diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 2a2320bc..08fd6863 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -42,10 +42,9 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
         with:
           node-version: 22
-          registry-url: "https://registry.npmjs.org"
 
-      - name: Pin npm to stable version
-        run: npm install -g npm@10
+      - name: Configure npm auth
+        run: echo "//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}" > ~/.npmrc
 
       - name: Install dependencies
         run: bun install --frozen-lockfile
@@ -58,8 +57,6 @@ jobs:
       - name: Bump & publish core
         if: inputs.package == 'core' || inputs.package == 'both'
         working-directory: packages/core
-        env:
-          NODE_AUTH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
         run: |
           npm version ${{ inputs.bump }} --no-git-tag-version
           VERSION=$(node -p "require('./package.json').version")
@@ -78,8 +75,6 @@ jobs:
       - name: Bump & publish viewer
         if: inputs.package == 'viewer' || inputs.package == 'both'
         working-directory: packages/viewer
-        env:
-          NODE_AUTH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
         run: |
           npm version ${{ inputs.bump }} --no-git-tag-version
           VERSION=$(node -p "require('./package.json').version")