diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9910109..a192f31 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ Example:
 
 ### `release-signing-artifacts`
 
-**Default**: `false`
+**Default**: `true`
 
 The `release-signing-artifacts` setting controls whether or not `sigstore-python`
 uploads signing artifacts to the release publishing event that triggered this run.
@@ -323,8 +323,6 @@ This setting has no effect on non-`release` events.
 If enabled, this setting also re-uploads and signs GitHub's default source code artifacts,
 as they are not guaranteed to be stable.
 
-By default, no release assets are uploaded.
-
 Requires the [`contents: write` permission](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/security-guides/automatic-token-authentication#permissions-for-the-github_token).
 
 Example:
@@ -342,8 +340,7 @@ permissions:
 ```
 
 On release events, it is also valid to have no explicit inputs. When used on release
-events with `release-signing-artifacts: true`, this action will sign any pre-existing
-release artifacts:
+events, this action will sign any pre-existing release artifacts:
 
 ```yaml
 permissions:
@@ -351,10 +348,8 @@ permissions:
 
 # ...
 
+# no explicit settings needed, signs all pre-existing release artifacts
 - uses: sigstore/gh-action-sigstore-python@v2.1.1
-  with:
-    # Only valid on release events
-    release-signing-artifacts: true
 ```
 
 ### Internal options
diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index d765d61..cf1d467 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -47,11 +47,11 @@ inputs:
   staging:
     description: "use sigstore's staging instances, instead of the default production instances"
     required: false
-    default: false
+    default: "false"
   verify:
     description: "verify the generated signatures after signing"
     required: false
-    default: false
+    default: "false"
   verify-cert-identity:
     description: |
       verify the identity in the signing certificate's Subject Alternative Name
@@ -69,15 +69,15 @@ inputs:
   upload-signing-artifacts:
     description: "upload all signing artifacts as workflow artifacts"
     required: false
-    default: false
+    default: "false"
   release-signing-artifacts:
     description: "attach all signing artifacts as release assets"
     required: false
-    default: false
+    default: "true"
   internal-be-careful-debug:
     description: "run with debug logs (default false)"
     required: false
-    default: false
+    default: "false"
 
 runs:
   using: "composite"