diff --git a/.claude/skills/core/SKILL.md b/.claude/skills/core/SKILL.md
index 8a7608c..beec7a4 100644
--- a/.claude/skills/core/SKILL.md
+++ b/.claude/skills/core/SKILL.md
@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@ The `core` command provides a unified interface for Go/Wails development, multi-
 | Deploy PHP app | `core php deploy` | Coolify deployment |
 | Build project | `core build` | Auto-detects project type |
 | Build for targets | `core build --targets linux/amd64,darwin/arm64` | Cross-compile |
-| Release | `core ci` | Build + publish to GitHub/npm/Homebrew |
+| Build SDK | `core build sdk` | Generate API clients from OpenAPI |
+| Publish release | `core ci` | Publish pre-built artifacts |
 | Check environment | `core doctor` | Verify tools installed |
 | Multi-repo status | `core dev health` | Quick summary across repos |
 | Multi-repo workflow | `core dev work` | Status + commit + push |
@@ -35,7 +36,8 @@ The `core` command provides a unified interface for Go/Wails development, multi-
 | List issues | `core dev issues` | Open issues across repos |
 | List PRs | `core dev reviews` | PRs needing review |
 | Check CI | `core dev ci` | GitHub Actions status |
-| Generate SDK | `core sdk` | Generate API clients from OpenAPI |
+| Validate OpenAPI | `core sdk validate` | Validate OpenAPI spec |
+| Check API changes | `core sdk diff` | Detect breaking API changes |
 | Sync docs | `core docs sync` | Sync docs across repos |
 | Search packages | `core pkg search <query>` | GitHub search for core-* repos |
 | Install package | `core pkg install <name>` | Clone and register package |
@@ -65,6 +67,31 @@ core build --ci
 
 **Why:** Handles cross-compilation, code signing, archiving, checksums, and CI output formatting.
 
+## Releasing
+
+Build and publish are **separated** to prevent accidental releases:
+
+```bash
+# Step 1: Build artifacts (safe - no publishing)
+core build
+core build sdk
+
+# Step 2: Publish to configured targets (requires pre-built artifacts)
+core ci                    # Publish what's in dist/
+core ci --dry-run          # Preview what would be published
+core ci --draft            # Create as draft release
+core ci --prerelease       # Mark as prerelease
+```
+
+**Why separate?** Running `core ci` without first building will fail safely - no accidental publishes.
+
+```bash
+# Release workflow utilities
+core ci init               # Initialize .core/release.yaml
+core ci changelog          # Generate changelog from commits
+core ci version            # Show determined version
+```
+
 ## Multi-Repo Workflow
 
 When working across host-uk repositories:
@@ -121,14 +148,31 @@ Generate API clients from OpenAPI specs:
 
 ```bash
 # Generate all configured SDKs
-core sdk
+core build sdk
 
 # Generate specific language
-core sdk --lang typescript
-core sdk --lang php
+core build sdk --lang typescript
+core build sdk --lang php
 
 # Specify OpenAPI spec
-core sdk --spec ./openapi.yaml
+core build sdk --spec ./openapi.yaml
+
+# Preview without generating
+core build sdk --dry-run
+```
+
+## SDK Validation
+
+Validate specs and check for breaking changes:
+
+```bash
+# Validate OpenAPI spec
+core sdk validate
+core sdk validate --spec ./api.yaml
+
+# Check for breaking API changes
+core sdk diff --base v1.0.0
+core sdk diff --base ./old-api.yaml --spec ./new-api.yaml
 ```
 
 ## Documentation
@@ -476,7 +520,8 @@ Go project?
   └── Lint: core go lint
   └── Tidy modules: core go mod tidy
   └── Build: core build [--targets <os/arch>]
-  └── Release: core ci
+  └── Build SDK: core build sdk
+  └── Publish: core ci [--dry-run]
 
 PHP/Laravel project?
   └── Start dev: core php dev [--https]
@@ -526,6 +571,8 @@ Managing packages?
 | Raw `linuxkit run` | `core vm run` | Unified interface, templates |
 | `gh repo clone` | `core pkg install` | Auto-detects org, adds to registry |
 | Manual GitHub search | `core pkg search` | Filtered to org, formatted output |
+| `core ci` without build | `core build && core ci` | Build first, then publish |
+| `core sdk generate` | `core build sdk` | SDK generation moved to build |
 
 ## Configuration
 
diff --git a/cmd/core/cmd/build.go b/cmd/core/cmd/build.go
index 68a253a..89f2fed 100644
--- a/cmd/core/cmd/build.go
+++ b/cmd/core/cmd/build.go
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/build"
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/build/builders"
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/build/signing"
+	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/sdk"
 	"github.com/leaanthony/clir"
 	"github.com/leaanthony/debme"
 	"github.com/leaanthony/gosod"
@@ -125,6 +126,25 @@ func AddBuildCommand(app *clir.Cli) {
 		}
 		return runPwaBuild(pwaURL)
 	})
+
+	// --- `build sdk` command ---
+	sdkBuildCmd := buildCmd.NewSubCommand("sdk", "Generate API SDKs from OpenAPI spec")
+	sdkBuildCmd.LongDescription("Generates typed API clients from OpenAPI specifications.\n" +
+		"Supports TypeScript, Python, Go, and PHP.\n\n" +
+		"Examples:\n" +
+		"  core build sdk                    # Generate all configured SDKs\n" +
+		"  core build sdk --lang typescript  # Generate only TypeScript SDK\n" +
+		"  core build sdk --spec api.yaml    # Use specific OpenAPI spec")
+
+	var sdkSpec, sdkLang, sdkVersion string
+	var sdkDryRun bool
+	sdkBuildCmd.StringFlag("spec", "Path to OpenAPI spec file", &sdkSpec)
+	sdkBuildCmd.StringFlag("lang", "Generate only this language (typescript, python, go, php)", &sdkLang)
+	sdkBuildCmd.StringFlag("version", "Version to embed in generated SDKs", &sdkVersion)
+	sdkBuildCmd.BoolFlag("dry-run", "Show what would be generated without writing files", &sdkDryRun)
+	sdkBuildCmd.Action(func() error {
+		return runBuildSDK(sdkSpec, sdkLang, sdkVersion, sdkDryRun)
+	})
 }
 
 // runProjectBuild handles the main `core build` command with auto-detection.
@@ -516,6 +536,73 @@ func getBuilder(projectType build.ProjectType) (build.Builder, error) {
 	}
 }
 
+// --- SDK Build Logic ---
+
+func runBuildSDK(specPath, lang, version string, dryRun bool) error {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	projectDir, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get working directory: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Load config
+	config := sdk.DefaultConfig()
+	if specPath != "" {
+		config.Spec = specPath
+	}
+
+	s := sdk.New(projectDir, config)
+	if version != "" {
+		s.SetVersion(version)
+	}
+
+	fmt.Printf("%s Generating SDKs\n", buildHeaderStyle.Render("Build SDK:"))
+	if dryRun {
+		fmt.Printf("  %s\n", buildDimStyle.Render("(dry-run mode)"))
+	}
+	fmt.Println()
+
+	// Detect spec
+	detectedSpec, err := s.DetectSpec()
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Printf("%s %v\n", buildErrorStyle.Render("Error:"), err)
+		return err
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("  Spec:      %s\n", buildTargetStyle.Render(detectedSpec))
+
+	if dryRun {
+		if lang != "" {
+			fmt.Printf("  Language:  %s\n", buildTargetStyle.Render(lang))
+		} else {
+			fmt.Printf("  Languages: %s\n", buildTargetStyle.Render(strings.Join(config.Languages, ", ")))
+		}
+		fmt.Println()
+		fmt.Printf("%s Would generate SDKs (dry-run)\n", buildSuccessStyle.Render("OK:"))
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if lang != "" {
+		// Generate single language
+		if err := s.GenerateLanguage(ctx, lang); err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("%s %v\n", buildErrorStyle.Render("Error:"), err)
+			return err
+		}
+		fmt.Printf("  Generated: %s\n", buildTargetStyle.Render(lang))
+	} else {
+		// Generate all
+		if err := s.Generate(ctx); err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("%s %v\n", buildErrorStyle.Render("Error:"), err)
+			return err
+		}
+		fmt.Printf("  Generated: %s\n", buildTargetStyle.Render(strings.Join(config.Languages, ", ")))
+	}
+
+	fmt.Println()
+	fmt.Printf("%s SDK generation complete\n", buildSuccessStyle.Render("Success:"))
+	return nil
+}
+
 // --- PWA Build Logic ---
 
 func runPwaBuild(pwaURL string) error {
diff --git a/cmd/core/cmd/ci_release.go b/cmd/core/cmd/ci_release.go
index 0703634..3fb6b9b 100644
--- a/cmd/core/cmd/ci_release.go
+++ b/cmd/core/cmd/ci_release.go
@@ -45,20 +45,15 @@ func AddCIReleaseCommand(app *clir.Cli) {
 	var version string
 	var draft bool
 	var prerelease bool
-	var target string
 
 	releaseCmd.BoolFlag("dry-run", "Preview release without publishing", &dryRun)
 	releaseCmd.StringFlag("version", "Version to release (e.g., v1.2.3)", &version)
 	releaseCmd.BoolFlag("draft", "Create release as a draft", &draft)
 	releaseCmd.BoolFlag("prerelease", "Mark release as a prerelease", &prerelease)
-	releaseCmd.StringFlag("target", "CIRelease target (sdk)", &target)
 
-	// Default action for `core release`
+	// Default action for `core ci` - publish only (expects artifacts in dist/)
 	releaseCmd.Action(func() error {
-		if target == "sdk" {
-			return runCIReleaseSDK(dryRun, version)
-		}
-		return runCIRelease(dryRun, version, draft, prerelease)
+		return runCIPublish(dryRun, version, draft, prerelease)
 	})
 
 	// `release init` subcommand
@@ -86,8 +81,9 @@ func AddCIReleaseCommand(app *clir.Cli) {
 	})
 }
 
-// runCIRelease executes the main release workflow.
-func runCIRelease(dryRun bool, version string, draft, prerelease bool) error {
+// runCIPublish publishes pre-built artifacts from dist/.
+// It does NOT build - use `core build` first.
+func runCIPublish(dryRun bool, version string, draft, prerelease bool) error {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 
 	// Get current directory
@@ -120,14 +116,19 @@ func runCIRelease(dryRun bool, version string, draft, prerelease bool) error {
 	}
 
 	// Print header
-	fmt.Printf("%s Starting release process\n", releaseHeaderStyle.Render("CIRelease:"))
+	fmt.Printf("%s Publishing release\n", releaseHeaderStyle.Render("CI:"))
 	if dryRun {
 		fmt.Printf("  %s\n", releaseDimStyle.Render("(dry-run mode)"))
 	}
 	fmt.Println()
 
-	// Run the release
-	rel, err := release.Run(ctx, cfg, dryRun)
+	// Check for publishers
+	if len(cfg.Publishers) == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("no publishers configured in .core/release.yaml")
+	}
+
+	// Publish pre-built artifacts
+	rel, err := release.Publish(ctx, cfg, dryRun)
 	if err != nil {
 		fmt.Printf("%s %v\n", releaseErrorStyle.Render("Error:"), err)
 		return err
@@ -135,11 +136,11 @@ func runCIRelease(dryRun bool, version string, draft, prerelease bool) error {
 
 	// Print summary
 	fmt.Println()
-	fmt.Printf("%s CIRelease completed!\n", releaseSuccessStyle.Render("Success:"))
+	fmt.Printf("%s Publish completed!\n", releaseSuccessStyle.Render("Success:"))
 	fmt.Printf("  Version:   %s\n", releaseValueStyle.Render(rel.Version))
 	fmt.Printf("  Artifacts: %d\n", len(rel.Artifacts))
 
-	if !dryRun && len(cfg.Publishers) > 0 {
+	if !dryRun {
 		for _, pub := range cfg.Publishers {
 			fmt.Printf("  Published: %s\n", releaseValueStyle.Render(pub.Type))
 		}
@@ -148,50 +149,6 @@ func runCIRelease(dryRun bool, version string, draft, prerelease bool) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// runCIReleaseSDK executes SDK-only release.
-func runCIReleaseSDK(dryRun bool, version string) error {
-	ctx := context.Background()
-
-	projectDir, err := os.Getwd()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get working directory: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	// Load configuration
-	cfg, err := release.LoadConfig(projectDir)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to load config: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	// Apply CLI overrides
-	if version != "" {
-		cfg.SetVersion(version)
-	}
-
-	// Print header
-	fmt.Printf("%s Generating SDKs\n", releaseHeaderStyle.Render("SDK CIRelease:"))
-	if dryRun {
-		fmt.Printf("  %s\n", releaseDimStyle.Render("(dry-run mode)"))
-	}
-	fmt.Println()
-
-	// Run SDK release
-	result, err := release.RunSDK(ctx, cfg, dryRun)
-	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("%s %v\n", releaseErrorStyle.Render("Error:"), err)
-		return err
-	}
-
-	// Print summary
-	fmt.Println()
-	fmt.Printf("%s SDK generation complete!\n", releaseSuccessStyle.Render("Success:"))
-	fmt.Printf("  Version:   %s\n", releaseValueStyle.Render(result.Version))
-	fmt.Printf("  Languages: %v\n", result.Languages)
-	fmt.Printf("  Output:    %s/\n", releaseValueStyle.Render(result.Output))
-
-	return nil
-}
-
 // runCIReleaseInit creates a release configuration interactively.
 func runCIReleaseInit() error {
 	projectDir, err := os.Getwd()
diff --git a/cmd/core/cmd/sdk.go b/cmd/core/cmd/sdk.go
index e65a88d..f1c582d 100644
--- a/cmd/core/cmd/sdk.go
+++ b/cmd/core/cmd/sdk.go
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package cmd
 
 import (
-	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 
@@ -29,22 +28,16 @@ var (
 
 // AddSDKCommand adds the sdk command and its subcommands.
 func AddSDKCommand(app *clir.Cli) {
-	sdkCmd := app.NewSubCommand("sdk", "Generate and manage API SDKs")
-	sdkCmd.LongDescription("Generate typed API clients from OpenAPI specs.\n" +
-		"Supports TypeScript, Python, Go, and PHP.")
-
-	// sdk generate
-	genCmd := sdkCmd.NewSubCommand("generate", "Generate SDKs from OpenAPI spec")
-	var specPath, lang string
-	genCmd.StringFlag("spec", "Path to OpenAPI spec file", &specPath)
-	genCmd.StringFlag("lang", "Generate only this language", &lang)
-	genCmd.Action(func() error {
-		return runSDKGenerate(specPath, lang)
-	})
+	sdkCmd := app.NewSubCommand("sdk", "SDK validation and API compatibility tools")
+	sdkCmd.LongDescription("Tools for validating OpenAPI specs and checking API compatibility.\n" +
+		"To generate SDKs, use: core build sdk\n\n" +
+		"Commands:\n" +
+		"  diff      Check for breaking API changes\n" +
+		"  validate  Validate OpenAPI spec syntax")
 
 	// sdk diff
 	diffCmd := sdkCmd.NewSubCommand("diff", "Check for breaking API changes")
-	var basePath string
+	var basePath, specPath string
 	diffCmd.StringFlag("base", "Base spec (version tag or file)", &basePath)
 	diffCmd.StringFlag("spec", "Current spec file", &specPath)
 	diffCmd.Action(func() error {
@@ -59,42 +52,6 @@ func AddSDKCommand(app *clir.Cli) {
 	})
 }
 
-func runSDKGenerate(specPath, lang string) error {
-	ctx := context.Background()
-
-	projectDir, err := os.Getwd()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get working directory: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	// Load config
-	config := sdk.DefaultConfig()
-	if specPath != "" {
-		config.Spec = specPath
-	}
-
-	s := sdk.New(projectDir, config)
-
-	fmt.Printf("%s Generating SDKs\n", sdkHeaderStyle.Render("SDK:"))
-
-	if lang != "" {
-		// Generate single language
-		if err := s.GenerateLanguage(ctx, lang); err != nil {
-			fmt.Printf("%s %v\n", sdkErrorStyle.Render("Error:"), err)
-			return err
-		}
-	} else {
-		// Generate all
-		if err := s.Generate(ctx); err != nil {
-			fmt.Printf("%s %v\n", sdkErrorStyle.Render("Error:"), err)
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-
-	fmt.Printf("%s SDK generation complete\n", sdkSuccessStyle.Render("Success:"))
-	return nil
-}
-
 func runSDKDiff(basePath, specPath string) error {
 	projectDir, err := os.Getwd()
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/release/release.go b/pkg/release/release.go
index ba51ed0..699e354 100644
--- a/pkg/release/release.go
+++ b/pkg/release/release.go
@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ package release
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/build"
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/build/builders"
@@ -25,8 +27,116 @@ type Release struct {
 	ProjectDir string
 }
 
-// Run executes the release process: determine version, build artifacts,
+// Publish publishes pre-built artifacts from dist/ to configured targets.
+// Use this after `core build` to separate build and publish concerns.
+// If dryRun is true, it will show what would be done without actually publishing.
+func Publish(ctx context.Context, cfg *Config, dryRun bool) (*Release, error) {
+	if cfg == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("release.Publish: config is nil")
+	}
+
+	projectDir := cfg.projectDir
+	if projectDir == "" {
+		projectDir = "."
+	}
+
+	// Resolve to absolute path
+	absProjectDir, err := filepath.Abs(projectDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("release.Publish: failed to resolve project directory: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Step 1: Determine version
+	version := cfg.version
+	if version == "" {
+		version, err = DetermineVersion(absProjectDir)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("release.Publish: failed to determine version: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Step 2: Find pre-built artifacts in dist/
+	distDir := filepath.Join(absProjectDir, "dist")
+	artifacts, err := findArtifacts(distDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("release.Publish: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(artifacts) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("release.Publish: no artifacts found in dist/\nRun 'core build' first to create artifacts")
+	}
+
+	// Step 3: Generate changelog
+	changelog, err := Generate(absProjectDir, "", version)
+	if err != nil {
+		// Non-fatal: continue with empty changelog
+		changelog = fmt.Sprintf("Release %s", version)
+	}
+
+	release := &Release{
+		Version:    version,
+		Artifacts:  artifacts,
+		Changelog:  changelog,
+		ProjectDir: absProjectDir,
+	}
+
+	// Step 4: Publish to configured targets
+	if len(cfg.Publishers) > 0 {
+		pubRelease := publishers.NewRelease(release.Version, release.Artifacts, release.Changelog, release.ProjectDir)
+
+		for _, pubCfg := range cfg.Publishers {
+			publisher, err := getPublisher(pubCfg.Type)
+			if err != nil {
+				return release, fmt.Errorf("release.Publish: %w", err)
+			}
+
+			extendedCfg := buildExtendedConfig(pubCfg)
+			publisherCfg := publishers.NewPublisherConfig(pubCfg.Type, pubCfg.Prerelease, pubCfg.Draft, extendedCfg)
+			if err := publisher.Publish(ctx, pubRelease, publisherCfg, cfg, dryRun); err != nil {
+				return release, fmt.Errorf("release.Publish: publish to %s failed: %w", pubCfg.Type, err)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return release, nil
+}
+
+// findArtifacts discovers pre-built artifacts in the dist directory.
+func findArtifacts(distDir string) ([]build.Artifact, error) {
+	if _, err := os.Stat(distDir); os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("dist/ directory not found")
+	}
+
+	var artifacts []build.Artifact
+
+	entries, err := os.ReadDir(distDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to read dist/: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	for _, entry := range entries {
+		if entry.IsDir() {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		name := entry.Name()
+		path := filepath.Join(distDir, name)
+
+		// Include archives and checksums
+		if strings.HasSuffix(name, ".tar.gz") ||
+			strings.HasSuffix(name, ".zip") ||
+			strings.HasSuffix(name, ".txt") ||
+			strings.HasSuffix(name, ".sig") {
+			artifacts = append(artifacts, build.Artifact{Path: path})
+		}
+	}
+
+	return artifacts, nil
+}
+
+// Run executes the full release process: determine version, build artifacts,
 // generate changelog, and publish to configured targets.
+// For separated concerns, prefer using `core build` then `core ci` (Publish).
 // If dryRun is true, it will show what would be done without actually publishing.
 func Run(ctx context.Context, cfg *Config, dryRun bool) (*Release, error) {
 	if cfg == nil {