From c8c385029e9b1fa3a022abd8a756b70edf3eb709 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: DanConwayDev <DanConwayDev@protonmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:22:33 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] Document deletion request configuration options

---
 docs/reference/configuration.md | 116 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 116 insertions(+)

diff --git a/docs/reference/configuration.md b/docs/reference/configuration.md
index 8b49297..cd6c57b 100644
--- a/docs/reference/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/reference/configuration.md
@@ -925,6 +925,122 @@ Event blacklist does **not** affect NIP-11 metadata:
 
 ---
 
+### NIP-09 Deletion Request Configuration
+
+These options configure how the relay handles NIP-09 deletion requests.
+
+#### `NGIT_DELETION_REQUEST_DISRESPECTOR`
+
+**Description:** Archival relay mode that ignores NIP-09 deletion requests  
+**Type:** Boolean  
+**Default:** `false`  
+**Required:** No
+
+**Examples:**
+
+```bash
+# Enable disrespector mode (ignore all deletion requests)
+NGIT_DELETION_REQUEST_DISRESPECTOR=true
+
+# Disable (default - honor deletion requests)
+NGIT_DELETION_REQUEST_DISRESPECTOR=false
+```
+
+**Behavior:**
+
+- When `true`:
+  - All NIP-09 deletion requests are ignored
+  - Events are retained permanently (subject to archive retention policy)
+  - Prevents "left-pad" scenarios where critical code is deleted from the network
+  - Useful for archival relays that prioritize data preservation
+- When `false` (default):
+  - NIP-09 deletion requests are honored
+  - Events are marked for deletion and archived
+  - Git data is archived and scheduled for cleanup after retention period
+
+**Use Cases:**
+
+```bash
+# Public archive that preserves all history
+NGIT_DELETION_REQUEST_DISRESPECTOR=true
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_ALL=true
+
+# Archival relay for critical projects
+NGIT_DELETION_REQUEST_DISRESPECTOR=true
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_WHITELIST=npub1torvalds.../linux,npub1satoshi.../bitcoin
+
+# Standard relay that honors deletions (default)
+NGIT_DELETION_REQUEST_DISRESPECTOR=false
+```
+
+**Notes:**
+
+- Disrespector mode does not prevent the relay from receiving deletion requests
+- Deletion requests are still validated and stored, but not acted upon
+- This setting is independent of archive mode (can be used with or without GRASP-05)
+- Consider legal and ethical implications before enabling in production
+
+---
+
+#### `NGIT_ARCHIVE_RETENTION_SECS`
+
+**Description:** How long to keep archived events and git data before permanent deletion  
+**Type:** Integer (seconds)  
+**Default:** `7776000` (90 days)  
+**Required:** No
+
+**Examples:**
+
+```bash
+# Default: 90 days retention
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_RETENTION_SECS=7776000
+
+# Short retention (7 days)
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_RETENTION_SECS=604800
+
+# Extended retention (180 days)
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_RETENTION_SECS=15552000
+
+# Testing: 1 minute retention
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_RETENTION_SECS=60
+```
+
+**Behavior:**
+
+- When an event is deleted (via NIP-09):
+  - Event is moved to archive storage with deletion timestamp
+  - Git data is archived separately
+  - After retention period expires, archived data is permanently deleted
+- Retention period starts from the deletion timestamp
+- Cleanup runs periodically (implementation-defined interval)
+- If `NGIT_DELETION_REQUEST_DISRESPECTOR=true`, this setting has no effect (events never deleted)
+
+**Use Cases:**
+
+```bash
+# Production: 90 day retention (default)
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_RETENTION_SECS=7776000
+
+# Compliance: 1 year retention
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_RETENTION_SECS=31536000
+
+# Development: 1 hour retention for testing
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_RETENTION_SECS=3600
+
+# Testing: 1 minute retention for rapid iteration
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_RETENTION_SECS=60
+```
+
+**Notes:**
+
+- Retention period is configurable in seconds for testing flexibility
+- Default 90 days balances storage costs with recovery needs
+- Archived data counts toward storage usage during retention period
+- Consider backup strategy before setting short retention periods
+- Permanent deletion is irreversible
+
+---
+
 ### Logging Configuration
 
 #### `RUST_LOG`