diff --git a/.github/README.md b/.github/workflows/README.md
similarity index 92%
rename from .github/README.md
rename to .github/workflows/README.md
index c196a2e9a..8e83b3cda 100644
--- a/.github/README.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/README.md
@@ -11,28 +11,6 @@ The repository uses **Changesets** for version management with independent relea
 
 All development happens on the `develop` branch with automated testing, changeset validation, and manual release controls by authorized teams.
 
-## How to test github workflows locally
-
-To be able to test github workflows locally you can use act, a github actions simulator [act homepage](https://nektosact.com/introduction.html)
-
-### Install act
-
-```bash
-curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nektos/act/master/install.sh | sudo bash
-```
-
-### Run workflow
-
-Substitute \<workflow\> for the workflow you want to test (ats.pubilsh, mp.release, ...)
-
-```bash
-./bin/act workflow_dispatch \
-  -W .github/workflows/<workflow>.yml \
-  --input dry-run-enabled=true \
-  -s NPM_TOKEN=fake_token \
-  -P token-studio-linux-large=catthehacker/ubuntu:act-latest
-```
-
 ## Developer Workflow
 
 ### Daily Development Process
@@ -340,13 +318,13 @@ sequenceDiagram
 
 ```bash
 # Development
-npm run changeset                # Create changeset
+npm run changeset                 # Create changeset
 npm run changeset:status         # Check pending changes
 npm run ats:test                 # Run ATS tests
 npm run mass-payout:test         # Run MP tests
 
 # Preview releases
-npm run release:preview         # Show all pending releases
+npm run release:preview          # Show all pending releases
 npm run release:ats             # Preview ATS release (local)
 npm run release:mp              # Preview MP release (local)
 ```
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ats.publish.yml b/.github/workflows/ats.publish.yml
index faf929855..8fb3225d5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ats.publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ats.publish.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ on:
   workflow_dispatch:
     inputs:
       dry-run-enabled:
-        description: 'Run npm publish with dry-run flag'
+        description: "Run npm publish with dry-run flag"
         required: false
         type: boolean
         default: false
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ jobs:
   contracts:
     name: Publish ATS Contracts
     runs-on: token-studio-linux-large
-    # Only run if manual trigger OR release tag contains '-ats-'/'-ATS-'
-    if: ${{ github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || contains(github.ref_name, '-ats-') || contains(github.ref_name, '-ATS-') }}
+    # Only run if manual trigger OR release tag contains/ends with '-ats'/'-ATS'
+    if: ${{ github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || contains(github.ref_name, '-ats-') || endsWith(github.ref_name, '-ats') }}
 
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ jobs:
           DRY_RUN: ${{ inputs.dry-run-enabled }}
         working-directory: packages/ats/contracts
         run: |
-          PUBLISH_ARGS=("--access=restricted")
+          PUBLISH_ARGS=("--access=public")
           if [[ "${DRY_RUN}" == "true" ]]; then
             PUBLISH_ARGS+=("--dry-run")
             echo "🔍 DRY RUN MODE: Would publish @hashgraph/asset-tokenization-contracts"
@@ -82,8 +82,8 @@ jobs:
   sdk:
     name: Publish ATS SDK
     runs-on: token-studio-linux-large
-    # Only run if manual trigger OR release tag contains '-ats-'/'-ATS-'
-    if: ${{ github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || contains(github.ref_name, '-ats-') || contains(github.ref_name, '-ATS-') }}
+    # Only run if manual trigger OR release tag contains/ends with '-ats'/'-ATS'
+    if: ${{ github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' || contains(github.ref_name, '-ats-') || endsWith(github.ref_name, '-ats') }}
     # needs: contracts  # Commented out for parallel execution
 
     steps:
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ jobs:
           DRY_RUN: ${{ inputs.dry-run-enabled }}
         working-directory: packages/ats/sdk
         run: |
-          PUBLISH_ARGS=("--access=restricted")
+          PUBLISH_ARGS=("--access=public")
           if [[ "${DRY_RUN}" == "true" ]]; then
             PUBLISH_ARGS+=("--dry-run")
             echo "🔍 DRY RUN MODE: Would publish @hashgraph/asset-tokenization-sdk"