diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6ac1a9d..625bcc6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ Usage: russ <COMMAND>
 Commands:
   read    Read your feeds
   import  Import feeds from an OPML document
+  sync    Sync all feeds and exit
   help    Print this message or the help of the given subcommand(s)
 
 Options:
@@ -97,6 +98,42 @@ Options:
           RSS/Atom network request timeout in seconds [default: 5]
   -h, --help
           Print help
+
+## sync mode
+
+Run a full refresh of all feeds and exit without launching the TUI. Useful for cron jobs or scripting.
+
+```console
+$ russ sync -h
+Sync all feeds and exit
+
+Usage: russ sync [OPTIONS]
+
+Options:
+  -d, --database-path <DATABASE_PATH>
+          Override where `russ` stores and reads feeds. By default, the feeds database on Linux this will be at `XDG_DATA_HOME/russ/feeds.db` or `$HOME/.local/share/russ/feeds.db`. On MacOS it will be at `$HOME/Library/Application Support/russ/feeds.db`. On Windows it will be at `{FOLDERID_LocalAppData}/russ/data/feeds.db`
+  -n, --network-timeout <NETWORK_TIMEOUT>
+          RSS/Atom network request timeout in seconds [default: 5]
+  -h, --help
+          Print help
+```
+
+Examples:
+
+```console
+# Refresh using the default database and default timeout
+$ russ sync
+
+# Refresh with a custom database path
+$ russ sync -d /path/to/feeds.db
+
+# Increase network timeout to 15 seconds
+$ russ sync -n 15
+
+# Cron (runs hourly)
+$ crontab -e
+0 * * * * /usr/local/bin/russ sync -d /home/you/.local/share/russ/feeds.db >> /home/you/russ-sync.log 2>&1
+```
 ```
 
 ## import OPML mode
diff --git a/src/app.rs b/src/app.rs
index 5f4e0ae..2fac0a4 100644
--- a/src/app.rs
+++ b/src/app.rs
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ pub struct App {
 impl App {
     delegate_to_locked_inner![
         (error_flash_is_empty, bool),
+        (error_flash, Vec<String>),
         (feed_ids, Result<Vec<crate::rss::FeedId>>),
         (force_redraw, Result<()>),
         (http_client, ureq::Agent),
@@ -199,6 +200,9 @@ pub struct AppImpl {
 }
 
 impl AppImpl {
+    pub fn error_flash(&self) -> Vec<String> {
+        self.error_flash.iter().map(|e| format!("{e:?}")).collect()
+    }
     pub fn new(
         options: crate::ReadOptions,
         event_tx: std::sync::mpsc::Sender<crate::Event<crossterm::event::KeyEvent>>,
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 1aa986b..64f580d 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ fn main() -> Result<()> {
     match validated_options {
         ValidatedOptions::Import(options) => crate::opml::import(options),
         ValidatedOptions::Read(options) => run_reader(options),
+        ValidatedOptions::Sync(options) => run_sync(options),
     }
 }
 
@@ -80,6 +81,15 @@ enum Command {
         #[arg(short, long, default_value = "5", value_parser = parse_seconds)]
         network_timeout: time::Duration,
     },
+    /// Sync all feeds and exit (no TUI)
+    Sync {
+        /// Override where `russ` stores and reads feeds.
+        #[arg(short, long)]
+        database_path: Option<PathBuf>,
+        /// RSS/Atom network request timeout in seconds
+        #[arg(short, long, default_value = "5", value_parser = parse_seconds)]
+        network_timeout: time::Duration,
+    },
 }
 
 impl Command {
@@ -112,6 +122,16 @@ impl Command {
                     network_timeout: *network_timeout,
                 }))
             }
+            Command::Sync {
+                database_path,
+                network_timeout,
+            } => {
+                let database_path = get_database_path(database_path)?;
+                Ok(ValidatedOptions::Sync(SyncOptions {
+                    database_path,
+                    network_timeout: *network_timeout,
+                }))
+            }
         }
     }
 }
@@ -126,6 +146,7 @@ fn parse_seconds(s: &str) -> Result<time::Duration, std::num::ParseIntError> {
 enum ValidatedOptions {
     Read(ReadOptions),
     Import(ImportOptions),
+    Sync(SyncOptions),
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
@@ -143,6 +164,12 @@ struct ImportOptions {
     network_timeout: time::Duration,
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug)]
+struct SyncOptions {
+    database_path: PathBuf,
+    network_timeout: time::Duration,
+}
+
 fn get_database_path(database_path: &Option<PathBuf>) -> std::io::Result<PathBuf> {
     let database_path = if let Some(database_path) = database_path {
         database_path.to_owned()
@@ -255,6 +282,50 @@ fn run_reader(options: ReadOptions) -> Result<()> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
+fn run_sync(options: SyncOptions) -> Result<()> {
+    // Reuse the IO architecture without starting the TUI.
+    let (event_tx, _event_rx) = mpsc::channel();
+    let (io_tx, io_rx) = mpsc::channel();
+
+    // Build ReadOptions with defaults needed by App::new
+    let read_opts = ReadOptions {
+        database_path: options.database_path,
+        tick_rate: 250,
+        flash_display_duration_seconds: time::Duration::from_secs(4),
+        network_timeout: options.network_timeout,
+    };
+
+    let app = App::new(read_opts.clone(), event_tx.clone(), io_tx.clone())?;
+    let cloned_app = app.clone();
+
+    // Spawn IO thread
+    let io_thread = thread::spawn(move || -> Result<()> {
+        io::io_loop(cloned_app, io_tx, io_rx, &read_opts)
+    });
+
+    // Trigger refresh all feeds
+    app.refresh_feeds()?;
+
+    // Allow IO to process request(s) before breaking.
+    // Wait approximately the network timeout, then signal break.
+    thread::sleep(options.network_timeout + time::Duration::from_millis(200));
+    app.break_io_thread()?;
+
+    // Wait for IO thread to finish
+    io_thread
+        .join()
+        .expect("Unable to join IO thread to main thread")?;
+
+    // Print any errors collected during sync to stderr
+    if !app.error_flash_is_empty() {
+        for e in app.error_flash() {
+            eprintln!("{e}");
+        }
+    }
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 enum Action {
     Quit,
     MoveLeft,