diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1d8f62e..26485a4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -240,8 +240,9 @@ on clean shutdown**. The per-card stats line shows live `Sol/s`, board `W`, and
 ./target/release/jackpotminer --selftest
 ```
 
-Key flags: `--url`, `--port` (fallback when the URL omits one), `--user` (`-u`),
-`--pass` (`-p`), `--backend` (`opencl`/`cuda`), `--devices` (e.g. `0,1` or `all`),
+Key flags: `--url` (defaults to `stratum+tcp://zcl.jackpot.tools:3333` when
+unset), `--port` (fallback when the URL omits one), `--user` (`-u`),
+`--pass` (`-p`), `--backend` (`mixed`/`opencl`/`cuda`), `--devices` (e.g. `0,1` or `all`),
 `--device` (`-d`, for single-device benchmark/debug), `--threads` (`-t`), `--cpu`,
 `--benchmark N`, `--list-devices`, `--selftest`. When mining in a terminal a live
 ratatui **dashboard** is shown by default (per-card Sol/s, power, temperature,
diff --git a/mine.example.toml b/mine.example.toml
index 15c76a8..4b22f1c 100644
--- a/mine.example.toml
+++ b/mine.example.toml
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@
 #   jackpotminer --config mine.toml
 
 # ── Pool (required) ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-url  = "stratum+tcp://zcl.pool.example:3032"   # stratum+tcp://host:port, or host:port
+url  = "stratum+tcp://zcl.jackpot.tools:3333"  # stratum+tcp://host:port, or host:port
+                                               # (this is also the built-in default if unset)
 user = "t1YourZClassicAddressHere.rig1"        # payout address / worker login
 # port = 3032                                  # only if `url` has no ":port"
 
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 9ed4ea9..b8ff4be 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ use log::{info, warn};
 use crate::miner::BackendSpec;
 use crate::stratum::StratumClient;
 
+/// Pool used when neither `--url` nor a config file specifies one.
+const DEFAULT_POOL_URL: &str = "stratum+tcp://zcl.jackpot.tools:3333";
+
 /// Command-line options.
 #[derive(Parser, Debug)]
 #[command(name = "jackpotminer", version, about = "equihash 192,7 miner")]
@@ -53,7 +56,8 @@ struct Args {
     #[arg(long, value_name = "FILE")]
     config: Option<String>,
 
-    /// Pool URL, e.g. stratum+tcp://zcl.pool.example:3032
+    /// Pool URL, e.g. stratum+tcp://zcl.pool.example:3032. Defaults to
+    /// stratum+tcp://zcl.jackpot.tools:3333 when unset (here and in the config).
     #[arg(long)]
     url: Option<String>,
 
@@ -545,10 +549,9 @@ fn main() -> Result<()> {
         return benchmark(specs, runs.max(1));
     }
 
-    let url = args
-        .url
-        .as_deref()
-        .ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("--url is required (e.g. stratum+tcp://host:port)"))?;
+    // Pool URL defaults to the jackpot.tools ZCL pool when not given on the CLI
+    // or in a config file.
+    let url = args.url.as_deref().unwrap_or(DEFAULT_POOL_URL);
     let (host, port) = parse_url(url, args.port)?;
 
     // Password = pool mode. --solo / --jackpot <pct> take precedence; otherwise