diff --git a/cmd/felis/api.go b/cmd/felis/api.go
index 0305a7c..302d036 100644
--- a/cmd/felis/api.go
+++ b/cmd/felis/api.go
@@ -140,7 +140,8 @@ func cmdAPI(args []string, stdout, stderr io.Writer) int {
 	// Email one-time codes go through the [smtp] relay when one is configured; the
 	// password is read from the env var password_ref names (default SMTPPasswordEnv,
 	// injected from the felis-smtp Secret). No [smtp] host ⇒ mailer stays nil and
-	// deliverOTP logs each code server-side (the pre-SMTP bootstrap posture).
+	// every door that mails a code answers 503 mail_unavailable: a code that is
+	// not mailed is never written anywhere else either.
 	var mailer api.OTPMailer
 	if cfg.SMTP.Host != "" {
 		passRef := cfg.SMTP.PasswordRef
@@ -151,15 +152,12 @@ func cmdAPI(args []string, stdout, stderr io.Writer) int {
 		if cfg.SMTP.Username != "" && password == "" {
 			fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "felis api: warning: [smtp] username is set but credentials env %s is empty — OTP sends will fail AUTH\n", passRef)
 		}
-		mailer = &mail.SMTP{
-			Host:     cfg.SMTP.Host,
-			Port:     cfg.SMTP.Port,
-			From:     cfg.SMTP.From,
-			Username: cfg.SMTP.Username,
-			Password: password,
+		mailer = smtpRelay(cfg.SMTP, password)
+		if !cfg.SMTP.TLSRequired() {
+			fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "felis api: warning: [smtp] %s may be sent codes without TLS (require_tls off or a relay on this host)\n", cfg.SMTP.Host)
 		}
 	} else {
-		fmt.Fprintln(stderr, "felis api: [smtp] not configured — email one-time codes are logged, not mailed")
+		fmt.Fprintln(stderr, "felis api: [smtp] not configured — email sign-in and verification are off (503 mail_unavailable); sign in with a passkey, or run felis setup to add a relay")
 	}
 
 	// Build subsystem (spec §16): the weak-SA build Job runs in the configured
@@ -824,3 +822,17 @@ func internalCallerTokens(getenv func(string) string) (api.CallerTokens, error)
 	}
 	return api.NewCallerTokens(tokens)
 }
+
+// smtpRelay is the relay [smtp] names, with the resolved password and the TLS
+// posture config.SMTPConfig.TLSRequired picks. felis api, the reaper and the
+// watchdog all send through it, so none can drift to a weaker posture.
+func smtpRelay(c config.SMTPConfig, password string) *mail.SMTP {
+	return &mail.SMTP{
+		Host:       c.Host,
+		Port:       c.Port,
+		From:       c.From,
+		Username:   c.Username,
+		Password:   password,
+		RequireTLS: c.TLSRequired(),
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/felis/reaper.go b/cmd/felis/reaper.go
index 302adcd..a900f44 100644
--- a/cmd/felis/reaper.go
+++ b/cmd/felis/reaper.go
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ import (
 	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/apis/felis/v1alpha1"
 	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/backup"
 	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/config"
-	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/mail"
 	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/platform"
 	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/reaper"
 	corev1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
@@ -126,13 +125,7 @@ func cmdReaper(args []string, stdout, stderr io.Writer) int {
 				}
 				return email, nil
 			},
-			notifier: &mail.SMTP{
-				Host:     cfg.SMTP.Host,
-				Port:     cfg.SMTP.Port,
-				From:     cfg.SMTP.From,
-				Username: cfg.SMTP.Username,
-				Password: password,
-			},
+			notifier: smtpRelay(cfg.SMTP, password),
 		}
 	} else {
 		fmt.Fprintln(stderr, "felis reaper: [smtp] not configured — pre-reap warnings are logged and NOT marked sent")
diff --git a/cmd/felis/tui_smtp.go b/cmd/felis/tui_smtp.go
index e852e70..a00dd17 100644
--- a/cmd/felis/tui_smtp.go
+++ b/cmd/felis/tui_smtp.go
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 
 	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/config"
-	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/mail"
 	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/platform"
 
 	"github.com/charmbracelet/bubbles/spinner"
@@ -311,24 +310,22 @@ func applySMTPConfig(ctx context.Context, in smtpInputs) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("port %q is not a number", in.port)
 	}
-	relay := &mail.SMTP{Host: in.host, Port: port, From: in.from, Username: in.username, Password: in.password}
-	if err := relay.Ping(ctx); err != nil {
+	var prev config.SMTPConfig
+	if cur, err := config.Load(hostSetupConfigPath); err == nil {
+		prev = cur.SMTP
+	}
+	// Ping under the posture felis api will send with, so a relay without
+	// STARTTLS is turned down here rather than at a player's first code.
+	if err := smtpRelay(setupSMTPConfig(in, port, prev), in.password).Ping(ctx); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	smtpCfg := config.SMTPConfig{
-		Host:        in.host,
-		Port:        port,
-		From:        in.from,
-		Username:    in.username,
-		PasswordRef: platform.SMTPPasswordEnv,
-	}
 	for _, path := range []string{hostSetupConfigPath, podSetupConfigPath} {
 		cfg, err := config.Load(path)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		cfg.SMTP = smtpCfg
+		cfg.SMTP = setupSMTPConfig(in, port, cfg.SMTP)
 		if err := writeConfig(path, cfg); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -351,6 +348,22 @@ func applySMTPConfig(ctx context.Context, in smtpInputs) error {
 	return kubectl(ctx, "-n", "felis", "rollout", "status", "deployment/felis-api", "--timeout=180s")
 }
 
+// setupSMTPConfig is the [smtp] block this screen writes: the relay it just
+// proved, plus the keys only an operator sets by hand (require_tls,
+// max_per_hour), carried over from the block it replaces so reconfiguring the
+// relay does not quietly reset them.
+func setupSMTPConfig(in smtpInputs, port int, prev config.SMTPConfig) config.SMTPConfig {
+	return config.SMTPConfig{
+		Host:        in.host,
+		Port:        port,
+		From:        in.from,
+		Username:    in.username,
+		PasswordRef: platform.SMTPPasswordEnv,
+		MaxPerHour:  prev.MaxPerHour,
+		RequireTLS:  prev.RequireTLS,
+	}
+}
+
 // smtpSecretManifest renders the felis-smtp Secret for the given namespace, the
 // one the receiving Deployment/CronJob resolves its secretKeyRef against (felis
 // for felis-api, the workload namespace for the reaper's mirror). The namespace
diff --git a/cmd/felis/tui_smtp_test.go b/cmd/felis/tui_smtp_test.go
index 97c78de..f1a5b8f 100644
--- a/cmd/felis/tui_smtp_test.go
+++ b/cmd/felis/tui_smtp_test.go
@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"reflect"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
+	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/config"
+	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/mail"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/yaml"
 )
 
@@ -35,3 +38,39 @@ func TestSMTPSecretManifestCarriesTargetNamespace(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// TestSMTPRelayCarriesTLSPosture: the relay felis api, the reaper and the
+// watchdog send through refuses plaintext for a remote host and allows it for
+// one on this host, as [smtp] says.
+func TestSMTPRelayCarriesTLSPosture(t *testing.T) {
+	remote := smtpRelay(config.SMTPConfig{Host: "smtp.example.net", Port: 587, From: "felis@example.net", Username: "felis"}, "pw")
+	want := &mail.SMTP{Host: "smtp.example.net", Port: 587, From: "felis@example.net", Username: "felis", Password: "pw", RequireTLS: true}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(remote, want) {
+		t.Errorf("remote relay = %+v, want %+v", remote, want)
+	}
+	if local := smtpRelay(config.SMTPConfig{Host: "127.0.0.1", Port: 25, From: "felis@example.net"}, ""); local.RequireTLS {
+		t.Error("a relay on this host must not require TLS by default")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestSetupSMTPConfigKeepsHandSetKeys: re-running the email screen replaces the
+// relay but keeps require_tls and max_per_hour, which only an operator sets.
+func TestSetupSMTPConfigKeepsHandSetKeys(t *testing.T) {
+	off := false
+	prev := config.SMTPConfig{Host: "old.example.net", Port: 25, From: "old@example.net", MaxPerHour: 500, RequireTLS: &off}
+	in := smtpInputs{host: "smtp.example.net", from: "felis@example.net", username: "felis"}
+	got := setupSMTPConfig(in, 465, prev)
+	if got.Host != "smtp.example.net" || got.Port != 465 || got.From != "felis@example.net" ||
+		got.Username != "felis" || got.PasswordRef != "FELIS_SMTP_PASSWORD" {
+		t.Errorf("relay fields = %+v", got)
+	}
+	if got.MaxPerHour != 500 {
+		t.Errorf("max_per_hour = %d, want 500", got.MaxPerHour)
+	}
+	if got.RequireTLS == nil || *got.RequireTLS {
+		t.Errorf("require_tls = %v, want the operator's false", got.RequireTLS)
+	}
+	if fresh := setupSMTPConfig(in, 587, config.SMTPConfig{}); fresh.RequireTLS != nil || fresh.MaxPerHour != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("first setup = %+v, want require_tls and max_per_hour unset", fresh)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/felis/watchdog.go b/cmd/felis/watchdog.go
index bfaa665..59426cf 100644
--- a/cmd/felis/watchdog.go
+++ b/cmd/felis/watchdog.go
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/config"
-	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/mail"
 	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/offsite"
 	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/platform"
 	"felis.lolicon.best/internal/store"
@@ -245,7 +244,7 @@ func sendAlert(ctx context.Context, cfg *config.Config, state *watchdog.State, s
 	if ref := cfg.SMTP.PasswordRef; ref != "" && os.Getenv(ref) != "" {
 		password = os.Getenv(ref)
 	}
-	relay := &mail.SMTP{Host: cfg.SMTP.Host, Port: cfg.SMTP.Port, From: cfg.SMTP.From, Username: cfg.SMTP.Username, Password: password}
+	relay := smtpRelay(cfg.SMTP, password)
 	var errs []error
 	for _, to := range state.Recipients {
 		if err := relay.SendNotice(ctx, to, subject, body); err != nil {
diff --git a/deploy/bootstrap_test.sh b/deploy/bootstrap_test.sh
index b9110c7..f97c445 100644
--- a/deploy/bootstrap_test.sh
+++ b/deploy/bootstrap_test.sh
@@ -350,6 +350,7 @@ listen = "0.0.0.0:8080"
   from = "felis@example.net"
   username = "relay-user"
   password_ref = "smtp-password"
+  require_tls = false
 
 # Third-party Yggdrasil sources federated by the hasJoined multiplexer. Mojang is
 # always the code-owned identity anchor (premium-first), prepended in Go; sources here
@@ -367,6 +368,7 @@ out="$(run_smtp "$smtp_dir")"
 expect "a configured [smtp] relay is carried" 'host = "mail.example"' "$out"
 expect "its port survives the carry" 'port = 587' "$out"
 expect "its credentials reference survives" 'password_ref = "smtp-password"' "$out"
+expect "an operator's require_tls survives" 'require_tls = false' "$out"
 case "$out" in
   *"#"*)
     echo "FAIL: the carry hoards comment lines:"; printf '%s\n' "$out"; fails=$((fails + 1)) ;;
diff --git a/docs/deferred-seams.md b/docs/deferred-seams.md
index b920c9b..d441a0a 100644
--- a/docs/deferred-seams.md
+++ b/docs/deferred-seams.md
@@ -116,12 +116,11 @@ worth revisiting.
 
 ## Wired since the marker was written
 
-- `internal/api/handlers_email_otp.go:54,223,227` and `internal/api/api.go:84` —
-  SMTP shipped on
-  2026-07-20 (`internal/mail`, wired at `cmd/felis/api.go:264`). The nil-`Mailer`
-  branch that logs the code server-side is a runtime fallback for an install with no
-  `[smtp]` section, not an unbuilt feature. The comments are accurate; the reading
-  "Felis cannot send mail" is not.
+- `internal/api/handlers_email_otp.go` and `internal/api/api.go` — SMTP shipped on
+  2026-07-20 (`internal/mail`, wired in `cmd/felis/api.go`). An install with no
+  `[smtp]` section leaves the `Mailer` nil, and every door that mails a code answers
+  503 `mail_unavailable`; codes are never logged. The reading "Felis cannot send
+  mail" is stale.
 - `internal/config/config.go:117` — was stale. It described the upload transport as a
   deferred integration after both backends had shipped (`LocalContextStore`,
   `S3ContextStore`, selected in `cmd/felis/api.go` by the shape of the configured
diff --git a/docs/openapi.yaml b/docs/openapi.yaml
index 74390f1..1babe4c 100644
--- a/docs/openapi.yaml
+++ b/docs/openapi.yaml
@@ -192,6 +192,15 @@ components:
       content:
         application/json:
           schema: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error' }
+    MailUnavailable:
+      description: >
+        This install has no [smtp] relay (code mail_unavailable), so no code was minted
+        or sent. The public doors answer it before resolving the address, so it is the
+        same for every address. Sign in with a passkey, or have the operator configure
+        email with felis setup.
+      content:
+        application/json:
+          schema: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error' }
     RateLimited:
       description: >
         This client address called the public sign-in doors faster than the per-address
@@ -2162,7 +2171,10 @@ paths:
         '200':
           description: >-
             The login methods available for the address, in a deterministic order
-            (passkey before email_otp). An empty array means no verified account.
+            (passkey before email_otp). email_otp is offered only when the install has
+            a mail relay, passkey only when a verifier is wired and the account has a
+            credential. An empty array means no verified account, or none of its methods
+            is available on this install.
           content:
             application/json:
               schema:
@@ -2546,6 +2558,8 @@ paths:
               schema: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error' }
         '502':
           $ref: '#/components/responses/MailUndeliverable'
+        '503':
+          $ref: '#/components/responses/MailUnavailable'
 
   /api/v1/auth/email/verify:
     post:
@@ -2673,6 +2687,8 @@ paths:
               schema: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error' }
         '502':
           $ref: '#/components/responses/MailUndeliverable'
+        '503':
+          $ref: '#/components/responses/MailUnavailable'
 
   /api/v1/auth/op-login/status/{id}:
     get:
@@ -4113,7 +4129,7 @@ paths:
                 email: { type: string, format: email }
       responses:
         '202':
-          description: Code minted and dispatched (or logged server-side when no mailer is wired).
+          description: Code minted and mailed.
           content:
             application/json:
               schema:
@@ -4142,6 +4158,8 @@ paths:
               schema: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error' }
         '502':
           $ref: '#/components/responses/MailUndeliverable'
+        '503':
+          $ref: '#/components/responses/MailUnavailable'
 
   /api/v1/account/email/verify:
     post:
@@ -4540,6 +4558,8 @@ paths:
               schema: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error' }
         '502':
           $ref: '#/components/responses/MailUndeliverable'
+        '503':
+          $ref: '#/components/responses/MailUnavailable'
 
   /api/v1/account/reauth/email/verify:
     post:
@@ -4757,6 +4777,8 @@ paths:
               schema: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error' }
         '502':
           $ref: '#/components/responses/MailUndeliverable'
+        '503':
+          $ref: '#/components/responses/MailUnavailable'
 
   /api/v1/account/migrate/confirm/otp/verify:
     post:
diff --git a/docs/troubleshooting.md b/docs/troubleshooting.md
index deddb21..8ca96b3 100644
--- a/docs/troubleshooting.md
+++ b/docs/troubleshooting.md
@@ -1947,11 +1947,12 @@ Skips the pre-migration snapshot (`migrate up -no-backup`). The installer warns
 loudly when it is set. Use it only when the snapshot cannot work and you have
 another backup, e.g. an external database newer than the host's `pg_dump`.
 
-## 17. Sign-in refused with 429, mail budget, account code locks, failed sign-ins
+## 17. Sign-in refused: 429 limits, no mail relay, account code locks, failed sign-ins
 
 The public sign-in doors (`/api/v1/auth/*` except logout and the op-login
 status poll) have three limits of their own. Each answers 429 with a
-`Retry-After` header and a distinct error code.
+`Retry-After` header and a distinct error code. The doors that mail a code
+also answer 503 `mail_unavailable` on an install with no mail relay.
 
 ### `rate_limited`: one address called the doors too often
 
@@ -1991,6 +1992,33 @@ raise `max_per_hour` to what your relay allows.
 (`felis_mail_total{result="failed"}`, 502 `mail_undeliverable` to the caller).
 The relay's reason is in the `felis-api` log.
 
+### `mail_unavailable`: no mail relay
+
+With no `[smtp]` section every door that mails a code answers 503
+`mail_unavailable` before minting one: email sign-in, op.console sign-in,
+email verification, and the email step-up for sensitive changes and
+migration. The public doors answer before looking up the address, so every
+address gets the same reply. Sign-in is by passkey only, and a verified email
+stops counting as a way into the account (it is no longer offered as a
+re-verification factor). Codes are never logged: `felis api` says at start
+`[smtp] not configured`. Run `felis setup` and configure email to open the
+doors.
+
+### Relay refused for lacking TLS
+
+A relay on port 465 is spoken to over TLS from the first byte. On any other
+port Felis upgrades with STARTTLS, and when the relay does not offer it the
+send fails with `smtp: <host>:<port> does not offer STARTTLS` (502
+`mail_undeliverable` to the caller, the full text in the `felis-api` log, and
+the same error on the `felis setup` email screen). Without TLS anyone on the
+path reads the codes, and anyone who can rewrite the conversation can strip
+the STARTTLS offer, so this is the default for every relay except one on this
+host (`localhost`, `127.0.0.0/8`, `::1`). Use port 465 or a relay that offers
+STARTTLS. For a relay you reach over a link you trust, set
+`require_tls = false` under `[smtp]` in `/etc/felis/felis.toml` and
+`/etc/felis/felis.pod.toml`; installer re-runs and the setup email screen keep
+it. `felis api` warns at start whenever codes may go out without TLS.
+
 ### `otp_account_locked`: ten wrong codes in 24 hours
 
 Ten wrong email codes for one account within 24 hours, counted across every
diff --git a/internal/api/api.go b/internal/api/api.go
index 24d9d6b..32838ae 100644
--- a/internal/api/api.go
+++ b/internal/api/api.go
@@ -101,10 +101,10 @@ type API struct {
 	Submissions SubmissionService
 
 	// Mailer delivers player email one-time codes (spec §B2 onboarding). It is
-	// optional: when nil the email-OTP start route mints and persists the code but
-	// logs it server-side instead of mailing it (a KNOWN-LIMITATION — the demo has no
-	// SMTP), so the verify flow is still exercised end-to-end. Production wires a real
-	// sender. The code is never returned to the client on either path.
+	// optional: when nil (no [smtp] relay) every door that mails a code answers 503
+	// mail_unavailable before minting one, auth options stops offering email_otp,
+	// and a verified email stops counting as a reauth factor. The code is never
+	// returned to the client or logged.
 	Mailer OTPMailer
 
 	// Passkey verifies WebAuthn credential-creation ceremonies (spec §14 / Phase 6
diff --git a/internal/api/handlers_auth_email_test.go b/internal/api/handlers_auth_email_test.go
index d922d43..9ebef00 100644
--- a/internal/api/handlers_auth_email_test.go
+++ b/internal/api/handlers_auth_email_test.go
@@ -815,3 +815,33 @@ func TestDeadAccountsCannotLogInOrKeepSessions(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Error("refused redeem consumed the code; re-enabling the account must stay retryable within TTL")
 	}
 }
+
+// TestPublicMailDoorsWithoutRelay: with no [smtp] relay both public doors that mail
+// a code answer 503 mail_unavailable before the address is looked up, so a known
+// address, a staff address and an unknown one get the same answer, no code or
+// op-login request is minted, and no cooldown is spent for when a relay is added.
+func TestPublicMailDoorsWithoutRelay(t *testing.T) {
+	api, repo, _ := seedLoginEmailAPI(t)
+	repo.staff["op"] = &StaffUser{ID: "a1", Username: "op", Email: "op@example.net", Role: "admin", EmailVerified: true}
+	api.Mailer = nil
+	eh := api.ExternalHandler()
+
+	for _, door := range []string{"/api/v1/auth/email/start", "/api/v1/auth/op-login/start"} {
+		for _, email := range []string{"player@example.net", "op@example.net", "ghost@example.net"} {
+			w := do(eh, "POST", door, `{"email":"`+email+`"}`, jsonHeader)
+			code, msg := errEnvelope(t, w)
+			if w.Code != http.StatusServiceUnavailable || code != "mail_unavailable" ||
+				msg != "this server has no mail relay configured, so it cannot send codes; sign in with a passkey or ask the server operator to set up email" {
+				t.Errorf("%s %s = %d %s, want 503 mail_unavailable", door, email, w.Code, w.Body.String())
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if len(repo.otps) != 0 || len(repo.opLogins) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("refused starts minted %d codes and %d op-login requests", len(repo.otps), len(repo.opLogins))
+	}
+
+	api.Mailer = &captureMailer{}
+	if w := do(eh, "POST", "/api/v1/auth/email/start", `{"email":"player@example.net"}`, jsonHeader); w.Code != http.StatusAccepted {
+		t.Fatalf("start once a relay is wired = %d (%s), want 202", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/api/handlers_auth_options.go b/internal/api/handlers_auth_options.go
index a96c19d..66a0742 100644
--- a/internal/api/handlers_auth_options.go
+++ b/internal/api/handlers_auth_options.go
@@ -14,8 +14,9 @@ import (
 // It is the deliberate counter-slice to the anti-enumeration login doors
 // (handlers_auth_email.go, handlers_passkey.go): those refuse to disclose whether an
 // address has an account precisely because THIS endpoint is the one sanctioned place
-// existence is revealed. An empty methods array means "no (verified) account". That
-// makes it a mass-enumeration surface by design — an accepted product decision, the
+// existence is revealed. An empty methods array means "no (verified) account, or
+// none of its methods is available on this install". That makes it a
+// mass-enumeration surface by design — an accepted product decision, the
 // same one the email door's header records. The handler sends no mail and mutates
 // nothing, so a per-recipient cooldown would merely block a legitimate retry; what
 // bounds enumeration is the per-client-address token bucket shared by every public
@@ -87,8 +88,12 @@ func (a *API) handleAuthOptions(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		}
 	}
 	// Email-OTP login works for any resolved verified account (UserByEmail resolves only
-	// email_verified rows), so it is always on offer.
-	methods = append(methods, "email_otp")
+	// email_verified rows), so it is on offer whenever a relay can mail the code; with
+	// none the email door answers 503 mail_unavailable, so it is left out like an
+	// unwired passkey verifier.
+	if a.Mailer != nil {
+		methods = append(methods, "email_otp")
+	}
 
 	writeJSON(w, http.StatusOK, map[string]any{"methods": methods})
 }
diff --git a/internal/api/handlers_auth_options_test.go b/internal/api/handlers_auth_options_test.go
index 43208a6..be89587 100644
--- a/internal/api/handlers_auth_options_test.go
+++ b/internal/api/handlers_auth_options_test.go
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ import (
 //     door would immediately 503.
 
 // seedAuthOptionsAPI wires the discovery door: local sessions enabled, a verified player
-// (u1) and a verified staff account (a1), and a passkey verifier wired by default.
+// (u1) and a verified staff account (a1), and a passkey verifier and a mail relay wired
+// by default.
 // Callers seed passkey credentials per-test to set the credential state.
 func seedAuthOptionsAPI(t *testing.T) (*API, *fakeRepo) {
 	t.Helper()
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ func seedAuthOptionsAPI(t *testing.T) (*API, *fakeRepo) {
 	repo.staff["boss"] = &StaffUser{ID: "a1", Username: "boss", Email: "boss@example.net", Role: "admin", EmailVerified: true}
 	api := newTestAPI(repo, newFakeCluster())
 	api.Passkey = &fakePasskeyVerifier{}
+	api.Mailer = &captureMailer{}
 	return api, repo
 }
 
@@ -128,6 +130,22 @@ func TestAuthOptionsDoesNotRevealStaffness(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// TestAuthOptionsEmailRequiresMailRelay: with no [smtp] relay the email door answers
+// 503 mail_unavailable, so options leaves email_otp out; an account with a passkey is
+// still offered it, and one without is offered nothing.
+func TestAuthOptionsEmailRequiresMailRelay(t *testing.T) {
+	api, repo := seedAuthOptionsAPI(t)
+	api.Mailer = nil
+	repo.passkeyCreds["a"] = PasskeyCredential{ID: "a", UserID: "a1", CredentialID: "c-a1", PublicKey: "k", CreatedAt: frozenNow}
+	eh := api.ExternalHandler()
+	if w := do(eh, "POST", authOptionsPath, `{"email":"boss@example.net"}`, jsonHeader); w.Body.String() != `{"methods":["passkey"]}`+"\n" {
+		t.Errorf("passkey account body = %q, want only passkey", w.Body.String())
+	}
+	if w := do(eh, "POST", authOptionsPath, `{"email":"player@example.net"}`, jsonHeader); w.Body.String() != `{"methods":[]}`+"\n" {
+		t.Errorf("email-only account body = %q, want no methods", w.Body.String())
+	}
+}
+
 // TestAuthOptionsPasskeyRequiresWiredVerifier: the account HAS an enrolled passkey, but
 // no verifier is wired (a.Passkey == nil). Both login halves 503 passkey_unavailable in
 // that state, so options must NOT advertise passkey — it would be a dead offer.
diff --git a/internal/api/handlers_email_otp.go b/internal/api/handlers_email_otp.go
index b2148ae..0ca7bb7 100644
--- a/internal/api/handlers_email_otp.go
+++ b/internal/api/handlers_email_otp.go
@@ -68,10 +68,9 @@ const (
 	otpLiveLoginCodes = 3
 )
 
-// OTPMailer delivers a one-time code to an email address. It is a seam, not a
-// dependency: the demo ships without SMTP, so a nil Mailer logs the code
-// server-side instead of mailing it (a KNOWN-LIMITATION, never a code returned to
-// the client). Production wires a real sender.
+// OTPMailer delivers a one-time code to an email address. felis api wires the
+// [smtp] relay (internal/mail); with none configured it stays nil and every door
+// that mails a code answers 503 mail_unavailable before minting one.
 type OTPMailer interface {
 	SendOTP(ctx context.Context, email, code string) error
 }
@@ -140,6 +139,12 @@ func (a *API) handleEmailOTPStart(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		writeError(w, r, newError(http.StatusBadRequest, "bad_request", "a valid email is required"))
 		return
 	}
+	// No relay (or a spent budget) is said before asking for a re-verification
+	// the player could not then use.
+	if err := a.checkMailBudget(); err != nil {
+		writeError(w, r, err)
+		return
+	}
 	// Gate the start: the verify only redeems a code minted here.
 	if !a.requireReauth(w, r, p) {
 		return
@@ -274,16 +279,17 @@ func (a *API) handleEmailOTPVerify(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	writeJSON(w, http.StatusOK, map[string]any{"verified": true, "email": email})
 }
 
-// deliverOTP hands the code to the configured Mailer, or — when none is wired (the
-// demo) — logs it server-side as a KNOWN-LIMITATION. The code is logged ONLY in the
-// no-mailer fallback and ONLY to the server log; it is never put in an HTTP response.
+// deliverOTP hands the code to the configured Mailer. The code goes nowhere
+// else: never into a response and never into a log, since anyone who can read
+// the API's logs could otherwise sign in as any player. The doors refuse a
+// relay-less install before minting (checkMailBudget); the nil check here only
+// keeps a future caller that skips that check from minting a code no one gets.
 //
 // Every real send spends one token of the install-wide mail budget (mailGate);
 // a spent budget is a 429 mail_rate_limited and nothing reaches the relay.
 func (a *API) deliverOTP(ctx context.Context, email, code string) error {
 	if a.Mailer == nil {
-		log.Printf("email-otp: no Mailer configured; code for %s is %s (KNOWN-LIMITATION: demo has no SMTP)", email, code)
-		return nil
+		return errMailUnavailable()
 	}
 	if ok, wait := a.mailGate().take(mailGateKey); !ok {
 		metrics.MailTotal.WithLabelValues("otp", "throttled").Inc()
diff --git a/internal/api/handlers_email_otp_test.go b/internal/api/handlers_email_otp_test.go
index 1d8fc1d..48ce6c8 100644
--- a/internal/api/handlers_email_otp_test.go
+++ b/internal/api/handlers_email_otp_test.go
@@ -139,15 +139,15 @@ func TestWithRecoverLogsPanicStack(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// TestEmailOTPStartValidation covers the mint-side input gate and the no-mailer
-// fallback (the demo path): a malformed address never mints, and a nil Mailer still
-// persists a code (logged server-side) so the verify flow stays exercisable.
+// TestEmailOTPStartValidation covers the mint-side input gate and the no-relay
+// refusal: a malformed address never mints, and with no Mailer the start answers
+// 503 mail_unavailable without minting, so no code exists to leak anywhere.
 func TestEmailOTPStartValidation(t *testing.T) {
 	user := &Principal{UserID: "u1", Email: "u1@example.net", Role: "user"}
 	mk := func(repo *fakeRepo) http.Handler {
 		api := newTestAPI(repo, newFakeCluster())
 		api.External = staticExternal{p: user}
-		return api.ExternalHandler() // no Mailer wired → demo fallback
+		return api.ExternalHandler() // no Mailer wired
 	}
 
 	bad := map[string]string{
@@ -174,16 +174,50 @@ func TestEmailOTPStartValidation(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 
-	t.Run("no mailer still persists a code (demo fallback)", func(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("no mailer refuses without minting", func(t *testing.T) {
 		repo := newFakeRepo()
 		w := do(mk(repo), "POST", "/api/v1/account/email/start", `{"email":"player@example.net"}`, nil)
-		if w.Code != http.StatusAccepted {
-			t.Fatalf("code = %d, want 202 (%s)", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+		code, msg := errEnvelope(t, w)
+		if w.Code != http.StatusServiceUnavailable || code != "mail_unavailable" {
+			t.Fatalf("code = %d %s, want 503 mail_unavailable", w.Code, w.Body.String())
 		}
-		if len(repo.otps) != 1 {
-			t.Fatalf("want exactly 1 persisted code, got %d", len(repo.otps))
+		if msg != "this server has no mail relay configured, so it cannot send codes; sign in with a passkey or ask the server operator to set up email" {
+			t.Errorf("message = %q", msg)
+		}
+		if len(repo.otps) != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("a refused start minted %d codes", len(repo.otps))
 		}
 	})
+
+	// No relay is said before a re-verification the player could not use.
+	t.Run("no mailer is said before reauth", func(t *testing.T) {
+		repo := newFakeRepo()
+		repo.passkeyCreds["p"] = PasskeyCredential{ID: "p", UserID: "u1", CredentialID: "c-p", CreatedAt: frozenNow}
+		api := newTestAPI(repo, newFakeCluster())
+		api.External = staticExternal{p: &Principal{UserID: "u1", Email: "u1@example.net", Role: "user", ViaSession: true}}
+		w := do(api.ExternalHandler(), "POST", "/api/v1/account/email/start", `{"email":"player@example.net"}`, nil)
+		if code, _ := errEnvelope(t, w); w.Code != http.StatusServiceUnavailable || code != "mail_unavailable" {
+			t.Fatalf("code = %d %s, want 503 mail_unavailable", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+// TestDeliverOTPWithoutMailer: a caller that reaches deliverOTP with no relay gets
+// the 503, and the code is written nowhere, the log included.
+func TestDeliverOTPWithoutMailer(t *testing.T) {
+	var logged strings.Builder
+	old := log.Writer()
+	log.SetOutput(&logged)
+	t.Cleanup(func() { log.SetOutput(old) })
+	api := newTestAPI(newFakeRepo(), newFakeCluster())
+	err := api.deliverOTP(context.Background(), "player@example.net", "042137")
+	var ae *apiError
+	if !errors.As(err, &ae) || ae.status != http.StatusServiceUnavailable || ae.code != "mail_unavailable" {
+		t.Fatalf("deliverOTP = %v, want 503 mail_unavailable", err)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(logged.String(), "042137") {
+		t.Errorf("the code reached the log: %s", logged.String())
+	}
 }
 
 // TestEmailOTPStartRateLimited closes the email-bomb vector: handleEmailOTPStart is
diff --git a/internal/api/ratelimit.go b/internal/api/ratelimit.go
index 6f0b601..54524a2 100644
--- a/internal/api/ratelimit.go
+++ b/internal/api/ratelimit.go
@@ -212,12 +212,21 @@ func errMailRateLimited(wait time.Duration) *apiError {
 		"this server is sending too much mail right now; try again shortly").retryAfter(wait)
 }
 
-// checkMailBudget is the public doors' pre-resolution check: it refuses every
-// address alike while the budget is spent, so the refusal says nothing about
-// whether the address has an account.
+// errMailUnavailable answers a door that would mail a code on an install with
+// no [smtp] relay. The code is never minted, so it cannot turn up anywhere.
+func errMailUnavailable() *apiError {
+	return newError(http.StatusServiceUnavailable, "mail_unavailable",
+		"this server has no mail relay configured, so it cannot send codes; sign in with a passkey or ask the server operator to set up email")
+}
+
+// checkMailBudget runs before a door mints a code: with no relay it refuses
+// with mail_unavailable, and while the install-wide budget is spent with
+// mail_rate_limited. The public doors call it before resolving the address, so
+// either refusal is the same for every address and says nothing about whether
+// it has an account.
 func (a *API) checkMailBudget() error {
 	if a.Mailer == nil {
-		return nil
+		return errMailUnavailable()
 	}
 	if ok, wait := a.mailGate().peek(mailGateKey); !ok {
 		metrics.MailTotal.WithLabelValues("otp", "throttled").Inc()
diff --git a/internal/api/reauth.go b/internal/api/reauth.go
index f4153ec..971267a 100644
--- a/internal/api/reauth.go
+++ b/internal/api/reauth.go
@@ -74,12 +74,18 @@ func (a *API) reauthState(r *http.Request, p *Principal) (reauthState, error) {
 	if hasPasskey {
 		st.Factors = append(st.Factors, reauthFactorPasskey)
 	}
-	if staffRole(p.Role) {
-		st.Factors = append(st.Factors, reauthFactorSignIn)
-	} else if p.EmailVerified {
-		st.Factors = append(st.Factors, reauthFactorEmail)
+	// A verified email is a way in only while a relay can mail it a code: with
+	// none, the email and op-login doors answer 503 mail_unavailable, so it is
+	// neither a factor to offer nor a door to guard.
+	emailWayIn := p.EmailVerified && a.Mailer != nil
+	if emailWayIn {
+		if staffRole(p.Role) {
+			st.Factors = append(st.Factors, reauthFactorSignIn)
+		} else {
+			st.Factors = append(st.Factors, reauthFactorEmail)
+		}
 	}
-	if !hasPasskey && !p.EmailVerified {
+	if !hasPasskey && !emailWayIn {
 		// Nothing to protect yet: the session is the account's only way in.
 		return st, nil
 	}
@@ -342,6 +348,10 @@ func (a *API) finishStepUpPasskey(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, p *Pri
 // address and answers 202. keyPrefix namespaces the per-mailbox resend cooldown
 // so the step-up doors never perturb each other's throttle.
 func (a *API) startStepUpOTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, p *Principal, purpose, keyPrefix, auditAction string) {
+	if err := a.checkMailBudget(); err != nil {
+		writeError(w, r, err)
+		return
+	}
 	if until, err := a.Repo.OTPLockedUntil(r.Context(), p.UserID, purpose, a.now()); err != nil {
 		writeError(w, r, err)
 		return
diff --git a/internal/api/reauth_test.go b/internal/api/reauth_test.go
index 9446248..d01dc33 100644
--- a/internal/api/reauth_test.go
+++ b/internal/api/reauth_test.go
@@ -202,6 +202,7 @@ func getReauthStatus(t *testing.T, f *sessionsFixture, tok string) reauthStatusB
 
 func TestReauthStatusNamesTheFactors(t *testing.T) {
 	f := reauthFixture(t)
+	f.api.Mailer = &captureMailer{}
 	f.repo.passkeyCreds["a"] = PasskeyCredential{ID: "a", UserID: "u1", CredentialID: "c-a", CreatedAt: frozenNow}
 	f.repo.passkeyCreds["p"] = PasskeyCredential{ID: "p", UserID: "u3", CredentialID: "c-p", CreatedAt: frozenNow}
 
@@ -228,6 +229,30 @@ func TestReauthStatusNamesTheFactors(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// TestReauthWithoutMailRelay: with no [smtp] relay a verified email is no way in
+// (the email and op-login doors answer 503), so it is neither offered as a factor
+// nor guarded; a passkey still is, and the email start door says why it cannot help.
+func TestReauthWithoutMailRelay(t *testing.T) {
+	f := reauthFixture(t)
+	f.repo.passkeyCreds["p"] = PasskeyCredential{ID: "p", UserID: "u3", CredentialID: "c-p", CreatedAt: frozenNow}
+
+	steve := getReauthStatus(t, f, laptopTok)
+	if steve.Needed || len(steve.Factors) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("email-only player status = %+v, want not needed and no factors", steve)
+	}
+	pam := getReauthStatus(t, f, opTok)
+	if !pam.Needed || strings.Join(pam.Factors, ",") != "passkey" {
+		t.Fatalf("operator with a passkey status = %+v, want needed with passkey only", pam)
+	}
+	w := do(f.eh, "POST", "/api/v1/account/reauth/email/start", "", asCookie(laptopTok))
+	if code, _ := errEnvelope(t, w); w.Code != http.StatusServiceUnavailable || code != "mail_unavailable" {
+		t.Fatalf("email start = %d %s, want 503 mail_unavailable", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+	if n := len(f.repo.otps); n != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("a refused start minted %d codes", n)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestReauthByEmailCode(t *testing.T) {
 	f := reauthFixture(t)
 	mailer := &captureMailer{}
diff --git a/internal/config/config.go b/internal/config/config.go
index b0c4828..e1e53d8 100644
--- a/internal/config/config.go
+++ b/internal/config/config.go
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ type AuthSourceConfig struct {
 
 // SMTPConfig is the [smtp] table: the outbound mail relay felis-api delivers
 // email one-time codes through (onboarding, email login, op-login). It is
-// OPTIONAL — an empty host means "no mailer", and felis-api falls back to
-// logging each code server-side (the pre-SMTP bootstrap posture). Only the
+// OPTIONAL — an empty host means "no mailer": every door that mails a code
+// answers 503 mail_unavailable and sign-in is by passkey only. Only the
 // coordinates live here; the password follows the tree's credential rule
 // (ArchiveS3Config, RegistryS3Config): PasswordRef NAMES the environment
 // variable felis-api reads it from — the secret itself is never written into
@@ -79,6 +79,27 @@ type SMTPConfig struct {
 	// so a flood cannot spend the relay's quota and get the account suspended.
 	// 0 means DefaultMailPerHour. Size it to the relay's own limit.
 	MaxPerHour int `toml:"max_per_hour"`
+	// RequireTLS refuses to send through a relay on a port other than 465 that
+	// does not offer STARTTLS. Unset, it is on for every relay except one on
+	// this host (see TLSRequired). A code sent in the clear can be read by
+	// anyone on the path, and a relay's STARTTLS offer can be stripped by
+	// anyone who can rewrite the conversation.
+	RequireTLS *bool `toml:"require_tls,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// TLSRequired reports whether mail may go to this relay only over TLS: the
+// explicit require_tls when set, otherwise true unless the relay is this
+// host (localhost or a loopback address), where the path never leaves the
+// machine.
+func (c SMTPConfig) TLSRequired() bool {
+	if c.RequireTLS != nil {
+		return *c.RequireTLS
+	}
+	if strings.EqualFold(c.Host, "localhost") {
+		return false
+	}
+	ip := net.ParseIP(c.Host)
+	return ip == nil || !ip.IsLoopback()
 }
 
 // DefaultMailPerHour is the install-wide mail cap when smtp.max_per_hour is
diff --git a/internal/config/config_test.go b/internal/config/config_test.go
index a35f0fb..a9e6293 100644
--- a/internal/config/config_test.go
+++ b/internal/config/config_test.go
@@ -598,6 +598,46 @@ url = "postgres://felis@db/felis"
 	}
 }
 
+// TestSMTPRequireTLS pins when mail may go out in the clear: only to a relay
+// on this host unless require_tls says otherwise, and an explicit value wins
+// in both directions. The key is read from felis.toml, not only set in code.
+func TestSMTPRequireTLS(t *testing.T) {
+	load := func(smtp string) config.SMTPConfig {
+		t.Helper()
+		cfg, err := config.Load(writeTOML(t, `
+[server]
+root_domain = "mc.example.net"
+[database]
+url = "postgres://felis@db/felis"
+[smtp]
+from = "felis@example.net"
+`+smtp))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("Load: %v", err)
+		}
+		return cfg.SMTP
+	}
+	cases := []struct {
+		smtp string
+		want bool
+	}{
+		{`host = "smtp.example.net"`, true},
+		{`host = "10.0.0.5"`, true},
+		{`host = "localhost"`, false},
+		{`host = "LocalHost"`, false},
+		{`host = "127.0.0.1"`, false},
+		{`host = "127.0.0.53"`, false},
+		{`host = "::1"`, false},
+		{"host = \"smtp.example.net\"\nrequire_tls = false", false},
+		{"host = \"127.0.0.1\"\nrequire_tls = true", true},
+	}
+	for _, c := range cases {
+		if got := load(c.smtp).TLSRequired(); got != c.want {
+			t.Errorf("%q: TLSRequired = %v, want %v", c.smtp, got, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 // TestLoadRejectsSMTPWithoutFrom guards the deliverability rule: naming a relay
 // host commits the block to being sendable, so a missing/invalid From fails at
 // load rather than at the first OTP a player is waiting on.
diff --git a/internal/mail/mail.go b/internal/mail/mail.go
index 8a10beb..2cd1159 100644
--- a/internal/mail/mail.go
+++ b/internal/mail/mail.go
@@ -6,10 +6,12 @@
 // notice (SendNotice).
 //
 // TLS posture: port 465 dials implicit TLS; any other port dials plaintext and
-// upgrades via STARTTLS when the relay advertises it. AUTH is attempted only
-// when a username is configured, and net/smtp's PlainAuth itself refuses to
-// send credentials over an unencrypted connection — a relay that offers no
-// TLS can carry unauthenticated mail but can never be handed the password.
+// upgrades via STARTTLS. With RequireTLS set (the default for any relay not on
+// this host, config.SMTPConfig.TLSRequired) a relay that does not offer
+// STARTTLS is refused before a single address or code is sent, so a relay
+// without TLS, or a path that strips the offer, fails loudly. AUTH is
+// attempted only when a username is configured, and net/smtp's PlainAuth
+// itself refuses to send credentials over an unencrypted connection.
 package mail
 
 import (
@@ -38,6 +40,9 @@ type SMTP struct {
 	From     string
 	Username string
 	Password string
+	// RequireTLS refuses a relay on a port other than 465 that does not offer
+	// STARTTLS. Callers set it from config.SMTPConfig.TLSRequired.
+	RequireTLS bool
 }
 
 // SendOTP mails code to email as a small bilingual plain-text message. It is
@@ -172,6 +177,10 @@ func (s *SMTP) connect(ctx context.Context) (*smtp.Client, error) {
 				c.Close()
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("smtp: starttls: %w", err)
 			}
+		} else if s.RequireTLS {
+			c.Close()
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("smtp: %s does not offer STARTTLS, so mail to it would cross the network unencrypted; "+
+				"use port 465 or a relay with STARTTLS, or set [smtp] require_tls = false for a relay you reach over a trusted link", addr)
 		}
 	}
 	if s.Username != "" {
diff --git a/internal/mail/mail_test.go b/internal/mail/mail_test.go
index 935e2f6..6802e13 100644
--- a/internal/mail/mail_test.go
+++ b/internal/mail/mail_test.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"net"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 )
@@ -91,6 +92,34 @@ func TestNoticeShape(t *testing.T) {
 // unconditionally and only render their verdict after the message body, so a
 // probe stopping short of end-of-DATA reports a green relay that cannot send.
 func fakeRelay(t *testing.T, dataVerdict string) (string, int) {
+	t.Helper()
+	return startRelay(t, &relayOpts{dataVerdict: dataVerdict})
+}
+
+// relayOpts shapes a fake relay: its end-of-DATA verdict, whether its EHLO
+// offers STARTTLS (it cannot complete one: it answers 220 and hangs up), and
+// the commands it received, in order.
+type relayOpts struct {
+	dataVerdict string
+	starttls    bool
+
+	mu   sync.Mutex
+	seen []string
+}
+
+func (o *relayOpts) record(cmd string) {
+	o.mu.Lock()
+	defer o.mu.Unlock()
+	o.seen = append(o.seen, cmd)
+}
+
+func (o *relayOpts) commands() []string {
+	o.mu.Lock()
+	defer o.mu.Unlock()
+	return append([]string(nil), o.seen...)
+}
+
+func startRelay(t *testing.T, opts *relayOpts) (string, int) {
 	t.Helper()
 	ln, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
 	if err != nil {
@@ -103,7 +132,7 @@ func fakeRelay(t *testing.T, dataVerdict string) (string, int) {
 			if err != nil {
 				return
 			}
-			go serveFakeRelay(conn, dataVerdict)
+			go serveFakeRelay(conn, opts)
 		}
 	}()
 	host, portStr, err := net.SplitHostPort(ln.Addr().String())
@@ -117,18 +146,28 @@ func fakeRelay(t *testing.T, dataVerdict string) (string, int) {
 	return host, port
 }
 
-func serveFakeRelay(conn net.Conn, dataVerdict string) {
+func serveFakeRelay(conn net.Conn, opts *relayOpts) {
 	defer conn.Close()
 	br := bufio.NewReader(conn)
 	io.WriteString(conn, "220 fake ESMTP\r\n")
 	for {
 		line, err := br.ReadString('\n')
 		if err != nil {
+			opts.record("<closed>")
 			return
 		}
-		switch cmd := strings.ToUpper(strings.TrimSpace(line)); {
+		cmd := strings.ToUpper(strings.TrimSpace(line))
+		if f := strings.Fields(cmd); len(f) > 0 {
+			opts.record(f[0])
+		}
+		switch {
+		case strings.HasPrefix(cmd, "EHLO") && opts.starttls:
+			io.WriteString(conn, "250-fake\r\n250 STARTTLS\r\n")
 		case strings.HasPrefix(cmd, "EHLO"), strings.HasPrefix(cmd, "HELO"):
 			io.WriteString(conn, "250 fake\r\n")
+		case strings.HasPrefix(cmd, "STARTTLS"):
+			io.WriteString(conn, "220 ready\r\n")
+			return
 		case strings.HasPrefix(cmd, "MAIL FROM"), strings.HasPrefix(cmd, "RCPT TO"):
 			io.WriteString(conn, "250 2.1.0 Ok\r\n")
 		case strings.HasPrefix(cmd, "DATA"):
@@ -142,7 +181,7 @@ func serveFakeRelay(conn net.Conn, dataVerdict string) {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			io.WriteString(conn, dataVerdict+"\r\n")
+			io.WriteString(conn, opts.dataVerdict+"\r\n")
 		case strings.HasPrefix(cmd, "QUIT"):
 			io.WriteString(conn, "221 bye\r\n")
 			return
@@ -199,3 +238,66 @@ func TestSendOTPSurfacesEndOfDataRefusal(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("want the relay's refusal surfaced, got: %v", err)
 	}
 }
+
+// TestRequireTLSRefusesPlaintextRelay: with RequireTLS a relay that offers no
+// STARTTLS gets nothing past EHLO — no sender, no recipient, no code — and the
+// operator is told which relay and which knob.
+func TestRequireTLSRefusesPlaintextRelay(t *testing.T) {
+	relay := &relayOpts{dataVerdict: "250 2.0.0 Ok"}
+	host, port := startRelay(t, relay)
+	s := &SMTP{Host: host, Port: port, From: "noreply@example.net", RequireTLS: true}
+
+	err := s.SendOTP(context.Background(), "player@example.org", "042137")
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("SendOTP sent a code through a relay without STARTTLS")
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"does not offer STARTTLS", host + ":" + strconv.Itoa(port), "require_tls = false"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+			t.Errorf("error %q does not mention %q", err, want)
+		}
+	}
+	// The client hangs up instead of leaving the connection to the garbage
+	// collector; the relay sees that shortly after SendOTP returns.
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
+	for len(relay.commands()) < 2 && time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	if got := strings.Join(relay.commands(), " "); got != "EHLO <closed>" {
+		t.Errorf("relay received %q, want EHLO and then the connection closed", got)
+	}
+	if err := s.Ping(context.Background()); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "does not offer STARTTLS") {
+		t.Errorf("Ping = %v, want the STARTTLS refusal", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestPlaintextRelayAllowedWithoutRequireTLS: require_tls = false (or a relay
+// on this host) keeps the old opportunistic posture and the code is delivered.
+func TestPlaintextRelayAllowedWithoutRequireTLS(t *testing.T) {
+	relay := &relayOpts{dataVerdict: "250 2.0.0 Ok"}
+	host, port := startRelay(t, relay)
+	s := &SMTP{Host: host, Port: port, From: "noreply@example.net"}
+
+	if err := s.SendOTP(context.Background(), "player@example.org", "042137"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SendOTP: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got := strings.Join(relay.commands(), " "); got != "EHLO MAIL RCPT DATA QUIT" {
+		t.Errorf("relay received %q, want EHLO MAIL RCPT DATA QUIT", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestRequireTLSTakesAnOfferedStartTLS: when the relay does offer STARTTLS the
+// client goes for it rather than refusing; this fake then hangs up mid-upgrade,
+// so the failure is the upgrade's own.
+func TestRequireTLSTakesAnOfferedStartTLS(t *testing.T) {
+	relay := &relayOpts{dataVerdict: "250 2.0.0 Ok", starttls: true}
+	host, port := startRelay(t, relay)
+	s := &SMTP{Host: host, Port: port, From: "noreply@example.net", RequireTLS: true}
+
+	err := s.SendOTP(context.Background(), "player@example.org", "042137")
+	if err == nil || !strings.HasPrefix(err.Error(), "smtp: starttls:") {
+		t.Fatalf("SendOTP = %v, want the STARTTLS upgrade failure", err)
+	}
+	if got := strings.Join(relay.commands(), " "); got != "EHLO STARTTLS" {
+		t.Errorf("relay received %q, want EHLO STARTTLS", got)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/panel/src/i18n/resources/en-US/errors.json b/panel/src/i18n/resources/en-US/errors.json
index 21434fd..0afd55a 100644
--- a/panel/src/i18n/resources/en-US/errors.json
+++ b/panel/src/i18n/resources/en-US/errors.json
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@
   "bad_idle_stop": "Idle stop must be between 1 minute and 24 hours, or Never.",
   "email_taken": "That email is already verified on another account — sign in with it or use another address.",
   "mail_undeliverable": "The verification email could not be delivered — try again later, or ask the operator to check the mail relay.",
+  "mail_unavailable": "This server can't send email codes because no mail relay is set up. Sign in with a passkey, or ask the server operator to configure email.",
   "bad_path": "That path is invalid — use a relative path inside the world directory.",
   "too_large": "That is larger than the size limit.",
   "files_timeout": "The file operation timed out — try again shortly.",
diff --git a/panel/src/i18n/resources/zh-CN/errors.json b/panel/src/i18n/resources/zh-CN/errors.json
index 021ce07..b5ed1d7 100644
--- a/panel/src/i18n/resources/zh-CN/errors.json
+++ b/panel/src/i18n/resources/zh-CN/errors.json
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@
   "bad_idle_stop": "空闲停服时长须在 1 分钟到 24 小时之间，或选择“从不”。",
   "email_taken": "该邮箱已在其他账户上完成验证；请直接用该邮箱登录，或换一个地址。",
   "mail_undeliverable": "验证码邮件发送失败——请稍后重试，或联系管理员检查邮件服务。",
+  "mail_unavailable": "服务器没有配置邮件服务，发不出验证码。请改用 Passkey 登录，或请管理员配置邮件。",
   "bad_path": "路径不合法——请使用世界目录内的相对路径。",
   "too_large": "内容超出大小限制，无法处理。",
   "files_timeout": "文件操作超时——请稍后重试。",
diff --git a/panel/src/lib/api.test.ts b/panel/src/lib/api.test.ts
index cb09d9b..4bcf99f 100644
--- a/panel/src/lib/api.test.ts
+++ b/panel/src/lib/api.test.ts
@@ -402,6 +402,13 @@ describe("api access-control wire shapes", () => {
     );
   });
 
+  it("says email codes are off when the install has no mail relay", async () => {
+    const { humanizeError } = await import("./api");
+    expect(humanizeError({ status: 503, code: "mail_unavailable" })).toBe(
+      "This server can't send email codes because no mail relay is set up. Sign in with a passkey, or ask the server operator to configure email.",
+    );
+  });
+
   it("maps the backup rationing codes to their own copy", async () => {
     const { humanizeError } = await import("./api");
     expect(humanizeError({ code: "backup_cooldown" })).toMatch(/cooldown/i);
diff --git a/panel/src/lib/api.ts b/panel/src/lib/api.ts
index f16e67f..53dd11f 100644
--- a/panel/src/lib/api.ts
+++ b/panel/src/lib/api.ts
@@ -941,6 +941,9 @@ export function humanizeError(e: unknown): string {
       return t("email_taken");
     case "mail_undeliverable":
       return t("mail_undeliverable");
+    // No [smtp] relay at all: every door that mails a code refuses before minting.
+    case "mail_unavailable":
+      return t("mail_unavailable");
     // File editor (spec §7): path/size refusals from the sandboxed job, plus the
     // subsystem being unwired.
     case "bad_path":
diff --git a/panel/src/lib/openapi.gen.ts b/panel/src/lib/openapi.gen.ts
index 57548cc..9ebeb95 100644
--- a/panel/src/lib/openapi.gen.ts
+++ b/panel/src/lib/openapi.gen.ts
@@ -2488,6 +2488,15 @@ export interface components {
                 "application/json": components["schemas"]["Error"];
             };
         };
+        /** @description This install has no [smtp] relay (code mail_unavailable), so no code was minted or sent. The public doors answer it before resolving the address, so it is the same for every address. Sign in with a passkey, or have the operator configure email with felis setup. */
+        MailUnavailable: {
+            headers: {
+                [name: string]: unknown;
+            };
+            content: {
+                "application/json": components["schemas"]["Error"];
+            };
+        };
         /** @description This client address called the public sign-in doors faster than the per-address limit allows (code rate_limited); Retry-After gives the seconds until the next call is admitted. The address is the visitor header the install's edge writes ([auth] client_ip_header: CF-Connecting-IP behind the Cloudflare tunnel), else the TCP peer; IPv6 clients share one limit per /64. */
         RateLimited: {
             headers: {
@@ -3963,7 +3972,7 @@ export interface operations {
             };
         };
         responses: {
-            /** @description The login methods available for the address, in a deterministic order (passkey before email_otp). An empty array means no verified account. */
+            /** @description The login methods available for the address, in a deterministic order (passkey before email_otp). email_otp is offered only when the install has a mail relay, passkey only when a verifier is wired and the account has a credential. An empty array means no verified account, or none of its methods is available on this install. */
             200: {
                 headers: {
                     [name: string]: unknown;
@@ -4364,6 +4373,7 @@ export interface operations {
                 };
             };
             502: components["responses"]["MailUndeliverable"];
+            503: components["responses"]["MailUnavailable"];
         };
     };
     loginEmailVerify: {
@@ -4492,6 +4502,7 @@ export interface operations {
                 };
             };
             502: components["responses"]["MailUndeliverable"];
+            503: components["responses"]["MailUnavailable"];
         };
     };
     opLoginStatus: {
@@ -5960,7 +5971,7 @@ export interface operations {
             };
         };
         responses: {
-            /** @description Code minted and dispatched (or logged server-side when no mailer is wired). */
+            /** @description Code minted and mailed. */
             202: {
                 headers: {
                     [name: string]: unknown;
@@ -5995,6 +6006,7 @@ export interface operations {
                 };
             };
             502: components["responses"]["MailUndeliverable"];
+            503: components["responses"]["MailUnavailable"];
         };
     };
     emailOtpVerify: {
@@ -6388,6 +6400,7 @@ export interface operations {
                 };
             };
             502: components["responses"]["MailUndeliverable"];
+            503: components["responses"]["MailUnavailable"];
         };
     };
     reauthEmailVerify: {
@@ -6614,6 +6627,7 @@ export interface operations {
                 };
             };
             502: components["responses"]["MailUndeliverable"];
+            503: components["responses"]["MailUnavailable"];
         };
     };
     migrateConfirmOtpVerify: {