diff --git a/apps/github-runner/github-runner.yaml b/apps/github-runner/github-runner.yaml
index f9f4009..ca796f7 100644
--- a/apps/github-runner/github-runner.yaml
+++ b/apps/github-runner/github-runner.yaml
@@ -113,7 +113,11 @@ spec:
   # one pod at a time. Each pod re-registers as an ephemeral runner after
   # completing a job (EPHEMERAL=true restarts the container, not the pod,
   # so the PVC stays attached between jobs).
-  replicas: 0
+  #
+  # 2026-05-16: bumped 0 -> 1 after operator provisioned the
+  # "GitHub PAT (Runner Registration)" 1P item with field=credential.
+  # Unblocks CI fleet-wide (was budget-exhausted on GH-hosted runners).
+  replicas: 1
   selector:
     matchLabels:
       app.kubernetes.io/name: github-runner