diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 3da8f52..6de167e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -82,12 +82,32 @@ jobs:
       - name: Verify npx install path
         run: |
           VERSION="$(node -p "require('./package.json').version")"
-          npx --yes "@roastcodes/ttdash@${VERSION}" --help
+          EXPECTED="TTDash v${VERSION}"
+          for attempt in 1 2 3 4 5 6; do
+            OUTPUT="$(npm exec --yes --package "@roastcodes/ttdash@${VERSION}" -- ttdash --help 2>&1)" && {
+              printf '%s\n' "$OUTPUT"
+              printf '%s\n' "$OUTPUT" | grep -F "$EXPECTED" >/dev/null
+              exit 0
+            }
+            sleep 10
+          done
+          echo "npm exec install path did not become ready in time."
+          exit 1
 
       - name: Verify bunx install path
         run: |
           VERSION="$(node -p "require('./package.json').version")"
-          bunx "@roastcodes/ttdash@${VERSION}" --help
+          EXPECTED="TTDash v${VERSION}"
+          for attempt in 1 2 3 4 5 6; do
+            OUTPUT="$(bunx "@roastcodes/ttdash@${VERSION}" --help 2>&1)" && {
+              printf '%s\n' "$OUTPUT"
+              printf '%s\n' "$OUTPUT" | grep -F "$EXPECTED" >/dev/null
+              exit 0
+            }
+            sleep 10
+          done
+          echo "bunx install path did not become ready in time."
+          exit 1
 
       - name: Create GitHub release
         env:
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 041fe6d..1ea749a 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "@roastcodes/ttdash",
-  "version": "6.1.1",
+  "version": "6.1.2",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "@roastcodes/ttdash",
-      "version": "6.1.1",
+      "version": "6.1.2",
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
         "i18next": "^26.0.3",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index b6c7f78..3438902 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@roastcodes/ttdash",
-  "version": "6.1.1",
+  "version": "6.1.2",
   "description": "Local-first dashboard and CLI for toktrack usage data",
   "main": "server.js",
   "repository": {
diff --git a/src/lib/constants.ts b/src/lib/constants.ts
index 36910b5..2d85236 100644
--- a/src/lib/constants.ts
+++ b/src/lib/constants.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-export const VERSION = '6.1.1'
+export const VERSION = '6.1.2'
 
 export const MODEL_COLORS: Record<string, string> = {
   'Opus 4.6': 'hsl(262, 60%, 55%)',