diff --git a/crates/wrsrvd/src/backend/headless.rs b/crates/wrsrvd/src/backend/headless.rs
index 18a3b9c..138205c 100644
--- a/crates/wrsrvd/src/backend/headless.rs
+++ b/crates/wrsrvd/src/backend/headless.rs
@@ -235,6 +235,17 @@ fn render_headless_frame(data: &mut CalloopData) {
     let element_count = data.state.space.elements().count();
     tracing::debug!(element_count, "render tick");
 
+    // Check if window toplevel has been configured.
+    if element_count > 0 {
+        for window in data.state.space.elements() {
+            if let Some(toplevel) = window.toplevel() {
+                let configured = toplevel.is_initial_configure_sent();
+                let bbox = window.bbox();
+                tracing::info!(configured, ?bbox, "window state");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     let custom_elements: &[TextureRenderElement<PixmanTexture>] = &[];
 
     let render_result = render_output::<_, _, Window, _>(
@@ -268,6 +279,14 @@ fn render_headless_frame(data: &mut CalloopData) {
                 std::slice::from_raw_parts(ptr, frame_bytes)
             };
 
+            // One-shot content check for debugging.
+            if element_count > 0 {
+                let non_bg = pixels.chunks_exact(4).any(|p| p != [25, 25, 25, 255]);
+                if non_bg {
+                    tracing::info!("client surface rendered successfully");
+                }
+            }
+
             // Send frame over network if a client is connected.
             if data.client_connected {
                 send_frame_to_network(data, pixels, &damage, output_size.w, output_size.h, stride);
diff --git a/crates/wrsrvd/src/handlers/xdg_shell.rs b/crates/wrsrvd/src/handlers/xdg_shell.rs
index 5efe25e..91f77c5 100644
--- a/crates/wrsrvd/src/handlers/xdg_shell.rs
+++ b/crates/wrsrvd/src/handlers/xdg_shell.rs
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ impl XdgShellHandler for WayRay {
     }
 
     fn new_toplevel(&mut self, surface: ToplevelSurface) {
+        // Send the initial configure so the client can start drawing.
+        surface.send_configure();
         let window = Window::new_wayland_window(surface);
         self.space.map_element(window, (0, 0), false);
         info!("new toplevel mapped");