diff --git a/doc/changelog.d/49.fixed.md b/doc/changelog.d/49.fixed.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c975dd4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/changelog.d/49.fixed.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Documentation issues
diff --git a/doc/source/conf.py b/doc/source/conf.py
index f377e60..4d594ed 100644
--- a/doc/source/conf.py
+++ b/doc/source/conf.py
@@ -7,8 +7,16 @@
     get_version_match,
 )
 
+import ansys.tools.usdviewer as usdviewer
 from ansys.tools.usdviewer import __version__
 
+# Enable off-screen and gallery mode for the documentation build so that
+# example scripts run without opening a display (mirrors PyVista's pattern).
+os.environ["USD_VIEWER_OFF_SCREEN"] = "true"
+os.environ["USD_VIEWER_BUILDING_GALLERY"] = "true"
+usdviewer.OFF_SCREEN = True
+usdviewer.BUILDING_GALLERY = True
+
 # Project information
 project = "ansys-tools-usdviewer"
 copyright = f"(c) {datetime.now().year} ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved"
diff --git a/src/ansys/tools/usdviewer/__init__.py b/src/ansys/tools/usdviewer/__init__.py
index 35e53b7..99baacd 100644
--- a/src/ansys/tools/usdviewer/__init__.py
+++ b/src/ansys/tools/usdviewer/__init__.py
@@ -22,5 +22,14 @@
 """USD Viewer main module."""
 
 import importlib.metadata as importlib_metadata
+import os
 
 __version__ = importlib_metadata.version(__name__.replace(".", "-"))
+
+# When True, the viewer window is not shown. Useful for CI/CD, testing, and doc generation.
+# Can be set programmatically or via the USD_VIEWER_OFF_SCREEN environment variable.
+OFF_SCREEN: bool = os.environ.get("USD_VIEWER_OFF_SCREEN", "false").lower() == "true"
+
+# When True, indicates the viewer is being used to build a Sphinx gallery.
+# Implies off-screen rendering. Can be set via the USD_VIEWER_BUILDING_GALLERY env variable.
+BUILDING_GALLERY: bool = os.environ.get("USD_VIEWER_BUILDING_GALLERY", "false").lower() == "true"
diff --git a/src/ansys/tools/usdviewer/viewer.py b/src/ansys/tools/usdviewer/viewer.py
index c9eeb79..fa756b5 100644
--- a/src/ansys/tools/usdviewer/viewer.py
+++ b/src/ansys/tools/usdviewer/viewer.py
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@
 import sys
 import warnings
 
+import ansys.tools.usdviewer as _usdviewer
+
 try:
     from pxr import Usd, UsdUtils
     from pxr.Usdviewq.stageView import StageView
@@ -86,7 +88,9 @@ class USDViewer:
 
     def __init__(self, title: str = "Viewer", size: tuple[int, int] = (750, 750)):
         """Initialize the USD Viewer."""
-        self._app = QtWidgets.QApplication([])
+        # If app exists, use it. Otherwise, create a new one.
+        # Fixes issue of "QApplication instance already exists".
+        self._app = QtWidgets.QApplication.instance() or QtWidgets.QApplication([])
 
         self._title = title
         self._size = size
@@ -129,7 +133,13 @@ def show(self) -> None:
         """Show the USD Viewer window.
 
         Displays the USD Viewer window and starts the Qt app event loop.
+        When :attr:`ansys.tools.usdviewer.OFF_SCREEN` or
+        :attr:`ansys.tools.usdviewer.BUILDING_GALLERY` is ``True``, this
+        method is a no-op so that documentation builds and automated tests
+        run without opening a display.
         """
+        if _usdviewer.OFF_SCREEN or _usdviewer.BUILDING_GALLERY:
+            return
         self.window.show()
         self._app.exec()
 
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 35fa081..4ed2fa4 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@
 import pytest
 import pyvista
 
+import ansys.tools.usdviewer as usdviewer
+
 # Check if real pxr is available
 PXR_AVAILABLE = True
 try:
@@ -107,5 +109,12 @@ def configure_pyvista():
     return pyvista
 
 
+@pytest.fixture(scope="session", autouse=True)
+def configure_usdviewer():
+    """Configure the USD viewer for testing."""
+    usdviewer.OFF_SCREEN = True
+    return usdviewer
+
+
 # Mark for skipping tests that require real OpenUSD
 requires_openusd = pytest.mark.skipif(not PXR_AVAILABLE, reason="Test requires real OpenUSD library (not just mocks)")