diff --git a/.claude/commands/release/generate-release-notes.md b/.claude/commands/release/generate-release-notes.md
index 6a42ea32..97fba5bc 100644
--- a/.claude/commands/release/generate-release-notes.md
+++ b/.claude/commands/release/generate-release-notes.md
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ The skill generates markdown-formatted release notes following this structure:
 
 **IMPORTANT**: Always add a blank lines around the markdown code fence and output the markdown code block last
 **IMPORTANT**: PRs by `@gschier` should not mention the @username
+**IMPORTANT**: These are app release notes. Exclude CLI-only changes (commits prefixed with `cli:` or only touching `crates-cli/`) since the CLI has its own release process.
 
 ## After Generating Release Notes
 
diff --git a/.codex/skills/release-generate-release-notes/SKILL.md b/.codex/skills/release-generate-release-notes/SKILL.md
index cc42395c..965c4434 100644
--- a/.codex/skills/release-generate-release-notes/SKILL.md
+++ b/.codex/skills/release-generate-release-notes/SKILL.md
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ Generate formatted markdown release notes for a Yaak tag.
 - Keep a blank line before and after the code fence.
 - Output the markdown code block last.
 - Do not append `by @gschier` for PRs authored by `@gschier`.
+- These are app release notes. Exclude CLI-only changes (commits prefixed with `cli:` or only touching `crates-cli/`) since the CLI has its own release process.
 
 ## Release Creation Prompt