diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
index 4ffd214..aafdac0 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -88,9 +88,8 @@ jobs:
           fi
 
           if [ -z "${PUBLIC_PATH}" ]; then
-            echo "Set DEPLOY_PUBLIC_PATH (shared-hosting document root)."
-            echo "Example: /home/u280815660/domains/home.alrahmaisgl.org/public_html"
-            exit 1
+            PUBLIC_PATH="$(dirname "${APP_PATH}")/public_html"
+            echo "DEPLOY_PUBLIC_PATH is not set; using ${PUBLIC_PATH}"
           fi
 
           echo "APP_PATH=${APP_PATH}" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
diff --git a/DEPLOYMENT_FILES.md b/DEPLOYMENT_FILES.md
index 408b6fd..89c04c9 100644
--- a/DEPLOYMENT_FILES.md
+++ b/DEPLOYMENT_FILES.md
@@ -58,10 +58,10 @@ Required for SSH deploy:
 - `DEPLOY_USER` - SSH username (for example `u280815660`)
 - `DEPLOY_SSH_KEY` - private key whose public half is in Hostinger SSH Access
 - `DEPLOY_APP_PATH` - application directory, for example `/home/u280815660/domains/home.alrahmaisgl.org/alrahma`
-- `DEPLOY_PUBLIC_PATH` - document root, for example `/home/u280815660/domains/home.alrahmaisgl.org/public_html`
 
 Optional:
 
+- `DEPLOY_PUBLIC_PATH` - document root. Defaults to a sibling `public_html` next to `DEPLOY_APP_PATH`, for example `/home/u280815660/domains/home.alrahmaisgl.org/public_html`
 - `DEPLOY_PORT` - defaults to `65002` (Hostinger SSH). Use `22` only if the host uses the standard port.
 - `DEPLOY_PHP_BIN` - defaults to `/opt/alt/php85/usr/bin/php`
 - `DEPLOY_INDEX_REQUIRE` - defaults to `../alrahma/app/Config/Paths.php`