diff --git a/config-generators/dwsql-commands.txt b/config-generators/dwsql-commands.txt
index df4940ae59..480c5d9f14 100644
--- a/config-generators/dwsql-commands.txt
+++ b/config-generators/dwsql-commands.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-init --config "dab-config.DwSql.json" --database-type dwsql --set-session-context true --connection-string "Server=tcp:127.0.0.1,1433;Persist Security Info=False;User ID=sa;Password=REPLACEME;MultipleActiveResultSets=False;Connection Timeout=5;" --host-mode Development --cors-origin "http://localhost:5000"
+init --config "dab-config.DwSql.json" --database-type dwsql --set-session-context true --connection-string "Server=tcp:127.0.0.1,1433;Persist Security Info=False;User ID=sa;Password=REPLACEME;MultipleActiveResultSets=False;Connection Timeout=5;" --host-mode Development --cors-origin "http://localhost:5000" --rest.request-body-strict true
 add Publisher --config "dab-config.DwSql.json" --source publishers --permissions "anonymous:read" --source.key-fields "id"
 add Stock --config "dab-config.DwSql.json" --source stocks --permissions "anonymous:create,read,update,delete" --source.key-fields "categoryid,pieceid"
 add stocks_price --config "dab-config.DwSql.json" --source stocks_price --permissions "authenticated:create,read,update,delete" --source.key-fields "categoryid,pieceid,instant"
diff --git a/config-generators/mssql-commands.txt b/config-generators/mssql-commands.txt
index cecc6b522c..1b8ab2d525 100644
--- a/config-generators/mssql-commands.txt
+++ b/config-generators/mssql-commands.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-init --config "dab-config.MsSql.json" --database-type mssql --set-session-context true --connection-string "Server=tcp:127.0.0.1,1433;Persist Security Info=False;User ID=sa;Password=REPLACEME;MultipleActiveResultSets=False;Connection Timeout=5;" --host-mode Development --cors-origin "http://localhost:5000" --graphql.multiple-create.enabled true
+init --config "dab-config.MsSql.json" --database-type mssql --set-session-context true --connection-string "Server=tcp:127.0.0.1,1433;Persist Security Info=False;User ID=sa;Password=REPLACEME;MultipleActiveResultSets=False;Connection Timeout=5;" --host-mode Development --cors-origin "http://localhost:5000" --graphql.multiple-create.enabled true --rest.request-body-strict true
 add Publisher --config "dab-config.MsSql.json" --source publishers --permissions "anonymous:read"
 add Publisher_MM --config "dab-config.MsSql.json" --source publishers_mm --graphql "Publisher_MM:Publishers_MM" --permissions "anonymous:*"
 add Stock --config "dab-config.MsSql.json" --source stocks --permissions "anonymous:create,read,update,delete"
diff --git a/config-generators/mysql-commands.txt b/config-generators/mysql-commands.txt
index 9f1e705eee..0d7a46d48e 100644
--- a/config-generators/mysql-commands.txt
+++ b/config-generators/mysql-commands.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-init --config "dab-config.MySql.json" --database-type mysql --connection-string "server=localhost;database=datagatewaytest;uid=root;pwd=REPLACEME" --host-mode Development --cors-origin "http://localhost:5000"
+init --config "dab-config.MySql.json" --database-type mysql --connection-string "server=localhost;database=datagatewaytest;uid=root;pwd=REPLACEME" --host-mode Development --cors-origin "http://localhost:5000" --rest.request-body-strict true
 add Publisher --config "dab-config.MySql.json" --source publishers --permissions "anonymous:read"
 add Stock --config "dab-config.MySql.json" --source stocks --permissions "anonymous:create,read,update,delete"
 add Book --config "dab-config.MySql.json" --source books --permissions "anonymous:create,read,update,delete" --graphql "book:books"
diff --git a/config-generators/postgresql-commands.txt b/config-generators/postgresql-commands.txt
index 510d459d54..16f02fbeb6 100644
--- a/config-generators/postgresql-commands.txt
+++ b/config-generators/postgresql-commands.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-init --config "dab-config.PostgreSql.json" --database-type postgresql --connection-string "Host=localhost;Database=datagatewaytest;username=REPLACEME;password=REPLACEME" --host-mode Development --cors-origin "http://localhost:5000"
+init --config "dab-config.PostgreSql.json" --database-type postgresql --connection-string "Host=localhost;Database=datagatewaytest;username=REPLACEME;password=REPLACEME" --host-mode Development --cors-origin "http://localhost:5000" --rest.request-body-strict true
 add Publisher --config "dab-config.PostgreSql.json" --source publishers --permissions "anonymous:read"
 add Stock --config "dab-config.PostgreSql.json" --source stocks --permissions "anonymous:create,read,update,delete"
 add Book --config "dab-config.PostgreSql.json" --source books --permissions "anonymous:create,read,update,delete" --graphql "book:books"
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/ConfigGeneratorTests.cs b/src/Cli.Tests/ConfigGeneratorTests.cs
index a3533381dd..40b235ca9c 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/ConfigGeneratorTests.cs
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/ConfigGeneratorTests.cs
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ public void TestSpecialCharactersInConnectionString()
                 ""rest"": {
                   ""enabled"": true,
                   ""path"": ""/api"",
-                  ""request-body-strict"": true
+                  ""request-body-strict"": false
                   },
                 ""graphql"": {
                   ""enabled"": true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/EndToEndTests.cs b/src/Cli.Tests/EndToEndTests.cs
index e3e32d5076..862d097a6d 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/EndToEndTests.cs
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/EndToEndTests.cs
@@ -1224,7 +1224,7 @@ public void TestEnabledDisabledFlagsForApis(
     [DataTestMethod]
     [DataRow(true, false, DisplayName = "dab init command specifies --rest.request-body-strict as false - REST request body allows extraneous fields.")]
     [DataRow(true, true, DisplayName = "dab init command specifies --rest.request-body-strict as true - REST request body doesn't allow extraneous fields.")]
-    [DataRow(false, true, DisplayName = "dab init command does not include --rest.request-body-strict flag. The default behavior is followed - REST request body doesn't allow extraneous fields.")]
+    [DataRow(false, false, DisplayName = "dab init command does not include --rest.request-body-strict flag. The default behavior is followed - REST request body allows extraneous fields.")]
     public void TestRestRequestBodyStrictMode(bool includeRestRequestBodyStrictFlag, bool isRequestBodyStrict)
     {
         string[] initArgs = { "init", "-c", TEST_RUNTIME_CONFIG_FILE, "--host-mode", "development", "--database-type", "mssql",
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestAddingStoredProcedureWithRestMethodsAndGraphQLOperations.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestAddingStoredProcedureWithRestMethodsAndGraphQLOperations.verified.txt
index 6fcd0d79b1..05e5906102 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestAddingStoredProcedureWithRestMethodsAndGraphQLOperations.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestAddingStoredProcedureWithRestMethodsAndGraphQLOperations.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestConfigGeneratedAfterAddingEntityWithSourceAsStoredProcedure.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestConfigGeneratedAfterAddingEntityWithSourceAsStoredProcedure.verified.txt
index 67fb0f00dc..cad6dc5fee 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestConfigGeneratedAfterAddingEntityWithSourceAsStoredProcedure.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestConfigGeneratedAfterAddingEntityWithSourceAsStoredProcedure.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestConfigGeneratedAfterAddingEntityWithSourceWithDefaultType.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestConfigGeneratedAfterAddingEntityWithSourceWithDefaultType.verified.txt
index 197f5588ed..686230960e 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestConfigGeneratedAfterAddingEntityWithSourceWithDefaultType.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestConfigGeneratedAfterAddingEntityWithSourceWithDefaultType.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestConfigGeneratedAfterAddingEntityWithoutIEnumerables.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestConfigGeneratedAfterAddingEntityWithoutIEnumerables.verified.txt
index 36294a4882..06eb543ec7 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestConfigGeneratedAfterAddingEntityWithoutIEnumerables.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestConfigGeneratedAfterAddingEntityWithoutIEnumerables.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestInitForCosmosDBNoSql.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestInitForCosmosDBNoSql.verified.txt
index 961c8022ef..b5e7a12df7 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestInitForCosmosDBNoSql.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestInitForCosmosDBNoSql.verified.txt
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: false,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestUpdatingStoredProcedureWithRestMethods.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestUpdatingStoredProcedureWithRestMethods.verified.txt
index 4a26b4f4fb..6bc55c3fbf 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestUpdatingStoredProcedureWithRestMethods.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestUpdatingStoredProcedureWithRestMethods.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestUpdatingStoredProcedureWithRestMethodsAndGraphQLOperations.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestUpdatingStoredProcedureWithRestMethodsAndGraphQLOperations.verified.txt
index 8f9e1e92f6..41d42cf567 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestUpdatingStoredProcedureWithRestMethodsAndGraphQLOperations.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/EndToEndTests.TestUpdatingStoredProcedureWithRestMethodsAndGraphQLOperations.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.CosmosDbNoSqlDatabase.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.CosmosDbNoSqlDatabase.verified.txt
index cdb93dcb6f..9f6dc9f167 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.CosmosDbNoSqlDatabase.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.CosmosDbNoSqlDatabase.verified.txt
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: false,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.CosmosDbPostgreSqlDatabase.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.CosmosDbPostgreSqlDatabase.verified.txt
index d8429e91dc..1e2ca81028 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.CosmosDbPostgreSqlDatabase.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.CosmosDbPostgreSqlDatabase.verified.txt
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-endpoint,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_171ea8114ff71814.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_171ea8114ff71814.verified.txt
index 397d6000a7..db4230bde2 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_171ea8114ff71814.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_171ea8114ff71814.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_2df7a1794712f154.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_2df7a1794712f154.verified.txt
index af581f7a1f..205da4881e 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_2df7a1794712f154.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_2df7a1794712f154.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_59fe1a10aa78899d.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_59fe1a10aa78899d.verified.txt
index f87d986a88..e71ad97c70 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_59fe1a10aa78899d.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_59fe1a10aa78899d.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_b95b637ea87f16a7.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_b95b637ea87f16a7.verified.txt
index 301f4ada85..ce4415b096 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_b95b637ea87f16a7.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_b95b637ea87f16a7.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_daacbd948b7ef72f.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_daacbd948b7ef72f.verified.txt
index 59a34121a0..9e68d614c2 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_daacbd948b7ef72f.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.EnsureCorrectConfigGenerationWithDifferentAuthenticationProviders_daacbd948b7ef72f.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.GraphQLPathWithoutStartingSlashWillHaveItAdded.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.GraphQLPathWithoutStartingSlashWillHaveItAdded.verified.txt
index c85dc0d349..d0bd5b0991 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.GraphQLPathWithoutStartingSlashWillHaveItAdded.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.GraphQLPathWithoutStartingSlashWillHaveItAdded.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.MsSQLDatabase.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.MsSQLDatabase.verified.txt
index 7bee761b96..1e4dbead8c 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.MsSQLDatabase.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.MsSQLDatabase.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.RestPathWithoutStartingSlashWillHaveItAdded.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.RestPathWithoutStartingSlashWillHaveItAdded.verified.txt
index 86b4a31499..fad37e0a84 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.RestPathWithoutStartingSlashWillHaveItAdded.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.RestPathWithoutStartingSlashWillHaveItAdded.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /abc,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.TestInitializingConfigWithoutConnectionString.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.TestInitializingConfigWithoutConnectionString.verified.txt
index d6a21f524c..32f3252056 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.TestInitializingConfigWithoutConnectionString.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.TestInitializingConfigWithoutConnectionString.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.TestSpecialCharactersInConnectionString.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.TestSpecialCharactersInConnectionString.verified.txt
index 301f4ada85..ce4415b096 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.TestSpecialCharactersInConnectionString.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.TestSpecialCharactersInConnectionString.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_0546bef37027a950.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_0546bef37027a950.verified.txt
index 7770641b1a..d61987e179 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_0546bef37027a950.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_0546bef37027a950.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_0ac567dd32a2e8f5.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_0ac567dd32a2e8f5.verified.txt
index 7bee761b96..1e4dbead8c 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_0ac567dd32a2e8f5.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_0ac567dd32a2e8f5.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_0c06949221514e77.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_0c06949221514e77.verified.txt
index 0a7098ae32..36589b4d17 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_0c06949221514e77.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_0c06949221514e77.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_18667ab7db033e9d.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_18667ab7db033e9d.verified.txt
index a93629a454..8ee826fe7f 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_18667ab7db033e9d.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_18667ab7db033e9d.verified.txt
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_2f42f44c328eb020.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_2f42f44c328eb020.verified.txt
index 7770641b1a..d61987e179 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_2f42f44c328eb020.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_2f42f44c328eb020.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_3243d3f3441fdcc1.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_3243d3f3441fdcc1.verified.txt
index a93629a454..8ee826fe7f 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_3243d3f3441fdcc1.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_3243d3f3441fdcc1.verified.txt
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_53350b8b47df2112.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_53350b8b47df2112.verified.txt
index ac69456340..962074b1f1 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_53350b8b47df2112.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_53350b8b47df2112.verified.txt
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_6584e0ec46b8a11d.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_6584e0ec46b8a11d.verified.txt
index 3232f0d03e..2ad66a46f4 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_6584e0ec46b8a11d.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_6584e0ec46b8a11d.verified.txt
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: false,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_81cc88db3d4eecfb.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_81cc88db3d4eecfb.verified.txt
index d840a3121d..c14e3db612 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_81cc88db3d4eecfb.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_81cc88db3d4eecfb.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_8ea187616dbb5577.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_8ea187616dbb5577.verified.txt
index 6d021464aa..d3f01fb62e 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_8ea187616dbb5577.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_8ea187616dbb5577.verified.txt
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_905845c29560a3ef.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_905845c29560a3ef.verified.txt
index 7770641b1a..d61987e179 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_905845c29560a3ef.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_905845c29560a3ef.verified.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_b2fd24fab5b80917.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_b2fd24fab5b80917.verified.txt
index 3232f0d03e..2ad66a46f4 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_b2fd24fab5b80917.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_b2fd24fab5b80917.verified.txt
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: false,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_bd7cd088755287c9.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_bd7cd088755287c9.verified.txt
index 3232f0d03e..2ad66a46f4 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_bd7cd088755287c9.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_bd7cd088755287c9.verified.txt
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: false,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_d2eccba2f836b380.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_d2eccba2f836b380.verified.txt
index ac69456340..962074b1f1 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_d2eccba2f836b380.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_d2eccba2f836b380.verified.txt
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_d463eed7fe5e4bbe.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_d463eed7fe5e4bbe.verified.txt
index 6d021464aa..d3f01fb62e 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_d463eed7fe5e4bbe.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_d463eed7fe5e4bbe.verified.txt
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_d5520dd5c33f7b8d.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_d5520dd5c33f7b8d.verified.txt
index ac69456340..962074b1f1 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_d5520dd5c33f7b8d.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_d5520dd5c33f7b8d.verified.txt
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_eab4a6010e602b59.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_eab4a6010e602b59.verified.txt
index a93629a454..8ee826fe7f 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_eab4a6010e602b59.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_eab4a6010e602b59.verified.txt
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_ecaa688829b4030e.verified.txt b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_ecaa688829b4030e.verified.txt
index 6d021464aa..d3f01fb62e 100644
--- a/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_ecaa688829b4030e.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Cli.Tests/Snapshots/InitTests.VerifyCorrectConfigGenerationWithMultipleMutationOptions_ecaa688829b4030e.verified.txt
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: true,
       Path: /rest-api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,
diff --git a/src/Cli/Commands/InitOptions.cs b/src/Cli/Commands/InitOptions.cs
index 008d9af87c..5c52133ee4 100644
--- a/src/Cli/Commands/InitOptions.cs
+++ b/src/Cli/Commands/InitOptions.cs
@@ -135,9 +135,8 @@ public InitOptions(
         [Option("mcp.enabled", Required = false, HelpText = "(Default: true) Enables MCP endpoint for all entities. Supported values: true, false.")]
         public CliBool McpEnabled { get; }
 
-        // Since the rest.request-body-strict option does not have a default value, it is required to specify a value for this option if it is
-        // included in the init command.
-        [Option("rest.request-body-strict", Required = false, HelpText = "(Default: true) Allow extraneous fields in the request body for REST.")]
+        // When true, DAB rejects extraneous/unmapped fields in the REST request body (strict mode). When false, extraneous fields are allowed and ignored.
+        [Option("rest.request-body-strict", Required = false, HelpText = "(Default: false) When true, rejects extraneous/unmapped fields in the REST request body. When false, allows and ignores them.")]
         public CliBool RestRequestBodyStrict { get; }
 
         [Option("graphql.multiple-create.enabled", Required = false, HelpText = "(Default: false) Enables multiple create operation for GraphQL. Supported values: true, false.")]
diff --git a/src/Cli/ConfigGenerator.cs b/src/Cli/ConfigGenerator.cs
index 64e0441cec..89d9c3cf13 100644
--- a/src/Cli/ConfigGenerator.cs
+++ b/src/Cli/ConfigGenerator.cs
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ public static bool TryCreateRuntimeConfig(InitOptions options, FileSystemRuntime
                 Schema: dabSchemaLink,
                 DataSource: dataSource,
                 Runtime: new(
-                    Rest: new(restEnabled, restPath ?? RestRuntimeOptions.DEFAULT_PATH, options.RestRequestBodyStrict is CliBool.False ? false : true),
+                    Rest: new(restEnabled, restPath ?? RestRuntimeOptions.DEFAULT_PATH, options.RestRequestBodyStrict is CliBool.True ? true : false),
                     GraphQL: new(Enabled: graphQLEnabled, Path: graphQLPath, MultipleMutationOptions: multipleMutationOptions),
                     Mcp: new(
                         Enabled: mcpEnabled,
diff --git a/src/Config/ObjectModel/RestRuntimeOptions.cs b/src/Config/ObjectModel/RestRuntimeOptions.cs
index 75ac20d610..ef15c39099 100644
--- a/src/Config/ObjectModel/RestRuntimeOptions.cs
+++ b/src/Config/ObjectModel/RestRuntimeOptions.cs
@@ -9,9 +9,10 @@ namespace Azure.DataApiBuilder.Config.ObjectModel;
 /// <param name="Enabled">If the REST APIs are enabled.</param>
 /// <param name="Path">The URL prefix path at which endpoints
 /// for all entities will be exposed.</param>
-/// <param name="RequestBodyStrict">Boolean property indicating whether extraneous fields are allowed in request body.
-/// The default value is true - meaning we don't allow extraneous fields by default in the rest request body.
-/// Changing the default value is a breaking change.</param>
+/// <param name="RequestBodyStrict">When true, extraneous/unmapped fields in the REST request body are rejected.
+/// When false, extraneous fields are allowed and ignored.
+/// The record default (true) preserves backward compatibility for existing configs that omit this property.
+/// When dab init generates a new config, request-body-strict is set to false to allow extraneous fields by default.</param>
 public record RestRuntimeOptions(bool Enabled = true, string Path = RestRuntimeOptions.DEFAULT_PATH, bool RequestBodyStrict = true)
 {
     public const string DEFAULT_PATH = "/api";
diff --git a/src/Service.Tests/Snapshots/ConfigurationTests.TestReadingRuntimeConfigForCosmos.verified.txt b/src/Service.Tests/Snapshots/ConfigurationTests.TestReadingRuntimeConfigForCosmos.verified.txt
index c229da4ce6..09c2586351 100644
--- a/src/Service.Tests/Snapshots/ConfigurationTests.TestReadingRuntimeConfigForCosmos.verified.txt
+++ b/src/Service.Tests/Snapshots/ConfigurationTests.TestReadingRuntimeConfigForCosmos.verified.txt
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     Rest: {
       Enabled: false,
       Path: /api,
-      RequestBodyStrict: true
+      RequestBodyStrict: false
     },
     GraphQL: {
       Enabled: true,