diff --git a/.github/workflows/cd.yml b/.github/workflows/cd.yml
index c74b955a2..d1e0cea3c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cd.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cd.yml
@@ -52,8 +52,10 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Publish slim package
         run: |
-          # Ensure npm 11.5.1 or later is installed
-          npm install -g npm@latest
+          # Ensure npm 11.5.1 or later is installed. Pin to the v11 line: npm@latest
+          # now resolves to npm@12, which requires a newer Node than CI provides
+          # (node ^22.22.2 || ^24.15.0 || >=26.0.0) and fails with EBADENGINE.
+          npm install -g npm@^11.5.1
 
           cd slim