diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 8ca6340..7eb91de 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ jobs:
   release:
     name: Open release PR for ${{ inputs.package }}
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
-    environment: compact-npm-prod # Requires approval before opening the release PR
 
     permissions:
       contents: write       # create the release branch
diff --git a/RELEASING.md b/RELEASING.md
index 74d187f..062ee04 100644
--- a/RELEASING.md
+++ b/RELEASING.md
@@ -41,13 +41,14 @@ release notes agree.
    - **Prerelease** - Advance the current beta cycle (`0.4.0-beta.0` ->
      `0.4.0-beta.1`). From a stable version it behaves like prepatch.
 
-5. A maintainer must approve the release before it proceeds.
-6. Once approved, the CI will automatically:
+5. The CI will automatically:
    - Run tests.
    - Bump the version.
    - Open a release PR against the branch you ran from, and auto-merge it.
-   - Create a git tag.
-   - Publish the package to npm under the channel's dist-tag.
+6. Once the release PR merges, a maintainer must approve the publish. The CI
+   then:
+   - Creates a git tag.
+   - Publishes the package to npm under the channel's dist-tag.
 7. Once published, go to "Releases" and create a GitHub release using the
    generated tag. Mark beta tags as prereleases.