diff --git a/.changeset/rapid-cycles-flow.md b/.changeset/rapid-cycles-flow.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8a5b255
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/rapid-cycles-flow.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"brand-shell": minor
+---
+
+Reduce release cycle time by skipping full CI verification on Changesets-generated release PRs and relying on a targeted pack+starter canary gate.
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 7c386f5..4a3ede2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ jobs:
   conventional-commits:
     name: Conventional Commits + Bump Policy
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    if: ${{ !startsWith(github.event.pull_request.title, 'chore(release):') }}
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
@@ -41,12 +42,11 @@ jobs:
       - conventional-commits
     uses: ./.github/workflows/verify.yml
     secrets: inherit
+    if: ${{ !startsWith(github.event.pull_request.title, 'chore(release):') }}
 
   pack-starter-canary:
     name: Pack + Starter Canary (release PRs)
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    needs:
-      - conventional-commits
     if: >-
       github.event_name == 'pull_request' &&
       startsWith(github.event.pull_request.title, 'chore(release):')
@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     needs:
       - conventional-commits
+    if: ${{ !startsWith(github.event.pull_request.title, 'chore(release):') }}
     outputs:
       storybook: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.storybook }}
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 12363d8..3f2177a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -7,15 +7,9 @@ on:
   workflow_dispatch:
 
 jobs:
-  verify:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/verify.yml
-    secrets: inherit
-
   release:
     name: Version & Publish
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    needs:
-      - verify
     permissions:
       contents: write
       pull-requests: write