diff --git a/.github/workflows/cla.yml b/.github/workflows/cla.yml
index afbf680..0104820 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cla.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cla.yml
@@ -49,6 +49,19 @@ jobs:
             exit 1
           fi
 
+      # dispatched runs are not associated with the PR, so report via commit status
+      - name: "Pass CLA via commit status"
+        if: github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          gh api -X POST "repos/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/statuses/${GITHUB_SHA}" \
+            -f state=success \
+            -f context=CLAssistant \
+            -f description="Changesets release PR: github-actions[bot] is CLA-allowlisted" \
+            -f target_url="${GITHUB_SERVER_URL}/${GITHUB_REPOSITORY}/actions/runs/${GITHUB_RUN_ID}"
+
       - name: "CLA Assistant"
         if: (github.event.issue.pull_request && (github.event.comment.body == 'recheck' || github.event.comment.body == 'I have read the CLA Document and I hereby sign the CLA')) || github.event_name == 'pull_request_target'
         uses: contributor-assistant/github-action@v2.6.1