diff --git a/.github/workflows/renovate.yml b/.github/workflows/renovate.yml
index 98f0ebe..f878f1a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/renovate.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/renovate.yml
@@ -28,4 +28,3 @@ jobs:
         env:
           LOG_LEVEL: debug
           RENOVATE_REPOSITORIES: ${{ github.repository }}
-          MEND_RNV_MC_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.MEND_RNV_MC_TOKEN }}
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index bb915aa..f67341a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -124,11 +124,8 @@ This repo now uses Renovate to auto-update dependencies (including template mani
 2. Use a fine-grained GitHub token scoped to this repository with:
    - Contents: Read and write
    - Pull requests: Read and write
-3. Create a repository secret named `MEND_RNV_MC_TOKEN` (Merge Confidence API token) so confidence-based PR gating can work.
-4. Enable repository auto-merge in GitHub settings.
-5. Protect `master`, require CI checks before merge, and enable merge queue.
-
-If `MEND_RNV_MC_TOKEN` is not configured, updates remain in the dependency dashboard for manual approval.
+3. Enable repository auto-merge in GitHub settings.
+4. Protect `master`, require CI checks before merge, and enable merge queue.
 
 Why: PRs created with `GITHUB_TOKEN` do not trigger downstream `pull_request` workflows. Using `RENOVATE_TOKEN` ensures CI checks run and automerge can complete.
 
diff --git a/renovate.json b/renovate.json
index 13f7123..a2a06ce 100644
--- a/renovate.json
+++ b/renovate.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "$schema": "https://docs.renovatebot.com/renovate-schema.json",
-  "extends": ["config:recommended", "mergeConfidence:age-confidence-badges"],
+  "extends": ["config:recommended"],
   "labels": ["dependencies"],
   "rangeStrategy": "bump",
   "ignoreUnstable": true,
@@ -192,31 +192,6 @@
       "automerge": true,
       "automergeType": "pr",
       "platformAutomerge": true
-    },
-    {
-      "description": "Automerge lock file maintenance updates",
-      "matchUpdateTypes": ["lockFileMaintenance"],
-      "dependencyDashboardApproval": false,
-      "automerge": true,
-      "automergeType": "pr",
-      "platformAutomerge": true
-    },
-    {
-      "description": "Automerge high-confidence major npm updates",
-      "matchDatasources": ["npm"],
-      "matchUpdateTypes": ["major"],
-      "matchConfidence": ["high", "very high"],
-      "dependencyDashboardApproval": false,
-      "automerge": true,
-      "automergeType": "pr",
-      "platformAutomerge": true
-    },
-    {
-      "description": "Keep low/neutral confidence npm updates in dashboard for manual approval",
-      "matchDatasources": ["npm"],
-      "matchConfidence": ["low", "neutral"],
-      "dependencyDashboardApproval": true,
-      "automerge": false
     }
   ]
 }