diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 396acc811c5a..92d2808a7cc3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -87,6 +87,23 @@ jobs:
           test "$(./build/bin/bitcoin-cli -datadir="$DD" -chain=regtest getblockcount)" = "101"
           ./build/bin/bitcoin-cli -datadir="$DD" -chain=regtest stop
 
+      # Strip before packaging: the Linux artifact was 132MB of mostly debug
+      # symbols, which is a long download for something we hand to beginners.
+      - name: Strip
+        run: |
+          strip build/bin/bitcoind build/bin/bitcoin-cli 2>/dev/null || \
+            strip -S build/bin/bitcoind build/bin/bitcoin-cli 2>/dev/null || true
+          ls -lh build/bin/bitcoind
+
+      # The README offers "download the app" from /releases/latest, so every
+      # release has to carry it — otherwise that link 404s the moment a
+      # node-only release becomes the latest one.
+      - name: Build the Mac app
+        if: runner.os == 'macOS'
+        run: |
+          sh contrib/vibes/macos/build-app.sh --dmg
+          ls -lh dist/BitcoinVibes.dmg
+
       - name: Package
         run: |
           SHA=$(git rev-parse HEAD)
@@ -105,4 +122,5 @@ jobs:
           files: |
             vibes-node-${{ matrix.slug }}.tar.gz
             vibes-node-${{ matrix.slug }}.tar.gz.sha256
+            ${{ runner.os == 'macOS' && 'dist/BitcoinVibes.dmg' || '' }}
           fail_on_unmatched_files: true
diff --git a/.github/workflows/sync-alias.yml b/.github/workflows/sync-alias.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..a547c1d41ad0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/sync-alias.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+# Keep the legacy `vibes` branch pointing at `master`.
+#
+# `vibes` exists only so install links published before the rename keep
+# resolving. It has drifted behind master three times because syncing it was a
+# manual step somebody had to remember, so it is a manual step no longer.
+#
+# Fast-forward only: master always contains vibes, so this can never rewrite
+# history or lose a commit. If it ever isn't a fast-forward, that means
+# something unexpected happened and the job fails loudly rather than forcing.
+name: Sync alias branch
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [master]
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+permissions:
+  contents: write
+
+jobs:
+  sync:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+
+      - name: Fast-forward vibes to master
+        run: |
+          set -e
+          git fetch origin master vibes
+          if git merge-base --is-ancestor origin/vibes origin/master; then
+            git push origin origin/master:refs/heads/vibes
+            echo "vibes fast-forwarded to $(git rev-parse --short=10 origin/master)"
+          else
+            echo "::error::vibes is not an ancestor of master — refusing to force. Resolve by hand."
+            exit 1
+          fi