From fb553b9425527ec19fe38b1dc2f175ad0a7948da Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Cormier <dancormierall@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:53:02 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 01/12] ci: gate visual regression tests by path

---
 .github/workflows/main.yml | 47 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-----
 1 file changed, 41 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index f3af6eb1f7..7cb998e4e3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,26 @@ on:
     branches: [develop, beta, main]
 
 jobs:
+  visual-regression-changes:
+    name: Visual Regression Changes
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      should_run: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.visual == 'true' }}
+    steps:
+      - name: ⬇️ Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - name: Detect visual regression changes
+        id: filter
+        uses: dorny/paths-filter@v3
+        with:
+          filters: |
+            visual:
+              - 'packages/stacks-classic/**'
+              - '.github/workflows/**'
+              - 'package.json'
+              - 'package-lock.json'
+
   build-and-test:
     name: ${{ matrix.command_description }}
     uses: ./.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -34,10 +54,6 @@ jobs:
           command: npm run test:a11y -w packages/stacks-classic -- --config web-test-runner.config.ci.mjs
           needs_lfs: false
           needs_playwright: true
-        - command_description: Visual Regression Tests
-          command: npm run test:visual:ci -w packages/stacks-classic -- --config ./visual-runner/stacks-classic-runner-config/web-test-runner.config.ci.mjs
-          needs_lfs: true
-          needs_playwright: false # we are using playwright docker image to run visual tests
         - command_description: Unit Tests (stacks-svelte)
           command: npm run test -w packages/stacks-svelte
           needs_lfs: false
@@ -53,10 +69,29 @@ jobs:
       needs_lfs: ${{ matrix.needs_lfs }}
     secrets: inherit
 
+  visual-regression-tests:
+    name: Visual Regression Tests
+    needs: visual-regression-changes
+    if: needs.visual-regression-changes.outputs.should_run == 'true'
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/test.yml
+    with:
+      command: npm run test:visual:ci -w packages/stacks-classic -- --config ./visual-runner/stacks-classic-runner-config/web-test-runner.config.ci.mjs
+      command_description: Visual Regression Tests
+      needs_playwright: false # we are using playwright docker image to run visual tests
+      needs_lfs: true
+    secrets: inherit
+
   release:
     name: Release (latest or beta)
-    if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/develop' || github.ref == 'refs/heads/beta'
-    needs: [build-and-test]
+    if: >-
+      ${{
+        !cancelled() &&
+        (github.ref == 'refs/heads/develop' || github.ref == 'refs/heads/beta') &&
+        needs.build-and-test.result == 'success' &&
+        needs.visual-regression-changes.result == 'success' &&
+        (needs.visual-regression-tests.result == 'success' || needs.visual-regression-tests.result == 'skipped')
+      }}
+    needs: [build-and-test, visual-regression-changes, visual-regression-tests]
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
       published: ${{ steps.changesets.outputs.published }}

From 3e91c83bc911cfdd5213dc87a0384ed643b95df2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Cormier <dancormierall@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:01:56 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 02/12] ci: skip visual regression tests by path

---
 .github/workflows/main.yml | 51 ++++++++------------------------------
 .github/workflows/test.yml | 27 ++++++++++++++++++--
 2 files changed, 35 insertions(+), 43 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index 7cb998e4e3..fa2e358735 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -7,26 +7,6 @@ on:
     branches: [develop, beta, main]
 
 jobs:
-  visual-regression-changes:
-    name: Visual Regression Changes
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    outputs:
-      should_run: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.visual == 'true' }}
-    steps:
-      - name: ⬇️ Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@v5
-
-      - name: Detect visual regression changes
-        id: filter
-        uses: dorny/paths-filter@v3
-        with:
-          filters: |
-            visual:
-              - 'packages/stacks-classic/**'
-              - '.github/workflows/**'
-              - 'package.json'
-              - 'package-lock.json'
-
   build-and-test:
     name: ${{ matrix.command_description }}
     uses: ./.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -54,6 +34,13 @@ jobs:
           command: npm run test:a11y -w packages/stacks-classic -- --config web-test-runner.config.ci.mjs
           needs_lfs: false
           needs_playwright: true
+        - command_description: Visual Regression Tests
+          command: npm run test:visual:ci -w packages/stacks-classic -- --config ./visual-runner/stacks-classic-runner-config/web-test-runner.config.ci.mjs
+          needs_lfs: true
+          needs_playwright: false # we are using playwright docker image to run visual tests
+          changed_paths: |
+            run:
+              - 'packages/stacks-classic/**'
         - command_description: Unit Tests (stacks-svelte)
           command: npm run test -w packages/stacks-svelte
           needs_lfs: false
@@ -67,31 +54,13 @@ jobs:
       command_description: ${{ matrix.command_description }}
       needs_playwright: ${{ matrix.needs_playwright }}
       needs_lfs: ${{ matrix.needs_lfs }}
-    secrets: inherit
-
-  visual-regression-tests:
-    name: Visual Regression Tests
-    needs: visual-regression-changes
-    if: needs.visual-regression-changes.outputs.should_run == 'true'
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/test.yml
-    with:
-      command: npm run test:visual:ci -w packages/stacks-classic -- --config ./visual-runner/stacks-classic-runner-config/web-test-runner.config.ci.mjs
-      command_description: Visual Regression Tests
-      needs_playwright: false # we are using playwright docker image to run visual tests
-      needs_lfs: true
+      changed_paths: ${{ matrix.changed_paths || '' }}
     secrets: inherit
 
   release:
     name: Release (latest or beta)
-    if: >-
-      ${{
-        !cancelled() &&
-        (github.ref == 'refs/heads/develop' || github.ref == 'refs/heads/beta') &&
-        needs.build-and-test.result == 'success' &&
-        needs.visual-regression-changes.result == 'success' &&
-        (needs.visual-regression-tests.result == 'success' || needs.visual-regression-tests.result == 'skipped')
-      }}
-    needs: [build-and-test, visual-regression-changes, visual-regression-tests]
+    if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/develop' || github.ref == 'refs/heads/beta'
+    needs: [build-and-test]
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
       published: ${{ steps.changesets.outputs.published }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 726d81a4ec..7c9e2defd2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@ on:
         description: 'Whether or not to checkout with LFS'
         type: boolean
         default: false
+      changed_paths:
+        description: 'Optional paths-filter config; command runs only when these paths change'
+        type: string
+        default: ''
 
 jobs:
   build-and-test:
@@ -29,21 +33,39 @@ jobs:
       - name: ⬇️ Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
         with:
-          lfs: ${{ inputs.needs_lfs }}
+          lfs: ${{ inputs.needs_lfs && inputs.changed_paths == '' }}
+
+      - name: Detect relevant changes
+        id: changes
+        if: inputs.changed_paths != ''
+        uses: dorny/paths-filter@v3
+        with:
+          filters: ${{ inputs.changed_paths }}
+
+      - name: ⏭️ Skip ${{ inputs.command_description }}
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'false'
+        run: echo "No relevant files changed; skipping ${{ inputs.command_description }}."
+
+      - name: ⬇️ Pull LFS assets
+        if: inputs.needs_lfs == true && steps.changes.outputs.run != 'false'
+        run: git lfs pull
 
       - name: ⎔ Setup node
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run != 'false'
         uses: actions/setup-node@v4
         with:
           node-version: 'lts/*'
 
       - name: 🏗 Install Dependencies
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run != 'false'
         run: npm ci
 
       - name: 🏗 Install Playwright
-        if: inputs.needs_playwright == true
+        if: inputs.needs_playwright == true && steps.changes.outputs.run != 'false'
         run: npx playwright install --with-deps
 
       - name: 🔑 Setup SSH for private submodule
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run != 'false'
         run: |
           mkdir -p ~/.ssh
           echo -e "${SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY//_/\\n}" > ~/.ssh/id_rsa
@@ -52,6 +74,7 @@ jobs:
           SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY: ${{ secrets.SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY }}
 
       - name: ▶️ ${{ inputs.command_description }}
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run != 'false'
         run: ${{ inputs.command }}
         env:
           BETTER_AUTH_SECRET: ${{ secrets.AUTH_SECRET || 'ci-build-placeholder-secret' }}

From baa26bd443dda0096494524e6c17f00990645bab Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Cormier <dancormierall@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:06:43 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 03/12] ci: scope visual regression path checks

---
 .github/workflows/main.yml | 65 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++------
 .github/workflows/test.yml | 27 ++--------------
 2 files changed, 58 insertions(+), 34 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index fa2e358735..f7ed5e6c9e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -34,13 +34,6 @@ jobs:
           command: npm run test:a11y -w packages/stacks-classic -- --config web-test-runner.config.ci.mjs
           needs_lfs: false
           needs_playwright: true
-        - command_description: Visual Regression Tests
-          command: npm run test:visual:ci -w packages/stacks-classic -- --config ./visual-runner/stacks-classic-runner-config/web-test-runner.config.ci.mjs
-          needs_lfs: true
-          needs_playwright: false # we are using playwright docker image to run visual tests
-          changed_paths: |
-            run:
-              - 'packages/stacks-classic/**'
         - command_description: Unit Tests (stacks-svelte)
           command: npm run test -w packages/stacks-svelte
           needs_lfs: false
@@ -54,13 +47,67 @@ jobs:
       command_description: ${{ matrix.command_description }}
       needs_playwright: ${{ matrix.needs_playwright }}
       needs_lfs: ${{ matrix.needs_lfs }}
-      changed_paths: ${{ matrix.changed_paths || '' }}
     secrets: inherit
 
+  visual-regression-tests:
+    name: Visual Regression Tests
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: ⬇️ Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Detect relevant changes
+        id: changes
+        uses: dorny/paths-filter@v3
+        with:
+          filters: |
+            run:
+              - 'packages/stacks-classic/**'
+
+      - name: ⏭️ Skip Visual Regression Tests
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'false'
+        run: echo "No Stacks Classic files changed; skipping Visual Regression Tests."
+
+      - name: ⬇️ Pull LFS assets
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
+        run: git lfs pull
+
+      - name: ⎔ Setup node
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
+        uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: 'lts/*'
+
+      - name: 🏗 Install Dependencies
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
+        run: npm ci
+
+      - name: 🔑 Setup SSH for private submodule
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
+        run: |
+          mkdir -p ~/.ssh
+          echo -e "${SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY//_/\\n}" > ~/.ssh/id_rsa
+          chmod og-rwx ~/.ssh/id_rsa
+        env:
+          SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY: ${{ secrets.SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY }}
+
+      - name: ▶️ Visual Regression Tests
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
+        run: npm run test:visual:ci -w packages/stacks-classic -- --config ./visual-runner/stacks-classic-runner-config/web-test-runner.config.ci.mjs
+        env:
+          BETTER_AUTH_SECRET: ${{ secrets.AUTH_SECRET || 'ci-build-placeholder-secret' }}
+
+      - name: ⬆️ Upload Visual Regression Test Results
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        if: ${{ failure() }}
+        with:
+          name: visual-regression-test-results
+          path: packages/stacks-classic/screenshots
+
   release:
     name: Release (latest or beta)
     if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/develop' || github.ref == 'refs/heads/beta'
-    needs: [build-and-test]
+    needs: [build-and-test, visual-regression-tests]
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
       published: ${{ steps.changesets.outputs.published }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 7c9e2defd2..726d81a4ec 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -20,10 +20,6 @@ on:
         description: 'Whether or not to checkout with LFS'
         type: boolean
         default: false
-      changed_paths:
-        description: 'Optional paths-filter config; command runs only when these paths change'
-        type: string
-        default: ''
 
 jobs:
   build-and-test:
@@ -33,39 +29,21 @@ jobs:
       - name: ⬇️ Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
         with:
-          lfs: ${{ inputs.needs_lfs && inputs.changed_paths == '' }}
-
-      - name: Detect relevant changes
-        id: changes
-        if: inputs.changed_paths != ''
-        uses: dorny/paths-filter@v3
-        with:
-          filters: ${{ inputs.changed_paths }}
-
-      - name: ⏭️ Skip ${{ inputs.command_description }}
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'false'
-        run: echo "No relevant files changed; skipping ${{ inputs.command_description }}."
-
-      - name: ⬇️ Pull LFS assets
-        if: inputs.needs_lfs == true && steps.changes.outputs.run != 'false'
-        run: git lfs pull
+          lfs: ${{ inputs.needs_lfs }}
 
       - name: ⎔ Setup node
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run != 'false'
         uses: actions/setup-node@v4
         with:
           node-version: 'lts/*'
 
       - name: 🏗 Install Dependencies
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run != 'false'
         run: npm ci
 
       - name: 🏗 Install Playwright
-        if: inputs.needs_playwright == true && steps.changes.outputs.run != 'false'
+        if: inputs.needs_playwright == true
         run: npx playwright install --with-deps
 
       - name: 🔑 Setup SSH for private submodule
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run != 'false'
         run: |
           mkdir -p ~/.ssh
           echo -e "${SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY//_/\\n}" > ~/.ssh/id_rsa
@@ -74,7 +52,6 @@ jobs:
           SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY: ${{ secrets.SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY }}
 
       - name: ▶️ ${{ inputs.command_description }}
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run != 'false'
         run: ${{ inputs.command }}
         env:
           BETTER_AUTH_SECRET: ${{ secrets.AUTH_SECRET || 'ci-build-placeholder-secret' }}

From bd7620330a05afec11a78d08b41076478ac7d7b5 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Cormier <dancormierall@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:09:15 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 04/12] test: trigger visual regression path filter

---
 packages/stacks-classic/README.md | 4 +++-
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/packages/stacks-classic/README.md b/packages/stacks-classic/README.md
index a85958417d..24979bc439 100644
--- a/packages/stacks-classic/README.md
+++ b/packages/stacks-classic/README.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Stacks
 
+<!-- Temporary no-op change to verify visual regression path filtering. -->
+
 [![ci status][gh-action-badge]][gh-action-url] [![npm version][npm-badge]][npm-url]
 
 Stacks is Stack Overflow’s design system. It includes the resources needed to create consistent, predictable interfaces and workflows that conform to Stack Overflow’s principles, design language, and best practices.
@@ -26,4 +28,4 @@ To migrate from Stacks v1 to v2, see our [migration guide](/MIGRATION_GUIDE.md).
 [gh-action-url]: https://github.com/StackExchange/Stacks/actions/workflows/main.yml
 [gh-action-badge]: https://github.com/StackExchange/Stacks/actions/workflows/workflow.yml/badge.svg?branch=develop
 [npm-url]: https://npmjs.org/package/@stackoverflow/stacks
-[npm-badge]: https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@stackoverflow/stacks.svg
\ No newline at end of file
+[npm-badge]: https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@stackoverflow/stacks.svg

From ccec4b41febab4a8a9d6bc2b678a58e5b728d2d1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Cormier <dancormierall@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:05:13 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 05/12] chore: trigger ci


From a06b80f2cc22d18cd51f46b165cb7f806eeaa3d3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Cormier <dancormierall@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:53:30 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 06/12] ci: preserve visual regression check name

---
 .github/workflows/main.yml                   | 54 +----------------
 .github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml | 61 ++++++++++++++++++++
 2 files changed, 63 insertions(+), 52 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 .github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml

diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index f7ed5e6c9e..d87f6f80cd 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -51,58 +51,8 @@ jobs:
 
   visual-regression-tests:
     name: Visual Regression Tests
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-      - name: ⬇️ Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
-
-      - name: Detect relevant changes
-        id: changes
-        uses: dorny/paths-filter@v3
-        with:
-          filters: |
-            run:
-              - 'packages/stacks-classic/**'
-
-      - name: ⏭️ Skip Visual Regression Tests
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'false'
-        run: echo "No Stacks Classic files changed; skipping Visual Regression Tests."
-
-      - name: ⬇️ Pull LFS assets
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
-        run: git lfs pull
-
-      - name: ⎔ Setup node
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
-        uses: actions/setup-node@v4
-        with:
-          node-version: 'lts/*'
-
-      - name: 🏗 Install Dependencies
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
-        run: npm ci
-
-      - name: 🔑 Setup SSH for private submodule
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
-        run: |
-          mkdir -p ~/.ssh
-          echo -e "${SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY//_/\\n}" > ~/.ssh/id_rsa
-          chmod og-rwx ~/.ssh/id_rsa
-        env:
-          SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY: ${{ secrets.SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY }}
-
-      - name: ▶️ Visual Regression Tests
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
-        run: npm run test:visual:ci -w packages/stacks-classic -- --config ./visual-runner/stacks-classic-runner-config/web-test-runner.config.ci.mjs
-        env:
-          BETTER_AUTH_SECRET: ${{ secrets.AUTH_SECRET || 'ci-build-placeholder-secret' }}
-
-      - name: ⬆️ Upload Visual Regression Test Results
-        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
-        if: ${{ failure() }}
-        with:
-          name: visual-regression-test-results
-          path: packages/stacks-classic/screenshots
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
+    secrets: inherit
 
   release:
     name: Release (latest or beta)
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml b/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2750a7b9ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+name: Visual Regression Tests
+run-name: Visual Regression Tests
+
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+
+jobs:
+  visual-regression-tests:
+    name: Visual Regression Tests
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: ⬇️ Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Detect relevant changes
+        id: changes
+        uses: dorny/paths-filter@v3
+        with:
+          filters: |
+            run:
+              - 'packages/stacks-classic/**'
+
+      - name: ⏭️ Skip Visual Regression Tests
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'false'
+        run: echo "No Stacks Classic files changed; skipping Visual Regression Tests."
+
+      - name: ⬇️ Pull LFS assets
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
+        run: git lfs pull
+
+      - name: ⎔ Setup node
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
+        uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: 'lts/*'
+
+      - name: 🏗 Install Dependencies
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
+        run: npm ci
+
+      - name: 🔑 Setup SSH for private submodule
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
+        run: |
+          mkdir -p ~/.ssh
+          echo -e "${SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY//_/\\n}" > ~/.ssh/id_rsa
+          chmod og-rwx ~/.ssh/id_rsa
+        env:
+          SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY: ${{ secrets.SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY }}
+
+      - name: ▶️ Visual Regression Tests
+        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
+        run: npm run test:visual:ci -w packages/stacks-classic -- --config ./visual-runner/stacks-classic-runner-config/web-test-runner.config.ci.mjs
+        env:
+          BETTER_AUTH_SECRET: ${{ secrets.AUTH_SECRET || 'ci-build-placeholder-secret' }}
+
+      - name: ⬆️ Upload Visual Regression Test Results
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        if: ${{ failure() }}
+        with:
+          name: visual-regression-test-results
+          path: packages/stacks-classic/screenshots

From 29f99d27aaed48c453b326b646c80cc2767ab53b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Cormier <dancormierall@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:38:11 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 07/12] test: remove visual regression trigger

---
 packages/stacks-classic/README.md | 4 +---
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/packages/stacks-classic/README.md b/packages/stacks-classic/README.md
index 24979bc439..a85958417d 100644
--- a/packages/stacks-classic/README.md
+++ b/packages/stacks-classic/README.md
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 # Stacks
 
-<!-- Temporary no-op change to verify visual regression path filtering. -->
-
 [![ci status][gh-action-badge]][gh-action-url] [![npm version][npm-badge]][npm-url]
 
 Stacks is Stack Overflow’s design system. It includes the resources needed to create consistent, predictable interfaces and workflows that conform to Stack Overflow’s principles, design language, and best practices.
@@ -28,4 +26,4 @@ To migrate from Stacks v1 to v2, see our [migration guide](/MIGRATION_GUIDE.md).
 [gh-action-url]: https://github.com/StackExchange/Stacks/actions/workflows/main.yml
 [gh-action-badge]: https://github.com/StackExchange/Stacks/actions/workflows/workflow.yml/badge.svg?branch=develop
 [npm-url]: https://npmjs.org/package/@stackoverflow/stacks
-[npm-badge]: https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@stackoverflow/stacks.svg
+[npm-badge]: https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@stackoverflow/stacks.svg
\ No newline at end of file

From 5ac6276df9adc54383c59e2367ba5e6333233f6d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Cormier <dancormierall@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:44:21 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 08/12] ci: mark visual regression job skipped

---
 .github/workflows/main.yml                   | 29 +++++++++++----
 .github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml | 26 ++++----------
 .github/workflows/test.yml                   | 38 +++++++++++++++++++-
 3 files changed, 67 insertions(+), 26 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index d87f6f80cd..4f8e44b953 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,17 @@ on:
     branches: [develop, beta, main]
 
 jobs:
+  build:
+    name: Build
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/test.yml
+    with:
+      command: npm run build
+      command_description: Build
+      needs_playwright: false
+      needs_lfs: false
+      detect_visual_regression_changes: true
+    secrets: inherit
+
   build-and-test:
     name: ${{ matrix.command_description }}
     uses: ./.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -14,10 +25,6 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
-        - command_description: Build
-          command: npm run build
-          needs_lfs: false
-          needs_playwright: false
         - command_description: Lint
           command: npm run lint
           needs_lfs: false
@@ -51,13 +58,23 @@ jobs:
 
   visual-regression-tests:
     name: Visual Regression Tests
+    needs: build
     uses: ./.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
+    with:
+      should_run: ${{ needs.build.outputs.visual_regression_changed == 'true' }}
     secrets: inherit
 
   release:
     name: Release (latest or beta)
-    if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/develop' || github.ref == 'refs/heads/beta'
-    needs: [build-and-test, visual-regression-tests]
+    if: >-
+      ${{
+        !cancelled() &&
+        (github.ref == 'refs/heads/develop' || github.ref == 'refs/heads/beta') &&
+        needs.build.result == 'success' &&
+        needs.build-and-test.result == 'success' &&
+        (needs.visual-regression-tests.result == 'success' || needs.visual-regression-tests.result == 'skipped')
+      }}
+    needs: [build, build-and-test, visual-regression-tests]
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
       published: ${{ steps.changesets.outputs.published }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml b/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
index 2750a7b9ac..43b195fc5c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
@@ -3,43 +3,32 @@ run-name: Visual Regression Tests
 
 on:
   workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      should_run:
+        description: 'Whether to run visual regression tests'
+        type: boolean
+        required: true
 
 jobs:
   visual-regression-tests:
     name: Visual Regression Tests
+    if: inputs.should_run == true
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: ⬇️ Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
-
-      - name: Detect relevant changes
-        id: changes
-        uses: dorny/paths-filter@v3
         with:
-          filters: |
-            run:
-              - 'packages/stacks-classic/**'
-
-      - name: ⏭️ Skip Visual Regression Tests
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'false'
-        run: echo "No Stacks Classic files changed; skipping Visual Regression Tests."
-
-      - name: ⬇️ Pull LFS assets
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
-        run: git lfs pull
+          lfs: true
 
       - name: ⎔ Setup node
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
         uses: actions/setup-node@v4
         with:
           node-version: 'lts/*'
 
       - name: 🏗 Install Dependencies
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
         run: npm ci
 
       - name: 🔑 Setup SSH for private submodule
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
         run: |
           mkdir -p ~/.ssh
           echo -e "${SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY//_/\\n}" > ~/.ssh/id_rsa
@@ -48,7 +37,6 @@ jobs:
           SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY: ${{ secrets.SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY }}
 
       - name: ▶️ Visual Regression Tests
-        if: steps.changes.outputs.run == 'true'
         run: npm run test:visual:ci -w packages/stacks-classic -- --config ./visual-runner/stacks-classic-runner-config/web-test-runner.config.ci.mjs
         env:
           BETTER_AUTH_SECRET: ${{ secrets.AUTH_SECRET || 'ci-build-placeholder-secret' }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 726d81a4ec..8f9801a46d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -20,11 +20,21 @@ on:
         description: 'Whether or not to checkout with LFS'
         type: boolean
         default: false
+      detect_visual_regression_changes:
+        description: 'Whether to output if packages/stacks-classic changed'
+        type: boolean
+        default: false
+    outputs:
+      visual_regression_changed:
+        description: 'Whether packages/stacks-classic changed'
+        value: ${{ jobs.build-and-test.outputs.visual_regression_changed }}
 
 jobs:
   build-and-test:
     name: ${{ inputs.command_description }}
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      visual_regression_changed: ${{ steps.command.outputs.visual_regression_changed }}
     steps:
       - name: ⬇️ Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
@@ -52,7 +62,33 @@ jobs:
           SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY: ${{ secrets.SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY }}
 
       - name: ▶️ ${{ inputs.command_description }}
-        run: ${{ inputs.command }}
+        id: command
+        run: |
+          ${{ inputs.command }}
+
+          if [ "${{ inputs.detect_visual_regression_changes }}" = "true" ]; then
+            if [ "${{ github.event_name }}" = "pull_request" ]; then
+              git fetch --no-tags --prune --depth=1 origin "${{ github.base_ref }}"
+              changed_files="$(git diff --name-only "origin/${{ github.base_ref }}" HEAD)"
+            elif [ -n "${{ github.event.before }}" ] && [ "${{ github.event.before }}" != "0000000000000000000000000000000000000000" ]; then
+              git fetch --no-tags --prune --depth=1 origin "${{ github.event.before }}" || true
+              changed_files="$(git diff --name-only "${{ github.event.before }}" HEAD)"
+            else
+              changed_files="$(git diff --name-only HEAD^ HEAD || true)"
+            fi
+
+            visual_regression_changed=false
+            while IFS= read -r changed_file; do
+              case "$changed_file" in
+                packages/stacks-classic/*)
+                  visual_regression_changed=true
+                  break
+                  ;;
+              esac
+            done <<< "$changed_files"
+
+            echo "visual_regression_changed=$visual_regression_changed" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          fi
         env:
           BETTER_AUTH_SECRET: ${{ secrets.AUTH_SECRET || 'ci-build-placeholder-secret' }}
 

From bd843896e072f09c44fcc2240366263796aa164e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Cormier <dancormierall@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:49:23 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 09/12] test: trigger visual regression run

---
 packages/stacks-classic/README.md | 4 +++-
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/packages/stacks-classic/README.md b/packages/stacks-classic/README.md
index a85958417d..44fcb8e4e0 100644
--- a/packages/stacks-classic/README.md
+++ b/packages/stacks-classic/README.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Stacks
 
+<!-- Temporary no-op change to verify visual regression runs for Stacks Classic. -->
+
 [![ci status][gh-action-badge]][gh-action-url] [![npm version][npm-badge]][npm-url]
 
 Stacks is Stack Overflow’s design system. It includes the resources needed to create consistent, predictable interfaces and workflows that conform to Stack Overflow’s principles, design language, and best practices.
@@ -26,4 +28,4 @@ To migrate from Stacks v1 to v2, see our [migration guide](/MIGRATION_GUIDE.md).
 [gh-action-url]: https://github.com/StackExchange/Stacks/actions/workflows/main.yml
 [gh-action-badge]: https://github.com/StackExchange/Stacks/actions/workflows/workflow.yml/badge.svg?branch=develop
 [npm-url]: https://npmjs.org/package/@stackoverflow/stacks
-[npm-badge]: https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@stackoverflow/stacks.svg
\ No newline at end of file
+[npm-badge]: https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@stackoverflow/stacks.svg

From 5aeb4d444d80cb7ec620b25e3c8c3ac65e96a629 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Cormier <dancormierall@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:53:14 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 10/12] ci: update node actions

---
 .github/workflows/main.yml                   | 2 +-
 .github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml | 4 ++--
 .github/workflows/test.yml                   | 4 ++--
 3 files changed, 5 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index 4f8e44b953..a5d8c794fd 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup Node.js environment
-        uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        uses: actions/setup-node@v5
         with:
           node-version: lts/*
           cache: "npm"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml b/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
index 43b195fc5c..dfcae2292f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
@@ -16,12 +16,12 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: ⬇️ Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
         with:
           lfs: true
 
       - name: ⎔ Setup node
-        uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        uses: actions/setup-node@v5
         with:
           node-version: 'lts/*'
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 8f9801a46d..7d930f9295 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -37,12 +37,12 @@ jobs:
       visual_regression_changed: ${{ steps.command.outputs.visual_regression_changed }}
     steps:
       - name: ⬇️ Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
         with:
           lfs: ${{ inputs.needs_lfs }}
 
       - name: ⎔ Setup node
-        uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        uses: actions/setup-node@v5
         with:
           node-version: 'lts/*'
 

From b69ece2fbe1eda4adb3e785cc92d2197eec58fab Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Cormier <dancormierall@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:56:09 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 11/12] ci: detect visual regression changes early

---
 .github/workflows/main.yml                   | 21 +++--------
 .github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml | 25 +++++++++----
 .github/workflows/test.yml                   | 38 +-------------------
 3 files changed, 25 insertions(+), 59 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index a5d8c794fd..d23e36ace1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -7,17 +7,6 @@ on:
     branches: [develop, beta, main]
 
 jobs:
-  build:
-    name: Build
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/test.yml
-    with:
-      command: npm run build
-      command_description: Build
-      needs_playwright: false
-      needs_lfs: false
-      detect_visual_regression_changes: true
-    secrets: inherit
-
   build-and-test:
     name: ${{ matrix.command_description }}
     uses: ./.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -25,6 +14,10 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         include:
+        - command_description: Build
+          command: npm run build
+          needs_lfs: false
+          needs_playwright: false
         - command_description: Lint
           command: npm run lint
           needs_lfs: false
@@ -58,10 +51,7 @@ jobs:
 
   visual-regression-tests:
     name: Visual Regression Tests
-    needs: build
     uses: ./.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
-    with:
-      should_run: ${{ needs.build.outputs.visual_regression_changed == 'true' }}
     secrets: inherit
 
   release:
@@ -70,11 +60,10 @@ jobs:
       ${{
         !cancelled() &&
         (github.ref == 'refs/heads/develop' || github.ref == 'refs/heads/beta') &&
-        needs.build.result == 'success' &&
         needs.build-and-test.result == 'success' &&
         (needs.visual-regression-tests.result == 'success' || needs.visual-regression-tests.result == 'skipped')
       }}
-    needs: [build, build-and-test, visual-regression-tests]
+    needs: [build-and-test, visual-regression-tests]
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
       published: ${{ steps.changesets.outputs.published }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml b/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
index dfcae2292f..39485b0852 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-visual-regression.yml
@@ -3,16 +3,29 @@ run-name: Visual Regression Tests
 
 on:
   workflow_call:
-    inputs:
-      should_run:
-        description: 'Whether to run visual regression tests'
-        type: boolean
-        required: true
 
 jobs:
+  changes:
+    name: Detect Changes
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      should_run: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.run }}
+    steps:
+      - name: ⬇️ Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - name: Detect Stacks Classic changes
+        id: filter
+        uses: dorny/paths-filter@v4
+        with:
+          filters: |
+            run:
+              - 'packages/stacks-classic/**'
+
   visual-regression-tests:
     name: Visual Regression Tests
-    if: inputs.should_run == true
+    needs: changes
+    if: needs.changes.outputs.should_run == 'true'
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: ⬇️ Checkout
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 7d930f9295..df1c4a8a6d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -20,21 +20,11 @@ on:
         description: 'Whether or not to checkout with LFS'
         type: boolean
         default: false
-      detect_visual_regression_changes:
-        description: 'Whether to output if packages/stacks-classic changed'
-        type: boolean
-        default: false
-    outputs:
-      visual_regression_changed:
-        description: 'Whether packages/stacks-classic changed'
-        value: ${{ jobs.build-and-test.outputs.visual_regression_changed }}
 
 jobs:
   build-and-test:
     name: ${{ inputs.command_description }}
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    outputs:
-      visual_regression_changed: ${{ steps.command.outputs.visual_regression_changed }}
     steps:
       - name: ⬇️ Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v5
@@ -62,33 +52,7 @@ jobs:
           SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY: ${{ secrets.SUBMODULE_SSH_KEY }}
 
       - name: ▶️ ${{ inputs.command_description }}
-        id: command
-        run: |
-          ${{ inputs.command }}
-
-          if [ "${{ inputs.detect_visual_regression_changes }}" = "true" ]; then
-            if [ "${{ github.event_name }}" = "pull_request" ]; then
-              git fetch --no-tags --prune --depth=1 origin "${{ github.base_ref }}"
-              changed_files="$(git diff --name-only "origin/${{ github.base_ref }}" HEAD)"
-            elif [ -n "${{ github.event.before }}" ] && [ "${{ github.event.before }}" != "0000000000000000000000000000000000000000" ]; then
-              git fetch --no-tags --prune --depth=1 origin "${{ github.event.before }}" || true
-              changed_files="$(git diff --name-only "${{ github.event.before }}" HEAD)"
-            else
-              changed_files="$(git diff --name-only HEAD^ HEAD || true)"
-            fi
-
-            visual_regression_changed=false
-            while IFS= read -r changed_file; do
-              case "$changed_file" in
-                packages/stacks-classic/*)
-                  visual_regression_changed=true
-                  break
-                  ;;
-              esac
-            done <<< "$changed_files"
-
-            echo "visual_regression_changed=$visual_regression_changed" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-          fi
+        run: ${{ inputs.command }}
         env:
           BETTER_AUTH_SECRET: ${{ secrets.AUTH_SECRET || 'ci-build-placeholder-secret' }}
 

From ec365b478a9ac21907dc1f6909a3109663300f42 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Cormier <dancormierall@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:03:09 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 12/12] test: remove visual regression run trigger

---
 packages/stacks-classic/README.md | 4 +---
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/packages/stacks-classic/README.md b/packages/stacks-classic/README.md
index 44fcb8e4e0..a85958417d 100644
--- a/packages/stacks-classic/README.md
+++ b/packages/stacks-classic/README.md
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 # Stacks
 
-<!-- Temporary no-op change to verify visual regression runs for Stacks Classic. -->
-
 [![ci status][gh-action-badge]][gh-action-url] [![npm version][npm-badge]][npm-url]
 
 Stacks is Stack Overflow’s design system. It includes the resources needed to create consistent, predictable interfaces and workflows that conform to Stack Overflow’s principles, design language, and best practices.
@@ -28,4 +26,4 @@ To migrate from Stacks v1 to v2, see our [migration guide](/MIGRATION_GUIDE.md).
 [gh-action-url]: https://github.com/StackExchange/Stacks/actions/workflows/main.yml
 [gh-action-badge]: https://github.com/StackExchange/Stacks/actions/workflows/workflow.yml/badge.svg?branch=develop
 [npm-url]: https://npmjs.org/package/@stackoverflow/stacks
-[npm-badge]: https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@stackoverflow/stacks.svg
+[npm-badge]: https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@stackoverflow/stacks.svg
\ No newline at end of file