diff --git a/.github/workflows/star-history.yml b/.github/workflows/star-history.yml
index ec484b05..e67a0517 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/star-history.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/star-history.yml
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
         uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        with:
+          # RELEASE_PAT can push to the protected main branch; the default
+          # GITHUB_TOKEN is rejected by the branch-protection hook (GH006).
+          token: ${{ secrets.RELEASE_PAT }}
 
       - name: Fetch fresh star-history SVG
         run: |