diff --git a/packages/relay/README.md b/packages/relay/README.md
index e0402fdc..d75cbd05 100644
--- a/packages/relay/README.md
+++ b/packages/relay/README.md
@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ This package provides ActivityPub relay functionality for the [Fedify]
 ecosystem, enabling the creation and management of relay servers that can
 forward activities between federated instances.
 
+For comprehensive documentation on building and operating relay servers,
+see the [*Relay server* section in the Fedify manual][manual].
+
 
 What is an ActivityPub relay?
 ------------------------------
@@ -33,7 +36,7 @@ This package supports two popular relay protocols used in the fediverse:
 ### Mastodon-style relay
 
 The Mastodon-style relay protocol uses LD signatures for activity
-verification and follows the Public collection.  This protocol is widely
+verification and follows the Public collection. This protocol is widely
 supported by Mastodon and many other ActivityPub implementations.
 
 Key features:
@@ -100,10 +103,12 @@ import { MemoryKvStore } from "@fedify/fedify";
 const relay = createRelay("mastodon", {
   kv: new MemoryKvStore(),
   domain: "relay.example.com",
-  // Optional: Set a custom subscription handler to approve/reject subscriptions
+  // Required: Set a subscription handler to approve/reject subscriptions
   subscriptionHandler: async (ctx, actor) => {
-    // Implement your approval logic here
-    // Return true to approve, false to reject
+    // For an open relay, simply return true
+    // return true;
+
+    // Or implement custom approval logic:
     const domain = new URL(actor.id!).hostname;
     const blockedDomains = ["spam.example", "blocked.example"];
     return !blockedDomains.includes(domain);
@@ -120,13 +125,24 @@ You can also create a LitePub-style relay by changing the type:
 const relay = createRelay("litepub", {
   kv: new MemoryKvStore(),
   domain: "relay.example.com",
+  subscriptionHandler: async (ctx, actor) => true,
 });
 ~~~~
 
 ### Subscription handling
 
-By default, the relay automatically rejects all subscription requests.
-You can customize this behavior by providing a subscription handler in the options:
+The `subscriptionHandler` is required and determines whether to approve or reject
+subscription requests.  For an open relay that accepts all subscriptions:
+
+~~~~ typescript
+const relay = createRelay("mastodon", {
+  kv: new MemoryKvStore(),
+  domain: "relay.example.com",
+  subscriptionHandler: async (ctx, actor) => true,  // Accept all
+});
+~~~~
+
+You can also implement custom approval logic:
 
 ~~~~ typescript
 const relay = createRelay("mastodon", {
@@ -156,6 +172,7 @@ const app = new Hono();
 const relay = createRelay("mastodon", {
   kv: new MemoryKvStore(),
   domain: "relay.example.com",
+  subscriptionHandler: async (ctx, actor) => true,
 });
 
 app.use("*", async (c) => {
@@ -258,7 +275,7 @@ Configuration options for the relay:
  -  `kv: KvStore` (required): Key–value store for persisting relay data
  -  `domain?: string`: Relay's domain name (defaults to `"localhost"`)
  -  `name?: string`: Relay's display name (defaults to `"ActivityPub Relay"`)
- -  `subscriptionHandler?: SubscriptionRequestHandler`: Custom handler for
+ -  `subscriptionHandler: SubscriptionRequestHandler` (required): Handler for
     subscription approval/rejection
  -  `documentLoaderFactory?: DocumentLoaderFactory`: Custom document loader
     factory
@@ -296,3 +313,4 @@ type SubscriptionRequestHandler = (
 [@fedify@hollo.social]: https://hollo.social/@fedify
 [Fedify]: https://fedify.dev/
 [Fedify documentation on key–value stores]: https://fedify.dev/manual/kv
+[manual]: https://fedify.dev/manual/relay
diff --git a/packages/relay/src/factory.ts b/packages/relay/src/factory.ts
index a513f57a..f644346f 100644
--- a/packages/relay/src/factory.ts
+++ b/packages/relay/src/factory.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import type { RelayOptions, RelayType } from "./types.ts";
  * const relay = createRelay("mastodon", {
  *   kv: new MemoryKvStore(),
  *   domain: "relay.example.com",
+ *   subscriptionHandler: async (ctx, actor) => true,
  * });
  * ```
  *
diff --git a/packages/relay/src/litepub.test.ts b/packages/relay/src/litepub.test.ts
index 91adb220..59ba8033 100644
--- a/packages/relay/src/litepub.test.ts
+++ b/packages/relay/src/litepub.test.ts
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ describe("LitePubRelay", () => {
       kv,
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const request = new Request("https://relay.example.com/users/relay", {
@@ -117,6 +118,7 @@ describe("LitePubRelay", () => {
       kv,
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const request = new Request("https://relay.example.com/users/relay", {
@@ -137,6 +139,7 @@ describe("LitePubRelay", () => {
       kv,
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const request = new Request(
@@ -156,6 +159,7 @@ describe("LitePubRelay", () => {
       kv,
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const request = new Request(
@@ -204,6 +208,7 @@ describe("LitePubRelay", () => {
       kv,
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const request = new Request(
@@ -229,6 +234,7 @@ describe("LitePubRelay", () => {
       kv,
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const request = new Request("https://relay.example.com/users/relay", {
@@ -534,6 +540,7 @@ describe("LitePubRelay", () => {
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
       authenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const relayFollow = new Follow({
@@ -596,6 +603,7 @@ describe("LitePubRelay", () => {
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
       authenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const originalFollow = new Follow({
@@ -654,6 +662,7 @@ describe("LitePubRelay", () => {
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
       authenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const note = new Note({
@@ -697,6 +706,7 @@ describe("LitePubRelay", () => {
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
       authenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const note = new Note({
@@ -740,6 +750,7 @@ describe("LitePubRelay", () => {
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
       authenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const moveActivity = new Move({
@@ -779,6 +790,7 @@ describe("LitePubRelay", () => {
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
       authenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const deleteActivity = new Delete({
@@ -817,6 +829,7 @@ describe("LitePubRelay", () => {
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
       authenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const announceActivity = new Announce({
diff --git a/packages/relay/src/litepub.ts b/packages/relay/src/litepub.ts
index ef44d7e7..8c512af0 100644
--- a/packages/relay/src/litepub.ts
+++ b/packages/relay/src/litepub.ts
@@ -74,10 +74,10 @@ export class LitePubRelay extends BaseRelay {
           ]);
           if (existingFollow?.state === "pending") return;
 
-          let approved = false;
-          if (this.options.subscriptionHandler) {
-            approved = await this.options.subscriptionHandler(ctx, follower);
-          }
+          const approved = await this.options.subscriptionHandler(
+            ctx,
+            follower,
+          );
 
           if (approved) {
             // Litepub-specific: save with "pending" state
diff --git a/packages/relay/src/mastodon.test.ts b/packages/relay/src/mastodon.test.ts
index 1f138807..7b0bd97c 100644
--- a/packages/relay/src/mastodon.test.ts
+++ b/packages/relay/src/mastodon.test.ts
@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ describe("MastodonRelay", () => {
       kv,
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const request = new Request("https://relay.example.com/users/relay", {
@@ -115,6 +116,7 @@ describe("MastodonRelay", () => {
       kv,
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const request = new Request("https://relay.example.com/users/relay", {
@@ -135,6 +137,7 @@ describe("MastodonRelay", () => {
       kv,
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const request = new Request(
@@ -154,6 +157,7 @@ describe("MastodonRelay", () => {
       kv,
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const request = new Request(
@@ -203,6 +207,7 @@ describe("MastodonRelay", () => {
       kv,
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const request = new Request(
@@ -275,6 +280,7 @@ describe("MastodonRelay", () => {
       kv,
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const request = new Request("https://relay.example.com/users/relay", {
@@ -463,6 +469,7 @@ describe("MastodonRelay", () => {
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
       authenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const originalFollow = new Follow({
@@ -521,6 +528,7 @@ describe("MastodonRelay", () => {
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
       authenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const note = new Note({
@@ -564,6 +572,7 @@ describe("MastodonRelay", () => {
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
       authenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const deleteActivity = new Delete({
@@ -602,6 +611,7 @@ describe("MastodonRelay", () => {
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
       authenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const note = new Note({
@@ -645,6 +655,7 @@ describe("MastodonRelay", () => {
       domain: "relay.example.com",
       documentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
       authenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory: () => mockDocumentLoader,
+      subscriptionHandler: () => Promise.resolve(true),
     });
 
     const moveActivity = new Move({
diff --git a/packages/relay/src/mastodon.ts b/packages/relay/src/mastodon.ts
index c4d19d35..6af28ab4 100644
--- a/packages/relay/src/mastodon.ts
+++ b/packages/relay/src/mastodon.ts
@@ -52,10 +52,10 @@ export class MastodonRelay extends BaseRelay {
           const follower = await validateFollowActivity(ctx, follow);
           if (!follower || !follower.id) return;
 
-          let approved = false;
-          if (this.options.subscriptionHandler) {
-            approved = await this.options.subscriptionHandler(ctx, follower);
-          }
+          const approved = await this.options.subscriptionHandler(
+            ctx,
+            follower,
+          );
 
           if (approved) {
             // Mastodon-specific: immediately add to followers list with accepted state
diff --git a/packages/relay/src/types.ts b/packages/relay/src/types.ts
index 0d411ede..8608f9e9 100644
--- a/packages/relay/src/types.ts
+++ b/packages/relay/src/types.ts
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ export interface RelayOptions {
   documentLoaderFactory?: DocumentLoaderFactory;
   authenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory?: AuthenticatedDocumentLoaderFactory;
   queue?: MessageQueue;
-  subscriptionHandler?: SubscriptionRequestHandler;
+  subscriptionHandler: SubscriptionRequestHandler;
 }
 
 export interface RelayFollower {