diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index ba327b3..50641bb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -58,6 +58,11 @@ jobs:
       - run: npm ci
       - run: npm run build
       
+      - name: Setup Git identity
+        run: |
+          git config user.name "semantic-release-bot"
+          git config user.email "semantic-release@github.com"
+          
       - name: Run semantic-release
         run: npx semantic-release
         env:
diff --git a/commitlint.config.js b/commitlint.config.js
index 5073c20..26b996c 100644
--- a/commitlint.config.js
+++ b/commitlint.config.js
@@ -1 +1,4 @@
-module.exports = { extends: ["@commitlint/config-conventional"] };
+module.exports = {
+  extends: ["@commitlint/config-conventional"],
+  ignores: [(commit) => commit.startsWith("chore(release):")],
+};
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index 8d02246..a9ff098 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Rule Engine
 
-A light weight rule engine for evaluating conditions and executing actions based on predefined rules.
+> A light weight rule engine for evaluating conditions and executing actions based on predefined rules.
 
 [![NPM Version](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@arunkumar_h/rule-engine)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@arunkumar_h/rule-engine)
 [![NPM Downloads](https://img.shields.io/npm/dm/@arunkumar_h/rule-engine)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@arunkumar_h/rule-engine)
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ A light weight rule engine for evaluating conditions and executing actions based
 [![badge-lines](badges/badge-lines.svg)](badges/badge-lines.svg)
 [![badge-statements](badges/badge-statements.svg)](badges/badge-statements.svg)
 
-
 ## Installation
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/release.config.js b/release.config.js
index 029b682..5d1aef7 100644
--- a/release.config.js
+++ b/release.config.js
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ module.exports = {
         assets: ["CHANGELOG.md", "package.json"],
         message:
           "chore(release): ${nextRelease.version} [skip ci]\n\n${nextRelease.notes}",
+        skipHooks: true, // ⛔️ skips husky hooks like commit-msg
       },
     ],
   ],