diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_release.yml b/.github/workflows/create_release.yml
index ec7c0af..354f881 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_release.yml
@@ -44,12 +44,12 @@ jobs:
           VERSION='${{ inputs.version }}'
           INCR='${{ inputs.increment }}'
           if [[ "$MODE" == "explicit" && -z "$VERSION" ]]; then
-            echo "❌ mode=explicit requires 'version' (e.g., 1.3-alpha)."; exit 1
+            echo "? mode=explicit requires 'version' (e.g., 1.3-alpha)."; exit 1
           fi
           if [[ "$MODE" == "bump" && -z "$INCR" ]]; then
-            echo "❌ mode=bump requires 'increment' (major|minor|patch)."; exit 1
+            echo "? mode=bump requires 'increment' (major|minor|patch)."; exit 1
           fi
-          echo "✅ inputs look good."
+          echo "? inputs look good."
 
   set-version:
     needs: validate-inputs
diff --git a/.github/workflows/format.yml b/.github/workflows/format.yml
index a428f7d..b42573a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/format.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/format.yml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ on:
     branches: [main, develop]
 
   workflow_run:
-    workflows: [Create Prerelease, Create Release]
+    workflows: [Create Release]
     types: [requested]
  
 permissions:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pack_publish.yml b/.github/workflows/pack_publish.yml
index 61ba60d..8ed5e72 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pack_publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pack_publish.yml
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ permissions:
   contents: write
   pull-requests: write
   packages: write
-  statuses: write 
-  
+  statuses: write
+
 jobs:
   set-config:
     uses: Stillpoint-Software/shared-workflows/.github/workflows/determine_build_configuration.yml@main
@@ -18,17 +18,26 @@ jobs:
       target_branch: ${{ github.event.release.target_commitish }}
       override_build_configuration: ''                 
       prerelease: ${{ github.event.release.prerelease }} # true/false from the release
-
-  publish:
+  
+  tests:
     needs: set-config
+    uses: Stillpoint-Software/shared-workflows/.github/workflows/run_tests.yml@main
+    with:
+      branch: ${{ github.event.release.target_commitish }}
+      solution_name: ${{ vars.SOLUTION_NAME }}
+  
+  publish:
+    needs: [set-config, tests]
     uses: Stillpoint-Software/shared-workflows/.github/workflows/pack_and_publish.yml@main
     with:
       build_configuration: ${{ needs.set-config.outputs.build_configuration }}
     secrets:
       NUGET_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.NUGET_API_KEY }}
+
   result:
-    needs: [publish]
+    needs: [publish, tests]
     if: always()
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
+       - run: echo "Tests result = ${{ needs.tests.result }}"
        - run: echo "Pack & Publish result = ${{ needs.publish.result }}"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/run_tests.yml b/.github/workflows/run_tests.yml
index 9efc51d..f234a86 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/run_tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/run_tests.yml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ name: Run Tests
 
 on:
   workflow_run:
-    workflows: [Create Prerelease, Create Release]
+    workflows: [Create Release]
     types: [requested]
     branches: [main, develop]        
   workflow_dispatch: