diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index d2ff45f..d4b9794 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -16,6 +16,11 @@ jobs:
         with:
           ref: main
           fetch-depth: 0
+          # Persist an admin credential so the automated version-bump push
+          # below satisfies the branch-protection ruleset's repo-admin bypass;
+          # the default GITHUB_TOKEN (github-actions[bot]) is not a bypass
+          # actor and would be rejected once PR enforcement is active. SK-2986.
+          token: ${{ secrets.PAT_ACTIONS }}
       - uses: actions/setup-node@v1
         with:
           node-version: 14.21.3