diff --git a/.github/workflows/prepare-release.yml b/.github/workflows/prepare-release.yml
index 2289bad1..e304fac0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/prepare-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/prepare-release.yml
@@ -29,10 +29,23 @@ jobs:
       should_release: ${{ steps.check.outputs.should_release }}
       new_version: ${{ steps.check.outputs.new_version }}
     steps:
+      # Fail fast with clear error if PAT_TOKEN is not configured
+      - name: Validate PAT_TOKEN is configured
+        run: |
+          if [ -z "${{ secrets.PAT_TOKEN }}" ]; then
+            echo "::error::PAT_TOKEN secret is not configured."
+            echo "::error::This secret is required for automatic release triggering."
+            echo "::error::See https://github.com/AndyMik90/Auto-Claude/pull/1043 for setup instructions."
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+      # IMPORTANT: Use PAT_TOKEN instead of GITHUB_TOKEN
+      # When GITHUB_TOKEN pushes a tag, it does NOT trigger other workflows (GitHub security feature)
+      # PAT_TOKEN allows the tag push to trigger release.yml automatically
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0
-          token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          token: ${{ secrets.PAT_TOKEN }}
 
       - name: Get package version
         id: package
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 59f1be14..9afdb20a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ on:
       dry_run:
         description: 'Test build without creating release'
         required: false
-        default: true
+        default: false
         type: boolean
 
 jobs: