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+# Proposal to make the identity server optional during discovery
+
+Currently the specification requires that clients `FAIL_ERROR` (hard failure - do not continue)
+when the `.well-known` file for `m.identity_server` points to somewhere invalid or is invalid
+itself.
+
+This proposal aims to change that by allowing clients to make a conscious decision to continue
+with the invalid identity server configuration, provided the homeserver configuration is valid.
+
+## Proposal
+
+Instead of `FAIL_ERROR` for an invalid `m.identity_server` schema/server, clients are to move
+to the `FAIL_PROMPT` (inform the user, ask for input if applicable) state. Clients can decide
+to show a warning that the identity server is unavailable and allow the user to continue with
+the invalid (or client's default) configuration.
+
+## Tradeoffs
+
+Clients can end up being configured with an invalid or inoperable identity server. This is
+considered a feature by this proposal to allow for less intelligent clients to have their
+identity server disabled. Intelligent clients could interpret the lack of identity server
+as the homeserver/user asking that identity server functionality be disabled in the client.