diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 78690ed8e..47bc342c7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -99,21 +99,17 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
     - uses: actions/labeler@v4
-      with:
-        repo-token: "${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}"
 ```
 
-_Note: This grants access to the `GITHUB_TOKEN` so the action can make calls to GitHub's rest API_
-
 #### Inputs
 
 Various inputs are defined in [`action.yml`](action.yml) to let you configure the labeler:
 
 | Name | Description | Default |
 | - | - | - |
-| `repo-token` | Token to use to authorize label changes. Typically the GITHUB_TOKEN secret, with `contents:read` and `pull-requests:write` access | N/A |
+| `repo-token` | Token to use to authorize label changes. Typically the GITHUB_TOKEN secret, with `contents:read` and `pull-requests:write` access | `github.token` |
 | `configuration-path` | The path to the label configuration file | `.github/labeler.yml` |
-| `sync-labels` | Whether or not to remove labels when matching files are reverted or no longer changed by the PR | `false`
+| `sync-labels` | Whether or not to remove labels when matching files are reverted or no longer changed by the PR | `false`|
 
 # Contributions
 
diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index 42e8a7a20..a3df342b6 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@ description: 'Automatically label new pull requests based on the paths of files
 author: 'GitHub'
 inputs:
   repo-token:
-    description: 'The GITHUB_TOKEN secret'
+    description: 'The GitHub token used to manage labels'
+    required: false
+    default: ${{ github.token }}
   configuration-path:
     description: 'The path for the label configurations'
     default: '.github/labeler.yml'
diff --git a/dist/index.js b/dist/index.js
index 4b521af64..014496405 100644
--- a/dist/index.js
+++ b/dist/index.js
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ const minimatch_1 = __nccwpck_require__(3973);
 function run() {
     return __awaiter(this, void 0, void 0, function* () {
         try {
-            const token = core.getInput('repo-token', { required: true });
+            const token = core.getInput('repo-token');
             const configPath = core.getInput('configuration-path', { required: true });
             const syncLabels = !!core.getInput('sync-labels', { required: false });
             const prNumber = getPrNumber();
diff --git a/src/labeler.ts b/src/labeler.ts
index b33073adc..88bf64a48 100644
--- a/src/labeler.ts
+++ b/src/labeler.ts
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ type ClientType = ReturnType<typeof github.getOctokit>;
 
 export async function run() {
   try {
-    const token = core.getInput('repo-token', {required: true});
+    const token = core.getInput('repo-token');
     const configPath = core.getInput('configuration-path', {required: true});
     const syncLabels = !!core.getInput('sync-labels', {required: false});