diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 306289ec..37e30ec4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,9 @@ name: ci
 
 on:
   push:
-    branches: [main]
+    # Integration branch + release branch. PRs already run via pull_request
+    # (any base); this list is only for post-merge push runs.
+    branches: [dev, main]
   pull_request:
 
 # a force-push while CI is mid-run should cancel the stale run, not queue
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 7495d123..b323a133 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ name: Release
 #   - To force a specific version, either:
 #       * run this workflow manually (Actions tab) and type it into "version", or
 #       * put "[release X.Y.Z]" anywhere in the commit message.
+#
+# Branch model: day-to-day work merges to `dev`. Releases stay on `main` only
+# so promoting `dev` -> `main` is the ship gate that cuts a build.
 
 on:
   push: