diff --git a/.github/workflows/deploy-tap.yml b/.github/workflows/deploy-tap.yml
index 2075d26e6..769cce98a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deploy-tap.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deploy-tap.yml
@@ -1,13 +1,21 @@
 name: Deploy Homebrew Tap
 
 on:
+  # Test formula on PRs (audit only, don't deploy)
+  pull_request:
+    branches: [ master ]
+    paths:
+      - 'packaging/homebrew/mfc.rb'
+      - 'packaging/homebrew/README.md'
+  # Deploy to tap on push to master
   push:
-    branches: [ main, master, homebrew-formula ]
+    branches: [ master, homebrew-new ]
     paths:
       - 'packaging/homebrew/mfc.rb'
       - 'packaging/homebrew/README.md'
     tags:
       - 'v*.*.*'
+  # Allow manual trigger for testing
   workflow_dispatch:
 
 permissions:
@@ -15,7 +23,7 @@ permissions:
 
 jobs:
   deploy-tap:
-    name: Sync/bump formula in tap
+    name: Audit and deploy formula
     runs-on: macos-14
     permissions:
       contents: write
@@ -41,6 +49,13 @@ jobs:
           echo "version=${VERSION}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
           echo "url=${URL}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
           echo "sha256=${SHASUM}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          echo "Event: ${{ github.event_name }}" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
+          echo "Version: ${VERSION}" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
+          if [[ "${{ github.event_name }}" == "pull_request" ]]; then
+            echo "Mode: Audit only (PR)" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
+          else
+            echo "Mode: Audit and deploy" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
+          fi
 
       - name: Update formula (for tag events)
         if: github.ref_type == 'tag'
@@ -61,6 +76,7 @@ jobs:
           brew untap mfc/local
 
       - name: Clone or bootstrap tap repository
+        if: github.event_name != 'pull_request'
         env:
           TAP_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.TAP_REPO_TOKEN }}
         run: |
@@ -81,12 +97,14 @@ jobs:
           fi
 
       - name: Copy formula and README into tap
+        if: github.event_name != 'pull_request'
         run: |
           mkdir -p tap-repo/Formula
           cp packaging/homebrew/mfc.rb tap-repo/Formula/mfc.rb
           cp packaging/homebrew/README.md tap-repo/README.md
 
       - name: Commit & push if changed
+        if: github.event_name != 'pull_request'
         env:
           TAP_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.TAP_REPO_TOKEN }}
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/homebrew.yml b/.github/workflows/homebrew.yml
index 8a8d0e979..d7eced295 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/homebrew.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/homebrew.yml
@@ -2,15 +2,10 @@ name: Homebrew Formula Test
 
 on:
   push:
-    branches:
-      - master
-      - homebrew-formula
     paths:
       - 'packaging/homebrew/**'
       - '.github/workflows/homebrew.yml'
   pull_request:
-    branches:
-      - master
     paths:
       - 'packaging/homebrew/**'
       - '.github/workflows/homebrew.yml'
diff --git a/packaging/homebrew/mfc.rb b/packaging/homebrew/mfc.rb
index 6d28f3fc8..7bacf9737 100644
--- a/packaging/homebrew/mfc.rb
+++ b/packaging/homebrew/mfc.rb
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ class Mfc < Formula
   depends_on "openblas"
   depends_on "python@3.12"
 
-  # Skip relocation for Python C extensions in the venv
-  # The venv is self-contained in libexec and doesn't need Homebrew's relocation
+  # Skip cleanup for Python venv to preserve C extensions as-is
+  # Python wheels manage their own RPATHs and don't need Homebrew's relocation
   skip_clean "libexec/venv"
 
   def install
@@ -248,6 +248,16 @@ def post_install
     (libexec/"mfc").chmod 0755
   end
 
+  # Override to skip relocation checks for Python C extensions in venv
+  # Python wheels (especially orjson, cantera) have Mach-O headers without enough
+  # padding for Homebrew's longer paths. This is safe because:
+  # 1. The venv is self-contained in libexec and uses relative paths
+  # 2. Python manages its own RPATH for C extensions
+  # 3. The venv is never relocated after installation
+  def skip_relocation?(file, _type)
+    file.to_s.include?("/libexec/venv/")
+  end
+
   def caveats
     <<~EOS
       MFC has been installed successfully!
@@ -289,21 +299,22 @@ def caveats
     # Test that mfc wrapper works
     system bin/"mfc", "--help"
 
-    # Test running a simple 1D Sod shock tube case from a separate directory
-    # This ensures the wrapper script correctly handles relative paths
+    # Test running a complete 1D Sod shock tube case from a separate directory
+    # This comprehensive test ensures the entire MFC workflow functions correctly
+    # and that the wrapper script properly handles relative paths
     testpath_case = testpath/"test_run"
     testpath_case.mkpath
 
     # Copy case.py from examples to an independent test directory
     cp prefix/"examples/1D_sodshocktube/case.py", testpath_case/"case.py"
 
-    # Run the case from the test directory (this will execute pre_process and simulation)
-    # Limit to 1 processor and reduce runtime for testing
+    # Run all three stages: pre_process, simulation, and post_process
+    # This runs a full 1D Sod shock tube (1000 timesteps, 399 cells)
     cd testpath_case do
-      system bin/"mfc", "run", "case.py", "-j", "1"
+      system bin/"mfc", "case.py", "-n", "1"
     end
 
-    # Verify output files were created in the test directory
+    # Verify silo_hdf5 output files were created by post_process
     assert_path_exists testpath_case/"silo_hdf5"
     assert_predicate testpath_case/"silo_hdf5", :directory?
   end