diff --git a/.github/workflows/sync.yml b/.github/workflows/sync.yml
index 6e96f83..a01308f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/sync.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/sync.yml
@@ -29,12 +29,16 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Commit and push if changed
         run: |
-          if git diff --quiet skills/; then
+          # Stage first, then gate on the staged diff. `git diff` (no --cached)
+          # ignores untracked files, so a brand-new file (a new skill, or a new
+          # reference) would be invisible here and the job would exit before
+          # committing it.
+          git add skills/
+          if git diff --cached --quiet skills/; then
             echo "No skill changes — nothing to commit."
             exit 0
           fi
           git config user.name "github-actions[bot]"
           git config user.email "41898282+github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
-          git add skills/
           git commit -m "chore: sync skills"
           git push