diff --git a/.github/actions/issue-auto-implement/README.md b/.github/actions/issue-auto-implement/README.md
index b118034..755569b 100644
--- a/.github/actions/issue-auto-implement/README.md
+++ b/.github/actions/issue-auto-implement/README.md
@@ -5,15 +5,19 @@ Reusable composite action for label-triggered issue automation: assess (request
 ## How to use (quick start)
 
 1. **Workflow** — Ensure `.github/workflows/issue-auto-implement.yml` exists and calls this action (see the workflow in this repo for the exact `on:` and `uses:`). If implement might change workflow files, see [CI/CD](#cicd-what-you-need-to-run-this-workflow) for push permission requirements.
-2. **Secrets and variables** — In the repo: Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions. Add secret **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`** (Anthropic API key). For who can trigger, set **one** of: **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_MIN_PERMISSION`** (e.g. `push` or `maintain`; works with default token) or **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_TEAM`** (e.g. `org/team`; token needs `read:org`).
+2. **Secrets and variables** — In the repo: Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions. Add secret **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`** (Anthropic API key). Optionally add **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_GITHUB_PUSH_TOKEN`** (a PAT with `repo` scope) so CI checks run on bot-created PRs (see [CI checks on bot-created PRs](#ci-checks-on-bot-created-prs)). For who can trigger, set **one** of: **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_MIN_PERMISSION`** (e.g. `push` or `maintain`; works with default token) or **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_TEAM`** (e.g. `org/team`; token needs `read:org`).
 3. **Trigger label** — Create the labels once so you can add them to issues. Either run the **Issue auto-implement setup** workflow (Actions → Issue auto-implement setup → Run workflow), which creates `automation/auto-implement`, `automation/needs-info`, and `automation/pr-created`; or create the trigger label **`automation/auto-implement`** manually in the repo (Settings or Issues → Labels). The main action also ensures these labels exist when it runs, but the trigger label must exist before you can add it to an issue.
 4. **Trigger** — On an issue, add the label `automation/auto-implement`. The workflow runs: it assesses the issue (request more info vs implement), and if implement, runs the Claude Code CLI and opens a PR. You can also comment on the issue (to add context and re-trigger) or review the PR (to iterate).
 
-## CI and approval for bot-created PRs
+## CI checks on bot-created PRs
 
-PRs created by the action use `GITHUB_TOKEN`, so GitHub does not trigger `pull_request` workflows on them. This action therefore triggers the **test** workflow via `workflow_dispatch` on the new branch after creating a PR, so CI checks appear. The **test** workflow must include `workflow_dispatch:` in its `on:` block.
+By default, PRs created with `GITHUB_TOKEN` do not trigger `pull_request` workflows (a GitHub restriction to prevent recursive runs). To get CI checks on bot-created PRs, set the optional **`push_token`** input to a PAT or GitHub App installation token. The action uses this token for `git push` and PR creation, so GitHub sees events from a non-Actions identity and triggers all `pull_request` workflows normally. Accepted token types:
 
-To require a human to approve workflow runs before they execute (e.g. for security), set **Settings → Actions → General → Approval for running fork pull request workflows from contributors** to **Require approval for all external contributors**. Then each bot-created PR will show workflow(s) awaiting approval until someone with write access approves.
+- **Personal Access Token (classic)** — `repo` scope
+- **Personal Access Token (fine-grained)** — `contents: write` + `pull-requests: write` permissions
+- **GitHub App installation token** — same permissions (e.g. via `actions/create-github-app-token`)
+
+If `push_token` is not set, the action falls back to `github_token` and CI workflows will not trigger automatically on bot PRs.
 
 ## Extra workflow runs when the action adds labels
 
@@ -36,6 +40,7 @@ Used by `.github/workflows/issue-auto-implement.yml`. Requires `anthropic_api_ke
 | `max_implement_retries` | No | 3 | Max retries on verify failure (cap 5) |
 | `github_allowed_trigger_team` | No* | - | Team slug (e.g. org/team); only members can trigger. Repo variable `AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_TEAM`. Ignored if min_permission is set. Token needs read:org. |
 | `github_allowed_trigger_min_permission` | No* | - | Require actor has at least this repo permission: triage, push, maintain, or admin. Repo variable `AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_MIN_PERMISSION`. Works with default GITHUB_TOKEN. |
+| `push_token` | No | - | PAT or GitHub App installation token for git push and PR creation. When set, GitHub triggers `pull_request` workflows on bot PRs. Falls back to `github_token`. |
 | `post_pr_comment` | No | false | When true, post a comment on the issue linking to the new PR when one is created. |
 
 *One of `github_allowed_trigger_min_permission` or `github_allowed_trigger_team` must be set (via repo variables).
@@ -47,7 +52,7 @@ Secrets and variables use an action-specific prefix (e.g. `AUTO_IMPLEMENT_`) so
 To use this action in GitHub Actions:
 
 1. **Workflow** — Call the action from a workflow (e.g. `.github/workflows/issue-auto-implement.yml`) on `issues.labeled`, `issue_comment`, `pull_request_review`, and/or `pull_request_review_comment`. The job needs `contents: write`, `issues: write`, `pull-requests: write`. If the implement step may edit files under `.github/workflows/`, GitHub may reject the push; the workflow syntax has no `workflows` permission key. Enable **Settings → Actions → General → Allow GitHub Actions to create and approve pull requests** (or use a PAT with appropriate scope) so the run can push workflow file changes.
-2. **Secrets** — Add **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`** (repo secret). Used for the assess step and passed to the Claude Code CLI in the implement step.
+2. **Secrets** — Add **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`** (repo secret). Used for the assess step and passed to the Claude Code CLI in the implement step. Optionally add **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_GITHUB_PUSH_TOKEN`** (a PAT with `repo` scope, or fine-grained with `contents: write` + `pull-requests: write`) so CI checks run on bot-created PRs.
 3. **Variables (trigger gate)** — Set **one** of:
    - **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_MIN_PERMISSION`** (repo variable): `triage`, `push`, `maintain`, or `admin`. Only users with at least this repo permission can trigger. Works with default `GITHUB_TOKEN`.
    - **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_TEAM`** (repo variable): org/team slug (e.g. `org/team-name`). Only team members can trigger. Token must have `read:org` (use a PAT if `GITHUB_TOKEN` lacks it).
@@ -59,6 +64,7 @@ No other setup is required. Optionally set `verify_commands` (default `go test .
 ## Secrets and variables (repo setup)
 
 - **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`** (repo secret) — Claude API key for the assess and implement steps. Add under Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions.
+- **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_GITHUB_PUSH_TOKEN`** (repo secret, optional) — PAT or GitHub App installation token for git push and PR creation. When set, GitHub triggers `pull_request` workflows on bot PRs so CI checks appear. See [CI checks on bot-created PRs](#ci-checks-on-bot-created-prs) for accepted token types.
 - **Trigger gate (set one):**
   - **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_MIN_PERMISSION`** (repo variable) — Require the triggering user to have at least this repo permission: `triage`, `push`, `maintain`, or `admin`. Works with the default `GITHUB_TOKEN`. Add under Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions → Variables.
   - **`AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_TEAM`** (repo variable) — GitHub Team slug (e.g. `org/team-name`) whose members may trigger. The first step checks `github.actor` against this team. The token needs `read:org`; if `GITHUB_TOKEN` lacks it, use a PAT and pass it as `github_token`.
diff --git a/.github/actions/issue-auto-implement/action.yml b/.github/actions/issue-auto-implement/action.yml
index 82559f5..e450d2a 100644
--- a/.github/actions/issue-auto-implement/action.yml
+++ b/.github/actions/issue-auto-implement/action.yml
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ inputs:
   github_allowed_trigger_min_permission:
     description: 'Alternative to team check: require actor has at least this repo permission (triage, push, maintain, admin). Works with default GITHUB_TOKEN. Set via repo variable AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_MIN_PERMISSION.'
     required: false
+  push_token:
+    description: 'Optional PAT or GitHub App token for git push and PR creation. When provided, push and PR-creation use this token so GitHub triggers pull_request workflows (GITHUB_TOKEN does not trigger them). Falls back to github_token.'
+    required: false
   post_pr_comment:
     description: 'When true, post a comment on the issue linking to the new PR when one is created'
     required: false
@@ -178,9 +181,13 @@ runs:
       env:
         ISSUE_NUMBER: ${{ steps.assess.outputs.issue_number }}
         GITHUB_ACTOR: ${{ github.actor }}
+        PUSH_TOKEN: ${{ inputs.push_token || inputs.github_token }}
+        REPO: ${{ github.repository }}
       run: |
         git config user.name "$GITHUB_ACTOR"
         git config user.email "$GITHUB_ACTOR@users.noreply.github.com"
+        # Use push_token for push operations so GitHub triggers pull_request workflows
+        git remote set-url origin "https://x-access-token:${PUSH_TOKEN}@github.com/${REPO}.git"
         BRANCH="auto-implement-issue-${ISSUE_NUMBER}"
         git fetch origin main
         if git show-ref --verify --quiet refs/remotes/origin/"$BRANCH"; then
@@ -294,18 +301,12 @@ runs:
           "https://api.github.com/repos/$REPO/issues/$PR_NUMBER/comments" \
           -d "$(jq -n --arg b "$BODY" '{body: $b}')"
         echo "Posted comment on PR #$PR_NUMBER"
-        # Trigger test workflow so checks appear on the updated PR
-        curl -s -X POST \
-          -H "Authorization: Bearer $GITHUB_TOKEN" \
-          -H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
-          "https://api.github.com/repos/$REPO/actions/workflows/test.yml/dispatches" \
-          -d "$(jq -n --arg ref "$HEAD_REF" '{ref: $ref}')"
-        echo "Triggered test workflow on ref $HEAD_REF"
     - name: Create PR
       if: steps.assess.outputs.action == 'implement' && steps.implement_verify_loop.outcome == 'success' && github.event_name != 'pull_request_review' && github.event_name != 'pull_request_review_comment' && !(github.event_name == 'issue_comment' && github.event.issue.pull_request)
       shell: bash
       env:
         GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ inputs.github_token }}
+        PUSH_TOKEN: ${{ inputs.push_token || inputs.github_token }}
         REPO: ${{ github.repository }}
         ISSUE_NUMBER: ${{ steps.assess.outputs.issue_number }}
         LABEL_PREFIX: ${{ inputs.label_prefix }}
@@ -317,8 +318,9 @@ runs:
         TITLE="${PR_TITLE:-Implement issue #${ISSUE_NUMBER}}"
         BODY="${PR_BODY:-Closes #${ISSUE_NUMBER}}"
         PAYLOAD=$(jq -n --arg t "$TITLE" --arg b "$BODY" --arg h "$BRANCH" '{title: $t, body: $b, head: $h, base: "main"}')
+        # Use push_token for PR creation so GitHub triggers pull_request workflows
         PR_JSON=$(curl -s -X POST \
-          -H "Authorization: Bearer $GITHUB_TOKEN" \
+          -H "Authorization: Bearer $PUSH_TOKEN" \
           -H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
           "https://api.github.com/repos/$REPO/pulls" \
           -d "$PAYLOAD")
@@ -341,10 +343,3 @@ runs:
             echo "Posted comment on issue #$ISSUE_NUMBER"
           fi
         fi
-        # Trigger test workflow on this branch so CI checks appear (PRs created by github-actions[bot] often don't trigger pull_request)
-        curl -s -X POST \
-          -H "Authorization: Bearer $GITHUB_TOKEN" \
-          -H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
-          "https://api.github.com/repos/$REPO/actions/workflows/test.yml/dispatches" \
-          -d "$(jq -n --arg ref "$BRANCH" '{ref: $ref}')"
-        echo "Triggered test workflow on ref $BRANCH"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/issue-auto-implement.yml b/.github/workflows/issue-auto-implement.yml
index 9cb4c65..348e203 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/issue-auto-implement.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/issue-auto-implement.yml
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ jobs:
       contents: write
       issues: write
       pull-requests: write
-      actions: write  # trigger test workflow on PR branch so checks appear (PRs created by bot may not trigger pull_request)
       # To allow push when implement touches .github/workflows/*: repo Settings → Actions → General →
       # "Allow GitHub Actions to create and approve pull requests" (or use a PAT with workflow scope). No workflows: key in workflow syntax.
       # read:org only needed if using team check (AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_TEAM)
@@ -40,6 +39,7 @@ jobs:
         with:
           anthropic_api_key: ${{ secrets.AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY }}
           github_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          push_token: ${{ secrets.AUTO_IMPLEMENT_GITHUB_PUSH_TOKEN }}
           github_allowed_trigger_min_permission: ${{ vars.AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_MIN_PERMISSION }}
           github_allowed_trigger_team: ${{ vars.AUTO_IMPLEMENT_ALLOWED_TRIGGER_TEAM }}
           # Skip acceptance tests in verify (they need HOOKDECK_CLI_TESTING_API_KEY); unit tests use -short