diff --git a/.github/workflows/notify-engine.yml b/.github/workflows/notify-engine.yml
index adc0ad800e5..07af296c1ee 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/notify-engine.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/notify-engine.yml
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ on:
     branches: [main]
     paths-ignore:
       - "TechEngine"
+      # status.json is generated BY the engine (verify-status); a pure _verify
+      # sync commit must not re-dispatch techapi-updated, or it loops forever.
+      - "data/_verify/**"
   workflow_dispatch:   # manual reverse-sync trigger (uses main HEAD sha)
 
 permissions: