diff --git a/binder b/binder
index b40c96524..e6311aa59 100755
--- a/binder
+++ b/binder
@@ -1091,8 +1091,10 @@ class BookBinder:
             if current_branch == "dev":
                 console.print("[yellow]⚠️ You're on dev branch[/yellow]")
                 console.print("[blue]Should I merge dev into main?[/blue]")
-                console.print("[bold]Merge dev to main? (y/n): [/bold]", end="")
+                console.print("[bold]Merge dev to main? (y/n) [y]: [/bold]", end="")
                 choice = input().strip().lower()
+                if not choice:
+                    choice = 'y'
                 
                 if choice in ['y', 'yes']:
                     console.print("[blue]🔄 Merging dev to main...[/blue]")
@@ -1148,8 +1150,10 @@ class BookBinder:
             
             # Ask about release creation
             console.print("\n[blue]📦 Create GitHub release?[/blue]")
-            console.print("[bold]Create release? (y/n): [/bold]", end="")
+            console.print("[bold]Create release? (y/n) [y]: [/bold]", end="")
             release_choice = input().strip().lower()
+            if not release_choice:
+                release_choice = 'y'
             create_release = release_choice in ['y', 'yes']
             
             # Ask about AI release notes (only for publishing)
@@ -2043,8 +2047,10 @@ Format as markdown with clear sections."""
             console.print(f"  Email: {current_email}")
             
             console.print("\n[blue]Would you like to update your Git configuration?[/blue]")
-            console.print("[bold]Update Git config? (y/n): [/bold]", end="")
+            console.print("[bold]Update Git config? (y/n) [n]: [/bold]", end="")
             update_choice = input().strip().lower()
+            if not update_choice:
+                update_choice = 'n'
             
             if update_choice not in ['y', 'yes']:
                 console.print("[green]✅ Keeping current Git configuration[/green]")