diff --git a/cmd/root.go b/cmd/root.go
index a65e5f7373..34bf559b46 100644
--- a/cmd/root.go
+++ b/cmd/root.go
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ EXAMPLES:
 FLAGS:
     --params <json>       URL/query parameters JSON
     --data <json>         request body JSON (POST/PATCH/PUT/DELETE)
-    --as <type>           identity type: user | bot | auto (default: auto)
+    --as <type>           identity type: user | bot
     --format <fmt>        output format: json (default) | ndjson | table | csv | pretty
     --page-all            automatically paginate through all pages
     --page-size <N>       page size (0 = use API default)
diff --git a/internal/cmdutil/identity_flag.go b/internal/cmdutil/identity_flag.go
index 1589120ea6..8dc320d453 100644
--- a/internal/cmdutil/identity_flag.go
+++ b/internal/cmdutil/identity_flag.go
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ import (
 // AddAPIIdentityFlag registers the standard --as flag shape used by api/service commands.
 func AddAPIIdentityFlag(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, f *Factory, target *string) {
 	addIdentityFlag(ctx, cmd, f, target, identityFlagConfig{
-		defaultValue:     "auto",
-		usage:            "identity type: user | bot | auto (default)",
+		defaultValue:     "",
+		usage:            "identity type: user | bot",
 		completionValues: []string{"user", "bot"},
 	})
 }
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func AddShortcutIdentityFlag(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, f *Factory
 		authTypes = []string{"user"}
 	}
 	addIdentityFlag(ctx, cmd, f, nil, identityFlagConfig{
-		defaultValue:     authTypes[0],
+		defaultValue:     "",
 		usage:            "identity type: " + strings.Join(authTypes, " | "),
 		completionValues: authTypes,
 	})
diff --git a/internal/cmdutil/identity_flag_test.go b/internal/cmdutil/identity_flag_test.go
index fa93d7263d..54d539583b 100644
--- a/internal/cmdutil/identity_flag_test.go
+++ b/internal/cmdutil/identity_flag_test.go
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ func TestAddAPIIdentityFlag_NonStrictMode(t *testing.T) {
 	if flag.Hidden {
 		t.Fatal("expected --as flag to be visible outside strict mode")
 	}
-	if got := flag.DefValue; got != "auto" {
-		t.Fatalf("default value = %q, want %q", got, "auto")
+	if got := flag.DefValue; got != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("default value = %q, want empty string", got)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func TestAddAPIIdentityFlag_StrictModeHidesFlagAndLocksDefault(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestAddShortcutIdentityFlag_UsesAuthTypes(t *testing.T) {
+func TestAddShortcutIdentityFlag_NoDefault(t *testing.T) {
 	f, _, _, _ := TestFactory(t, &core.CliConfig{AppID: "a", AppSecret: "s"})
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{Use: "test"}
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func TestAddShortcutIdentityFlag_UsesAuthTypes(t *testing.T) {
 	if flag.Hidden {
 		t.Fatal("expected --as flag to be visible outside strict mode")
 	}
-	if got := flag.DefValue; got != "bot" {
-		t.Fatalf("default value = %q, want %q", got, "bot")
+	if got := flag.DefValue; got != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("default value = %q, want empty string", got)
 	}
 }