diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-cut.yml b/.github/workflows/release-cut.yml
index 909d24bd1..e572613e0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-cut.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-cut.yml
@@ -57,6 +57,11 @@ concurrency:
 
 jobs:
   cut:
+    # Why: this job bumps package.json and fast-forwards main. On a fork with
+    # Actions enabled, the scheduled cut would run against the fork's main and
+    # diverge it (version line) every slot, conflicting every PR back upstream.
+    # Gate to the canonical repo so the workflow no-ops on forks.
+    if: github.repository == 'stablyai/orca'
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     timeout-minutes: 15
     outputs: