diff --git a/.mokogitea/workflows/pr-check.yml b/.mokogitea/workflows/pr-check.yml
index 1652713..c13b15e 100644
--- a/.mokogitea/workflows/pr-check.yml
+++ b/.mokogitea/workflows/pr-check.yml
@@ -126,6 +126,8 @@ jobs:
   validate:
     name: Validate PR
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    # Skip on template repos (Template-*) — no real manifest/source/changelog to validate.
+    if: ${{ !startsWith(github.event.repository.name, 'Template-') }}
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
@@ -492,6 +494,9 @@ jobs:
     name: Build RC Package
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     needs: [branch-policy, validate]
+    # Run only when both gates succeeded; always() forces evaluation so a skipped
+    # validate (e.g. template repos) skips this job cleanly instead of hanging.
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.branch-policy.result == 'success' && needs.validate.result == 'success' }}
 
     steps:
       - name: Trigger RC pre-release