diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index 0a49236..ace8f25 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ inputs:
   effort:
     description: "Effort level: mini (fast), auto (default), max (most capable)"
     required: false
-    default: "auto"
   agent:
     description: "Agent to use: claude, codex, gemini, cursor, opencode"
     required: false
diff --git a/entry b/entry
index fe644f4..a87b131 100755
--- a/entry
+++ b/entry
@@ -138220,7 +138220,7 @@ function resolveCwd(cwd2) {
 function resolvePayload(repoSettings) {
   const inputs = Inputs.assert({
     prompt: core4.getInput("prompt", { required: true }),
-    effort: core4.getInput("effort") || "auto",
+    effort: core4.getInput("effort") || void 0,
     agent: core4.getInput("agent") || null,
     cwd: core4.getInput("cwd") || null,
     web: core4.getInput("web") || void 0,
diff --git a/utils/payload.ts b/utils/payload.ts
index 38d2c98..881be48 100644
--- a/utils/payload.ts
+++ b/utils/payload.ts
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ function resolveCwd(cwd: string | null | undefined): string | null {
 export function resolvePayload(repoSettings: RepoSettings) {
   const inputs = Inputs.assert({
     prompt: core.getInput("prompt", { required: true }),
-    effort: core.getInput("effort") || "auto",
+    effort: core.getInput("effort") || undefined,
     agent: core.getInput("agent") || null,
     cwd: core.getInput("cwd") || null,
     web: core.getInput("web") || undefined,