diff --git a/config.py b/config.py
index fa39a68..d39acf2 100644
--- a/config.py
+++ b/config.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ WORKSPACE_DIR: Path = Path(_cfg["bot"].get("workspace_dir", "/data/src/gitea-bot
 BOT_GIT_NAME: str = _cfg["bot"].get("git_name", BOT_USERNAME)
 BOT_GIT_EMAIL: str = _cfg["bot"].get("git_email", f"{BOT_USERNAME}@euphon.net")
 ALLOWED_OWNERS: list[str] = _cfg["bot"].get("allowed_owners", [])
+AUTO_RESPOND_NEW_ISSUES: bool = _cfg["bot"].get("auto_respond_new_issues", False)
 
 # Claude
 CLAUDE_COMMAND: str = _cfg["claude"]["command"]
diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index 0551362..4918fad 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -243,11 +243,11 @@ async def webhook(request: Request):
         issue = payload["issue"]
         if issue["user"]["login"] == config.BOT_USERNAME:
             return {"status": "skip", "reason": "own issue"}
-        if not is_mentioned(issue.get("body", "")):
+        if not config.AUTO_RESPOND_NEW_ISSUES and not is_mentioned(issue.get("body", "")):
             return {"status": "skip", "reason": "not mentioned"}
 
         issue_number = issue["number"]
-        log.info(f"Mentioned in new issue {owner}/{repo}#{issue_number}")
+        log.info(f"New issue {owner}/{repo}#{issue_number}")
         asyncio.create_task(
             process_mention(owner, repo, issue_number, None, None)
         )