diff --git a/.github/workflows/codra-cli-release.yml b/.github/workflows/codra-cli-release.yml
index d1153ea..aae1ff1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/codra-cli-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/codra-cli-release.yml
@@ -7,35 +7,77 @@ on:
         description: Publish @codra/cli to npm (requires NPM_TOKEN secret)
         type: boolean
         default: false
+      include_darwin_x64:
+        description: Include Intel macOS darwin-x64 build (macos-13; can queue for a long time)
+        type: boolean
+        default: false
+      allow_partial_binaries:
+        description: Package only available artifacts. Dry runs (publish=false) allow partial by default; publish=true requires full set unless this is true
+        type: boolean
+        default: false
 
 jobs:
+  resolve-matrix:
+    name: Resolve release matrix
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      matrix: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.matrix }}
+      expected_platforms: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.expected_platforms }}
+      allow_partial: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.allow_partial }}
+      expect_all_pack: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.expect_all_pack }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Compute matrix and packaging policy
+        id: set-matrix
+        env:
+          INCLUDE_DARWIN_X64: ${{ inputs.include_darwin_x64 }}
+          PUBLISH: ${{ inputs.publish }}
+          ALLOW_PARTIAL_BINARIES: ${{ inputs.allow_partial_binaries }}
+        run: |
+          python3 <<'PY'
+          import json
+          import os
+
+          include_darwin_x64 = os.environ.get("INCLUDE_DARWIN_X64", "false").lower() == "true"
+          publish = os.environ.get("PUBLISH", "false").lower() == "true"
+          allow_partial_input = os.environ.get("ALLOW_PARTIAL_BINARIES", "false").lower() == "true"
+
+          matrix_include = [
+              {"target": "linux-x64", "os": "ubuntu-latest", "artifact": "codra-linux-x64", "bin_name": "codra"},
+              {"target": "linux-arm64", "os": "ubuntu-24.04-arm", "artifact": "codra-linux-arm64", "bin_name": "codra"},
+              {"target": "darwin-arm64", "os": "macos-14", "artifact": "codra-darwin-arm64", "bin_name": "codra"},
+              {"target": "win32-x64", "os": "windows-latest", "artifact": "codra-win32-x64.exe", "bin_name": "codra.exe"},
+          ]
+          if include_darwin_x64:
+              matrix_include.append(
+                  {
+                      "target": "darwin-x64",
+                      "os": "macos-13",
+                      "artifact": "codra-darwin-x64",
+                      "bin_name": "codra",
+                  }
+              )
+
+          platforms = [entry["target"] for entry in matrix_include]
+          # publish=false dry runs may package partial binaries; publish=true requires full set unless opted in
+          allow_partial = (not publish) or allow_partial_input
+          expect_all_pack = publish and (not allow_partial_input)
+
+          github_output = os.environ["GITHUB_OUTPUT"]
+          with open(github_output, "a", encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+              handle.write(f"matrix={json.dumps({'include': matrix_include})}\n")
+              handle.write(f"expected_platforms={','.join(platforms)}\n")
+              handle.write(f"allow_partial={'1' if allow_partial else '0'}\n")
+              handle.write(f"expect_all_pack={'1' if expect_all_pack else '0'}\n")
+          PY
+
   build-binaries:
     name: build ${{ matrix.target }}
+    needs: resolve-matrix
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
+    timeout-minutes: 45
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
-      matrix:
-        include:
-          - target: linux-x64
-            os: ubuntu-latest
-            artifact: codra-linux-x64
-            bin_name: codra
-          - target: linux-arm64
-            os: ubuntu-24.04-arm
-            artifact: codra-linux-arm64
-            bin_name: codra
-          - target: darwin-x64
-            os: macos-13
-            artifact: codra-darwin-x64
-            bin_name: codra
-          - target: darwin-arm64
-            os: macos-14
-            artifact: codra-darwin-arm64
-            bin_name: codra
-          - target: win32-x64
-            os: windows-latest
-            artifact: codra-win32-x64.exe
-            bin_name: codra.exe
+      matrix: ${{ fromJSON(needs.resolve-matrix.outputs.matrix) }}
 
     steps:
       - name: Check out repository
@@ -67,7 +109,7 @@ jobs:
 
   package-npm:
     name: Package @codra/cli npm tarball
-    needs: build-binaries
+    needs: [resolve-matrix, build-binaries]
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
@@ -91,6 +133,7 @@ jobs:
         env:
           CODRA_USE_ARTIFACTS: '1'
           CODRA_ARTIFACTS_DIR: ${{ github.workspace }}/packages/codra-npm-cli/artifacts
+          CODRA_ALLOW_PARTIAL_BINARIES: ${{ needs.resolve-matrix.outputs.allow_partial }}
         run: npm run build:from-artifacts
 
       - name: Test npm wrapper
@@ -100,7 +143,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Validate npm pack contents
         working-directory: packages/codra-npm-cli
         env:
-          CODRA_EXPECT_ALL_PLATFORMS: '1'
+          CODRA_EXPECT_PLATFORMS: ${{ needs.resolve-matrix.outputs.expect_all_pack == '1' && needs.resolve-matrix.outputs.expected_platforms || '' }}
         run: npm run pack:dry
 
       - name: Build npm tarball (no publish)
@@ -108,6 +151,7 @@ jobs:
         env:
           CODRA_USE_ARTIFACTS: '1'
           CODRA_ARTIFACTS_DIR: ${{ github.workspace }}/packages/codra-npm-cli/artifacts
+          CODRA_ALLOW_PARTIAL_BINARIES: ${{ needs.resolve-matrix.outputs.allow_partial }}
         run: npm pack
 
       - name: Upload npm tarball artifact
@@ -124,9 +168,14 @@ jobs:
           NODE_AUTH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
           CODRA_USE_ARTIFACTS: '1'
           CODRA_ARTIFACTS_DIR: ${{ github.workspace }}/packages/codra-npm-cli/artifacts
+          CODRA_ALLOW_PARTIAL_BINARIES: ${{ inputs.allow_partial_binaries == true && '1' || '' }}
+          CODRA_EXPECT_PLATFORMS: ${{ inputs.allow_partial_binaries != true && needs.resolve-matrix.outputs.expected_platforms || '' }}
         run: |
           if [ -z "$NODE_AUTH_TOKEN" ]; then
             echo "NPM_TOKEN secret is required when publish=true"
             exit 1
           fi
+          if [ "${{ inputs.allow_partial_binaries }}" != "true" ]; then
+            CODRA_ALLOW_PARTIAL_BINARIES=0 node scripts/build-platform-binaries.js
+          fi
           npm publish --access public
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d49db40..5e82dbc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ npm install -g @codra/cli   # coming soon
 codra run --task summarize-context --jsonl
 ```
 
-The [`@codra/cli`](packages/codra-npm-cli/) package is a thin Node wrapper that spawns the native `codra` binary built from `codra-cli`. Multi-platform npm distribution is in progress (linux/macOS/Windows targets); a manual [release workflow](.github/workflows/codra-cli-release.yml) packages all platform binaries before publish (see [packages/codra-npm-cli/README.md](packages/codra-npm-cli/README.md)).
+The [`@codra/cli`](packages/codra-npm-cli/) package is a thin Node wrapper that spawns the native `codra` binary built from `codra-cli`. Multi-platform npm distribution is in progress (linux/macOS/Windows targets); a manual [release workflow](.github/workflows/codra-cli-release.yml) packages platform binaries before publish. Intel macOS (`darwin-x64`) is optional in dry runs because `macos-13` runners can queue for a long time; npm publish stays guarded and off by default (see [packages/codra-npm-cli/README.md](packages/codra-npm-cli/README.md)).
 
 ## Roadmap
 
diff --git a/packages/codra-npm-cli/README.md b/packages/codra-npm-cli/README.md
index d4600fc..da97acf 100644
--- a/packages/codra-npm-cli/README.md
+++ b/packages/codra-npm-cli/README.md
@@ -60,16 +60,19 @@ npm run build:from-artifacts
 ```
 
 - Fails if any artifact is missing (default).
-- Set `CODRA_ALLOW_PARTIAL_BINARIES=1` to package only available artifacts (local testing).
+- Set `CODRA_ALLOW_PARTIAL_BINARIES=1` to package only available artifacts (local testing or CI dry runs).
 
 ### Manual GitHub Actions release
 
 Workflow: [`.github/workflows/codra-cli-release.yml`](../../.github/workflows/codra-cli-release.yml)
 
 - Trigger: **workflow_dispatch** only (not automatic on push).
-- Builds matrix: linux-x64, linux-arm64, darwin-x64, darwin-arm64, win32-x64.
-- Job `package-npm`: downloads artifacts, runs `build:from-artifacts`, `npm test`, `npm pack`, uploads tarball.
-- **npm publish is disabled by default.** Set workflow input `publish: true` and configure `NPM_TOKEN` secret to publish.
+- **Always builds:** linux-x64, linux-arm64, darwin-arm64, win32-x64.
+- **Optional:** darwin-x64 (Intel macOS) when `include_darwin_x64: true`. Off by default because `macos-13` runner availability can be slow and block the workflow.
+- Job `package-npm` runs after the selected matrix finishes (it does not wait for darwin-x64 when that input is false).
+- **Dry run (`publish: false`):** may package partial binaries (`CODRA_ALLOW_PARTIAL_BINARIES=1`) so tarball verification is not blocked by one scarce runner.
+- **Real publish (`publish: true`):** requires every platform in the selected matrix unless `allow_partial_binaries: true` is set explicitly. `NPM_TOKEN` secret is required; the publish step is skipped when `publish: false`.
+- Recommended dry-run dispatch: `publish=false`, `include_darwin_x64=false`.
 
 ## Local vs release packaging
 
@@ -86,11 +89,11 @@ When ready to publish (maintainers only):
 1. Run **Codra CLI release** workflow (or supply all artifacts locally).
 2. `npm login` (only if publishing manually).
 3. `npm test`
-4. `CODRA_EXPECT_ALL_PLATFORMS=1 npm run pack:dry`
-5. Verify tarball lists all five `bin/native/<platform>/` binaries.
+4. `CODRA_EXPECT_PLATFORMS=linux-x64,linux-arm64,darwin-arm64,win32-x64 npm run pack:dry` (add `darwin-x64` when Intel macOS is included).
+5. Verify tarball lists every required `bin/native/<platform>/` binary.
 6. Publish via workflow with `publish: true` **or** `npm publish --access public` (guarded).
 
-Do not publish until all target binaries are included unless intentionally shipping a preview.
+Do not publish until all required target binaries are included unless intentionally shipping a preview with `allow_partial_binaries: true`.
 
 ## Supported commands
 
diff --git a/packages/codra-npm-cli/scripts/pack-dry-run.js b/packages/codra-npm-cli/scripts/pack-dry-run.js
index 5ae4617..c3beee2 100644
--- a/packages/codra-npm-cli/scripts/pack-dry-run.js
+++ b/packages/codra-npm-cli/scripts/pack-dry-run.js
@@ -13,8 +13,26 @@ const EXPECTED_NATIVE = SUPPORTED_PLATFORM_KEYS.map((key) => {
   return `bin/native/${key}/${name}`;
 });
 
+function expectedNativePaths() {
+  if (process.env.CODRA_EXPECT_PLATFORMS) {
+    const keys = process.env.CODRA_EXPECT_PLATFORMS.split(',')
+      .map((key) => key.trim())
+      .filter(Boolean);
+    return keys.map((key) => {
+      const name = key.startsWith('win32') ? 'codra.exe' : 'codra';
+      return `bin/native/${key}/${name}`;
+    });
+  }
+
+  if (process.env.CODRA_EXPECT_ALL_PLATFORMS === '1') {
+    return EXPECTED_NATIVE;
+  }
+
+  return [];
+}
+
 function main() {
-  const expectAll = process.env.CODRA_EXPECT_ALL_PLATFORMS === '1';
+  const expectedNative = expectedNativePaths();
 
   const output = execSync('npm pack --dry-run 2>&1', {
     cwd: packageRoot,
@@ -23,7 +41,9 @@ function main() {
     shell: true,
     env: {
       ...process.env,
-      CODRA_USE_ARTIFACTS: process.env.CODRA_USE_ARTIFACTS || (expectAll ? '1' : process.env.CODRA_USE_ARTIFACTS),
+      CODRA_USE_ARTIFACTS:
+        process.env.CODRA_USE_ARTIFACTS ||
+        (expectedNative.length > 0 ? '1' : process.env.CODRA_USE_ARTIFACTS),
     },
   });
 
@@ -54,11 +74,9 @@ function main() {
     errors.push('no bin/native/<platform>-<arch>/ binary in pack (run npm run build first)');
   }
 
-  if (expectAll) {
-    for (const expected of EXPECTED_NATIVE) {
-      if (!fileLines.includes(expected)) {
-        errors.push(`missing release binary: ${expected}`);
-      }
+  for (const expected of expectedNative) {
+    if (!fileLines.includes(expected)) {
+      errors.push(`missing release binary: ${expected}`);
     }
   }