diff --git a/.github/workflows/bump-and-release.yml b/.github/workflows/bump-and-release.yml
index 56a7746..7a06473 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/bump-and-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/bump-and-release.yml
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0  # full history so tag checks are accurate
+          token: ${{ secrets.RELEASE_TOKEN }}
 
       - name: Validate semver format
         run: |