diff --git a/.mokogitea/workflows/ci-generic.yml b/.mokogitea/workflows/ci-generic.yml
index 3a942ad..72650d2 100644
--- a/.mokogitea/workflows/ci-generic.yml
+++ b/.mokogitea/workflows/ci-generic.yml
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ jobs:
   lint:
     name: Lint & Validate
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    # Skip on template repos (Template-*) — they hold placeholder scaffolding, not buildable source.
+    if: ${{ !startsWith(github.event.repository.name, 'Template-') }}
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
@@ -130,6 +132,9 @@ jobs:
     name: Tests
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     needs: lint
+    # Run only when lint succeeded; always() forces evaluation so a skipped
+    # lint (e.g. template repos) skips this job cleanly instead of hanging.
+    if: ${{ always() && needs.lint.result == 'success' }}
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout