diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 5db37ab0..ce8e57d0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ jobs:
   macos:
     name: macOS universal
     needs: version
-    runs-on: macos-release  # org larger runner (M2 Pro), release.yml@release only; capped by the actions_macos_xl budget
+    runs-on: macos-15-xlarge  # M2 Pro larger runner; use only in release.yml (actions_macos_xl budget caps spend)
     environment: release
     env:
       EFFECTCRAFT_VERSION: ${{ needs.version.outputs.version }}