diff --git a/conventional.yaml b/conventional.yaml
index d12825ed..8325af2c 100644
--- a/conventional.yaml
+++ b/conventional.yaml
@@ -607,8 +607,10 @@ opers:
         # 'vhost' line above to be ignored.)
         hidden: false
 
-        # modes are the modes to auto-set upon opering-up
-        modes: +is acjknoqtuxv
+        # modes are modes to auto-set upon opering-up. uncomment this to automatically
+        # enable snomasks ("server notification masks" that alert you to server events;
+        # see `/quote help snomasks` while opered-up for more information):
+        #modes: +is acjknoqtuxv
 
         # operators can be authenticated either by password (with the /OPER command),
         # or by certificate fingerprint, or both. if a password hash is set, then a
diff --git a/default.yaml b/default.yaml
index 6a408120..52b57490 100644
--- a/default.yaml
+++ b/default.yaml
@@ -635,8 +635,10 @@ opers:
         # 'vhost' line above to be ignored.)
         hidden: false
 
-        # modes are the modes to auto-set upon opering-up
-        modes: +is acjknoqtuxv
+        # modes are modes to auto-set upon opering-up. uncomment this to automatically
+        # enable snomasks ("server notification masks" that alert you to server events;
+        # see `/quote help snomasks` while opered-up for more information):
+        #modes: +is acjknoqtuxv
 
         # operators can be authenticated either by password (with the /OPER command),
         # or by certificate fingerprint, or both. if a password hash is set, then a