diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index bbb2a0a8..ae7913bb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ jobs:
   macos:
     name: macOS universal
     needs: version
-    runs-on: macos-15
+    runs-on: macos-release  # org larger runner (M2 Pro), release.yml@release only; capped by the actions_macos_xl budget
     environment: release
     env:
       LIGHTCRAFT_VERSION: ${{ needs.version.outputs.version }}