diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index af5907a..b7ba9cb 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -81,9 +81,13 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
 
     // Apply the global color decision before any output is produced.
     // --no-color disables colors; NO_COLOR follows the no-color.org spec
-    // (any presence, regardless of value, disables color).
+    // (any presence, regardless of value, disables color). Without them,
+    // color keeps colored's tty auto-detection (ADR-0003): piped output
+    // stays ANSI-free.
     let no_color = cli.no_color || std::env::var_os("NO_COLOR").is_some();
-    colored::control::set_override(!no_color);
+    if no_color {
+        colored::control::set_override(false);
+    }
 
     // Resolve the decoration switch (issue 14): explicit flag > config >
     // default; --no-color disables decorations too (ADR-0003).