diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 4e08c7c42..354fbd268 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,14 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: false
 
 jobs:
+  # Regenerates contributors/contributors.json for the release commit; every build bundles it.
+  credits:
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+      pull-requests: read
+    uses: storytold/craft-common-actions/.github/workflows/refresh-contributors.yml@main
   release:
+    needs: credits
     permissions:
       contents: write
       packages: write
@@ -25,6 +32,7 @@ jobs:
       app-name: effectcraft
       app-title: EffectCraft
       version: ${{ inputs.version }}
+      contributors-artifact: ${{ needs.credits.outputs.artifact-name }}
     secrets:
       APPLE_CERTIFICATE: ${{ secrets.APPLE_CERTIFICATE }}
       APPLE_CERTIFICATE_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.APPLE_CERTIFICATE_PASSWORD }}
diff --git a/docs/contributors.md b/docs/contributors.md
index c6746dc17..cbddfb8cf 100644
--- a/docs/contributors.md
+++ b/docs/contributors.md
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ the AI models named in `Co-Authored-By` trailers.
 - Two files, both **compiled into the binary** by the UI crate's `build.rs` (nothing is read from
   disk or the network at run time; the web build has them too):
   - [`contributors/contributors.json`](../contributors/contributors.json): commit stats per GitHub
-    username. Never hand-edit.
+    username. Never hand-edit. Release builds regenerate it for the release commit
+    (`.github/workflows/release.yml`, `credits` job); the copy in the repository is not updated.
   - [`contributors/people.toml`](../contributors/people.toml): the names people chose for
     themselves. **Each contributor adds only their own entry**, in their own PR.
 - Each contributor gets one line: GitHub username (always), display name (opt-in, or their synced