diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish.yml b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
index 835f6ae..51a7543 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ jobs:
           COMMIT_MSG=$(git log -1 --pretty=%s)
           echo "Commit message: $COMMIT_MSG"
 
-          # Match squash merges from release/* branches or release prepare commits
-          if echo "$COMMIT_MSG" | grep -qE "(^Merge pull request .* from .*/release/|^chore: prepare release)"; then
+          # Match: merge commits from release/*, squash merges (PR title "Release ..."), or release prepare commits
+          if echo "$COMMIT_MSG" | grep -qE "(^Merge pull request .* from .*/release/|^Release |^chore: prepare release)"; then
             echo "is-release=true" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
             echo "✅ Release commit detected — proceeding with publish"
           else
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-prepare.yml b/.github/workflows/release-prepare.yml
index 351c1ed..b5e6420 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-prepare.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-prepare.yml
@@ -134,8 +134,6 @@ jobs:
 
           - Bump versions: ${{ steps.bump.outputs.new_versions }}
           - Update CHANGELOG.md with release notes
-
-          [skip ci]
           EOF
           )"
           git push origin "$BRANCH_NAME"