "requested": {
                     "dry_run": True,
+                    "verbose_output": True,
                     "prune": False,
                     "prune_max_delete": 10,
                     "prune_protect_bases": False,
@@ -761,6 +765,7 @@ class ViewTests(TestCase):
         self.assertContains(response, "ABCDEFGH")
         self.assertContains(response, "Requested Options")
         self.assertContains(response, "Dry run:</strong> yes")
+        self.assertContains(response, "Verbose rsync output:</strong> yes")
         self.assertContains(response, "&quot;ok&quot;: true")
         self.assertContains(response, reverse("snapshot_detail", args=[snapshot.id]))
 
diff --git a/src/pobsync_backend/views.py b/src/pobsync_backend/views.py
index 78cc6b9..28b7154 100644
--- a/src/pobsync_backend/views.py
+++ b/src/pobsync_backend/views.py
@@ -336,6 +336,7 @@ def queue_manual_backup(request, host: str):
     run = queue_backup_run(
         host=host_config,
         dry_run=form.cleaned_data["dry_run"],
+        verbose_output=form.cleaned_data["verbose_output"],
         prune=form.cleaned_data["prune"],
         prune_max_delete=form.cleaned_data["prune_max_delete"],
         prune_protect_bases=form.cleaned_data["prune_protect_bases"],