Autos defoliation

I never started defoliating until preflower sites showed up, there's a good few you tube videos but I never had the guts to go far enough. They will stretch out very soon and allow you easier access to the bottom where you need to most work

Defoil is usually Net negative, specially since it's autoflower. Keep up with that nice LST spreading the canopy and you'll do juts fine mate.

I would follow NonameGrowDude's advice.

I would not recommend a defoliation with auto flowers, you will most likely do more harm then good. The ones that are a bit slower will probably catch up and if not just elevate the pot on something so you keep the canopy level. If you want to you can tuck some leaves under but in general it does not do much. Good luck