diff --git a/preflight.sh b/preflight.sh
index b218807..bd64815 100755
--- a/preflight.sh
+++ b/preflight.sh
@@ -149,6 +149,20 @@ check_runners_ini_format() {
         ;;
     esac
 
+    # host/type compatibility:
+    # - host=local requires type=native
+    # - host=unraid|fedora|custom requires type=docker
+    if [[ "$host" =~ ^(unraid|fedora|local|custom)$ ]] && [[ "$type" =~ ^(docker|native)$ ]]; then
+      if [[ "$host" == "local" ]] && [[ "$type" != "native" ]]; then
+        log_error "  → [$section] invalid combo host='$host' type='$type' (host=local requires type=native)"
+        errors=$((errors + 1))
+      fi
+      if [[ "$host" != "local" ]] && [[ "$type" != "docker" ]]; then
+        log_error "  → [$section] invalid combo host='$host' type='$type' (host=$host requires type=docker)"
+        errors=$((errors + 1))
+      fi
+    fi
+
     # data_path: must start with / or ~/
     # shellcheck disable=SC2088  # tilde intentionally stored as literal string
     if [[ -z "$data_path" ]]; then