diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e4e3eec..8529f0c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ Deploynaut functions as a GitHub App, managing deployment approvals via [custom
 
 ### Approval Process
 
-Deployments are approved by submitting a review with the `/deploy` command.
+Deployments are approved by submitting an approved review, or a `/deploy` command in a commented review.
 
 #### Deployment Validation
 
@@ -30,7 +30,9 @@ Deployments are auto-approved if:
 
 For manual approvals:
 
-- An eligible reviewer submits a [review](https://docs.github.com/en/pull-requests/collaborating-with-pull-requests/reviewing-changes-in-pull-requests/reviewing-proposed-changes-in-a-pull-request#submitting-your-review) with the `/deploy` command.
+- An eligible reviewer submits a [review](https://docs.github.com/en/pull-requests/collaborating-with-pull-requests/reviewing-changes-in-pull-requests/reviewing-proposed-changes-in-a-pull-request#submitting-your-review).
+  - Commented reviews need to start with `/deploy`.
+  - Approved reviews do not need to match any string.
 - The app approves pending deployments matching the reviewed commit SHA.
 
 #### Eligible Reviewers
@@ -56,7 +58,7 @@ Key security features include:
 1. Developer opens a PR and triggers a deployment.
 2. App receives a deployment protection rule event.
 3. If not auto-approved, the app comments on the PR with instructions.
-4. Eligible reviewer submits a review with `/deploy`.
+4. Eligible reviewer submits a commentedreview with `/deploy`.
 5. App validates the approval and enables deployment.
 
 ## Setup
diff --git a/src/handlers/deployment-protection-rule.ts b/src/handlers/deployment-protection-rule.ts
index 9305891..ab79ea1 100644
--- a/src/handlers/deployment-protection-rule.ts
+++ b/src/handlers/deployment-protection-rule.ts
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ import assert from 'assert';
 
 export const instructionalComment =
 	'One or more environments require approval before deploying workflow runs.\n\n' +
-	'Maintainers, please inspect changes carefully for improper handling of sensitive information and submit a review with the required string.\n\n' +
-	'> **Files changed -> Review changes -> Comment** -> `/deploy`';
+	'Maintainers, please inspect changes carefully for improper handling of secrets or other sensitive information.\n\n' +
+	'To approve pending deployments, submit an approved review, or a commented review with `/deploy`.';
 
 export async function handleDeploymentProtectionRule(
 	context: Context,
@@ -83,13 +83,16 @@ export async function handleDeploymentProtectionRule(
 			);
 
 			// Find an eligible review authored by a different user than the commit author or committer
+			// Comment reviews need to start with /deploy
+			// Approved reviews do not need to match any string
 			const deployReview = reviews.find(
 				(review) =>
-					['approved', 'commented'].includes(review.state.toLowerCase()) &&
 					review.commit_id === deployment.sha &&
 					review.user.id !== commit.author?.id &&
 					review.user.id !== commit.committer?.id &&
-					review.body?.startsWith('/deploy'),
+					(review.state.toLowerCase() === 'approved' ||
+						(review.state.toLowerCase() === 'commented' &&
+							review.body?.startsWith('/deploy'))),
 			);
 
 			if (deployReview) {
diff --git a/src/handlers/pull-request-review.ts b/src/handlers/pull-request-review.ts
index 0884833..ace27b8 100644
--- a/src/handlers/pull-request-review.ts
+++ b/src/handlers/pull-request-review.ts
@@ -31,7 +31,12 @@ export async function handlePullRequestReview(context: Context) {
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (!review.body?.startsWith('/deploy')) {
+	// Comment reviews need to start with /deploy
+	// Approved reviews do not need to match any string
+	if (
+		review.state.toLowerCase() === 'commented' &&
+		!review.body?.startsWith('/deploy')
+	) {
 		context.log.debug('Ignoring unsupported comment');
 		return;
 	}
diff --git a/tests/handlers/deployment-protection-rule.test.ts b/tests/handlers/deployment-protection-rule.test.ts
index 1833dbc..0e79ee5 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/deployment-protection-rule.test.ts
+++ b/tests/handlers/deployment-protection-rule.test.ts
@@ -192,7 +192,6 @@ describe('Deployment Protection Rule Handler', () => {
 			.reply(200, [
 				{
 					commit_id: 'test-sha',
-					body: '/deploy please',
 					state: 'APPROVED',
 					user: { login: 'test-user', id: 789 },
 				},