2 files changed, 91 insertions, 5 deletions

diff --git a/docs/explanation/grasp-05-archive.md b/docs/explanation/grasp-05-archive.md
index e43a87e..45481dd 100644
--- a/docs/explanation/grasp-05-archive.md
+++ b/docs/explanation/grasp-05-archive.md
@@ -35,14 +35,17 @@ Archive mode relaxes the "must list service" requirement for whitelisted reposit
 
 **Configuration:**
 ```bash
-# Specific repos (safest)
+# Specific repos (safest) - read-only by default
 NGIT_ARCHIVE_WHITELIST=npub1torvalds.../linux,npub1satoshi.../bitcoin
+# NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY defaults to true
 
 # All repos from trusted maintainers
 NGIT_ARCHIVE_WHITELIST=npub1alice...,npub1bob...
+# NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY defaults to true
 
 # Archive everything (⚠️ storage risk)
 NGIT_ARCHIVE_ALL=true
+# NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY defaults to true
 ```
 
 ### Validation Priority
@@ -63,11 +66,21 @@ Archived repos use the same directory structure as hosted repos:
 <git_data_path>/
   npub1alice.../
     hosted-repo.git/     # Lists your service (writable)
-    archived-repo.git/   # Whitelisted (read-only)
+    archived-repo.git/   # Whitelisted (read-only by default)
 ```
 
 **No flags or metadata** - archive status determined dynamically from config + announcement contents.
 
+### Read-Only Mode
+
+By default, archive mode operates in read-only mode (`NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY=true`):
+- Repository announcements are accepted per whitelist/archive-all configuration
+- The service is **not listed** in accepted announcements (passive sync only)
+- NIP-11 document advertises `GRASP-05` support
+- NIP-11 `curation` field indicates read-only sync scope:
+  - `"Read-only sync of all repositories found on network"` (if `NGIT_ARCHIVE_ALL=true`)
+  - `"Read-only sync of whitelisted repositories and maintainers"` (if whitelist configured)
+
 ### Full Sync
 
 Archived repositories trigger complete GRASP-02 sync:
@@ -129,12 +142,14 @@ Watch for:
 
 ## Comparison: Hosted vs Archived
 
-| Aspect | Hosted (GRASP-01) | Archived (GRASP-05) |
-|--------|-------------------|---------------------|
+| Aspect | Hosted (GRASP-01) | Archived (GRASP-05 Read-Only) |
+|--------|-------------------|-------------------------------|
 | Announcement must list you | ✅ Required | ❌ Whitelisted instead |
 | Git pushes | ✅ Accepted | ❌ Rejected (read-only) |
 | GRASP-02 sync | ✅ Full sync | ✅ Full sync |
-| Relay discovery | ✅ Listed | ❌ Not listed |
+| Relay discovery | ✅ Listed in announcements | ❌ Not listed (passive sync) |
+| NIP-11 supported_grasps | `["GRASP-01", "GRASP-02"]` | `["GRASP-01", "GRASP-05", "GRASP-02"]` |
+| NIP-11 curation field | `null` | Describes archive scope |
 | Use case | Hosting workspace | Backup/mirror |
 
 ## Related Documentation
diff --git a/docs/reference/configuration.md b/docs/reference/configuration.md
index 52418ad..4692600 100644
--- a/docs/reference/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/reference/configuration.md
@@ -574,6 +574,77 @@ NGIT_ARCHIVE_WHITELIST=npub1alice23...,npub1bob23.../linux,bitcoin-core
 
 ---
 
+#### `NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY`
+
+**Description:** Configure relay as read-only sync of archived repositories  
+**Type:** Boolean  
+**Default:** `true` if `NGIT_ARCHIVE_ALL` or `NGIT_ARCHIVE_WHITELIST` is set, `false` otherwise  
+**Required:** No
+
+**Examples:**
+
+```bash
+# Explicitly enable (requires archive mode)
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY=true
+
+# Explicitly disable (writable archive repos)
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY=false
+
+# Automatic (default behavior)
+# - If NGIT_ARCHIVE_ALL or NGIT_ARCHIVE_WHITELIST is set → true
+# - Otherwise → false
+# NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY=
+```
+
+**Behavior:**
+
+- When `true`:
+  - NIP-11 document includes `GRASP-05` in `supported_grasps`
+  - NIP-11 `curation` field describes the archive scope
+  - Repository announcements not listing this service are accepted per whitelist/archive-all
+- When `false`:
+  - Archive mode disabled (standard GRASP-01 operation)
+- When unset (default):
+  - Automatically `true` if archive mode configured
+  - Automatically `false` otherwise
+
+**Error Conditions:**
+
+```bash
+# ERROR: Cannot set read-only without archive config
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY=true
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_ALL=false
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_WHITELIST=
+# → Server fails to start: "NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY=true requires either 
+#    NGIT_ARCHIVE_ALL=true or NGIT_ARCHIVE_WHITELIST to be set"
+```
+
+**NIP-11 Impact:**
+
+When `NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY=true`:
+- `supported_grasps`: includes `"GRASP-05"`
+- `curation`: Set to one of:
+  - `"Read-only sync of all repositories found on network"` (if `NGIT_ARCHIVE_ALL=true`)
+  - `"Read-only sync of whitelisted repositories and maintainers"` (if `NGIT_ARCHIVE_WHITELIST` set)
+
+**Use Cases:**
+
+```bash
+# Public archive of entire ecosystem
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_ALL=true
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY=true  # Default
+
+# Selective backup of critical projects
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_WHITELIST=npub1torvalds.../linux,npub1satoshi.../bitcoin
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY=true  # Default
+
+# Writable mirror (advanced, not typical)
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_WHITELIST=npub1alice...
+NGIT_ARCHIVE_READ_ONLY=false
+```
+
+---
+
 ### Logging Configuration
 
 #### `RUST_LOG`