diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index bc1edd3c..911fc6a1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -149,3 +149,22 @@ jobs:
               with:
                   token: ${{ secrets.QLTY_COVERAGE_TOKEN }}
                   files: lcov.info
+
+    # Single required status check for branch protection.
+    # Passes when all jobs pass OR when jobs are skipped (no Rust changes).
+    ci-pass:
+        name: CI
+        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        if: always()
+        needs: [quality, test, test-cross-platform, coverage]
+        steps:
+            - name: Check results
+              run: |
+                  results=("${{ needs.quality.result }}" "${{ needs.test.result }}" "${{ needs.test-cross-platform.result }}" "${{ needs.coverage.result }}")
+                  for result in "${results[@]}"; do
+                    if [[ "$result" != "success" && "$result" != "skipped" ]]; then
+                      echo "Job failed with result: $result"
+                      exit 1
+                    fi
+                  done
+                  echo "All jobs passed or were skipped"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-plz.yml b/.github/workflows/release-plz.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7a2a02b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-plz.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+name: release-plz
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [main]
+
+jobs:
+  release-plz-release:
+    name: Release-plz release
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+      id-token: write
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          # persist-credentials required for pushing signed tags via git CLI
+          persist-credentials: true
+      - uses: jdx/mise-action@6d1e696aa24c1aa1bcc1adea0212707c71ab78a8 # v3.6.1
+        with:
+          install: true
+      - name: Run release-plz
+        uses: release-plz/action@52440b50d383aa252927de395c8b2c1e0a9cf8e9 # v0.5
+        with:
+          command: release
+        env:
+          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+  release-plz-pr:
+    name: Release-plz PR
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+      pull-requests: write
+    concurrency:
+      group: release-plz-${{ github.ref }}
+      cancel-in-progress: false
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - uses: jdx/mise-action@6d1e696aa24c1aa1bcc1adea0212707c71ab78a8 # v3.6.1
+        with:
+          install: true
+      - name: Run release-plz
+        uses: release-plz/action@52440b50d383aa252927de395c8b2c1e0a9cf8e9 # v0.5
+        with:
+          command: release-pr
+        env:
+          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e0657783..b3e89c8f 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -17,37 +17,24 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 - Evaluation enhancements with confidence, MIME, tags, metadata ([#29](https://github.com/EvilBit-Labs/libmagic-rs/pull/29))
 - Strength calculation & documentation improvements ([#21](https://github.com/EvilBit-Labs/libmagic-rs/pull/21)) ([#30](https://github.com/EvilBit-Labs/libmagic-rs/pull/30))
 
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **ci**: Enable persist-credentials for signed tag pushing
+- **ci**: Pin GitHub Actions to commit SHAs for supply chain security
+
+### Refactor
+
+- **ci**: Use mise-action instead of dtolnay/rust-toolchain
+
 ### Documentation
 
 - Comprehensive mdbook rewrite, rustdoc fixes, and test stability ([#33](https://github.com/EvilBit-Labs/libmagic-rs/pull/33))
-- **agents**: Update AGENTS.md to reflect implemented features and future plans
-- **agents**: Fix inaccurate feature claims in AGENTS.md
-- **readme**: Update README.md with project badges for visibility
-- Improve SECURITY.md with scope, safe harbor, and responsible disclosure
-- Add PGP key for encrypted vulnerability reporting
-- Use support@evilbitlabs.io for security contact to match PGP key
-- Add code review requirements to AGENTS.md and CONTRIBUTING.md
-- Add quick reference and OSSF quality standards to CLAUDE.md
-- Add DCO requirement to CONTRIBUTING.md
-- Add project governance model and update development guide
-- Update roadmap to match milestones and add non-goals
-- Add release verification guide for signed artifacts
-- Add security assurance case for OSSF gold criteria
-- **readme**: Add OpenSSF Best Practices badge
-- Move OSSF standards from CLAUDE.md to AGENTS.md
-- Extract roadmap into ROADMAP.md to keep README concise
-- Add project-level Claude Code skills for Rust development
+- Comprehensive documentation, security, and CI hardening ([#58](https://github.com/EvilBit-Labs/libmagic-rs/pull/58))
 
 ### Miscellaneous Tasks
 
 - **ci**: Add GitHub workflows for auditing, security, and documentation
 - Add Contributor Covenant Code of Conduct ([#2](https://github.com/EvilBit-Labs/libmagic-rs/pull/2))
-- Pin all GitHub Actions to SHA hashes for supply chain security
-- Revert SHA pins in release.yml (managed by cargo-dist)
-- Add git-cliff changelog generation and simplify justfile
-- Commit Cargo.lock for reproducible binary builds
-- Commit mise.lock for reproducible dev tool versions
-- Add SPDX license and copyright headers to all source files
-- Add Claude Code hook to enforce DCO sign-off on commits
-- Add hookify rules for Rust code safety warnings
+- Add release-plz for crates.io publishing with trusted publishing
+- Add merge gate job for branch protection
 <!-- generated by git-cliff -->
diff --git a/docs/src/release-process.md b/docs/src/release-process.md
index 64bd47e5..06844944 100644
--- a/docs/src/release-process.md
+++ b/docs/src/release-process.md
@@ -297,74 +297,41 @@ git push origin --delete hotfix/v0.2.1
 
 ## Release Automation
 
-### GitHub Actions Workflow
-
-```yaml
-# .github/workflows/release.yml
-name: Release
-
-on:
-  push:
-    tags:
-      - v*
-
-jobs:
-  release:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
-
-      - name: Setup Rust
-        uses: actions-rs/toolchain@v1
-        with:
-          toolchain: stable
-
-      - name: Run tests
-        run: cargo test --all-features
-
-      - name: Build release
-        run: cargo build --release
-
-      - name: Create release
-        uses: actions/create-release@v1
-        env:
-          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-        with:
-          tag_name: ${{ github.ref }}
-          release_name: Release ${{ github.ref }}
-          draft: false
-          prerelease: false
-```
+Releases are automated by two complementary tools:
 
-### Automated Checks
+- **release-plz**: Manages crates.io publishing, version bumping, changelog generation, and git tagging
+- **cargo-dist**: Builds cross-platform binaries, Homebrew formulas, SBOM, and GitHub Releases
 
-```bash
-#!/bin/bash
-# scripts/pre_release_check.sh
+### How It Works
 
-set -e
+1. Every push to `main` triggers release-plz, which opens (or updates) a **release PR** with:
+   - Version bump in `Cargo.toml`
+   - Updated `CHANGELOG.md` (generated via git-cliff)
+   - Semantic versioning based on conventional commits
 
-echo "Running pre-release checks..."
+2. When the release PR is **merged**, release-plz:
+   - Publishes the crate to **crates.io**
+   - Creates a **git tag** (e.g., `v0.2.0`)
 
-# Code quality
-cargo fmt -- --check
-cargo clippy -- -D warnings
+3. The git tag triggers **cargo-dist**, which:
+   - Builds binaries for all target platforms
+   - Generates SLSA attestations and SBOM
+   - Publishes the Homebrew formula
+   - Creates the **GitHub Release** with all artifacts
 
-# Tests
-cargo test --all-features
-cargo test --doc
+### Configuration Files
 
-# Security
-cargo audit
-
-# Performance
-cargo bench --bench evaluation_bench
+| File | Purpose |
+|------|---------|
+| `release-plz.toml` | release-plz configuration (crates.io, tags, changelog) |
+| `dist-workspace.toml` | cargo-dist configuration (binaries, Homebrew, SBOM) |
+| `cliff.toml` | git-cliff changelog template (shared by both tools) |
 
-# Documentation
-cargo doc --document-private-items
+### Authentication
 
-echo "All pre-release checks passed!"
-```
+- **crates.io**: Uses [trusted publishing](https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/reference/registry-authentication.html#oidc-token-exchange) (OIDC) -- no token secret needed. Requires configuring the trusted publisher on crates.io and `id-token: write` permission in the workflow. Note: the first publish of a new crate must be done manually with `cargo publish`.
+- **Homebrew tap**: Requires a `HOMEBREW_TAP_TOKEN` secret with write access to the tap repository.
+- **GitHub Releases**: Uses the automatic `GITHUB_TOKEN`.
 
 ## Release Schedule
 
diff --git a/mise.lock b/mise.lock
index 83ae4cb2..aa249306 100644
--- a/mise.lock
+++ b/mise.lock
@@ -86,6 +86,10 @@ backend = "cargo:mdbook-tabs"
 version = "0.15.3"
 backend = "cargo:mdbook-toc"
 
+[[tools."cargo:release-plz"]]
+version = "0.3.155"
+backend = "cargo:release-plz"
+
 [[tools.just]]
 version = "1.46.0"
 backend = "aqua:casey/just"
diff --git a/mise.toml b/mise.toml
index 603a0db1..6f741445 100644
--- a/mise.toml
+++ b/mise.toml
@@ -30,3 +30,4 @@ pre-commit                  = "latest"
 "cargo:cargo-machete"       = "0.9.1"
 "cargo:git-cliff"           = "2.12.0"
 scorecard                   = "5.4.0"
+"cargo:release-plz" = "0.3.155"
diff --git a/release-plz.toml b/release-plz.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..183b4109
--- /dev/null
+++ b/release-plz.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+[workspace]
+# release-plz handles crates.io publish + git tags
+# cargo-dist handles GitHub Releases (triggered by the tag)
+git_release_enable = false
+git_tag_enable = true
+publish = true
+semver_check = true
+changelog_config = "cliff.toml"