diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yaml b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
index 46acb0c..0054e38 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
@@ -34,9 +34,10 @@ jobs:
           go-version: 1.21.x
         id: go
       - name: Checkout code at git ref
-        uses: actions/checkout@v3
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
         with:
           ref: ${{ inputs.gitRef }}
+          token: ${{ secrets.KUADRANT_DEV_PAT }}
       - name: Create release branch
         if: ${{ !startsWith(inputs.gitRef, 'release-v') }}
         run: |
@@ -47,11 +48,15 @@ jobs:
           VERSION=${{ inputs.limitadorOperatorVersion }} \
           LIMITADOR_VERSION=${{ inputs.limitadorVersion }}
       - name: Commit and push
-        run: |
-          git config --global user.name "github-actions[bot]"
-          git config --global user.email "github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
-          git add -A && git commit -s -m "Prepared release v${{ inputs.limitadorOperatorVersion }}"
-          git push origin release-v${{ inputs.limitadorOperatorVersion }}
+        uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
+        with:
+          commit_message: "Prepared release v${{ inputs.limitadorOperatorVersion }}"
+          commit_user_name: "github-actions[bot]"
+          commit_user_email: "github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
+          branch: release-v${{ inputs.limitadorOperatorVersion }}
+          create_branch: true
+          tagging_message: v${{ inputs.limitadorOperatorVersion }}
+          commit_options: '--signoff'
       - name: Create release
         uses: softprops/action-gh-release@v1
         with: