diff --git a/.autorc b/.autorc
index 05487d3..cf03c00 100644
--- a/.autorc
+++ b/.autorc
@@ -2,15 +2,11 @@
     "onlyPublishWithReleaseLabel": true,
     "noDefaultLabels": true,
     "baseBranch": "main",
-    "author": "Chef Bot <chef@neurobagel.org>",
+    "author": "Neurobagel Bot <bot@neurobagel.org>",
     "noVersionPrefix": false,
-    "changelog": {
-        "message": "Update CHANGELOG.md [skip pre-commit.ci] [skip ci]"
-    },
     "plugins": [
         "git-tag",
         "released",
-        "protected-branch",
         "first-time-contributor",
         [
             "omit-commits",
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yaml b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
index 19195fd..627d68b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
@@ -10,10 +10,18 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     if: "!contains(github.event.head_commit.message, 'ci skip') && !contains(github.event.head_commit.message, 'skip ci')"
     steps:
+      - name: Generate a token
+        id: generate-token
+        uses: actions/create-github-app-token@v1
+        with:
+          app-id: ${{ vars.NB_BOT_ID }}
+          private-key: ${{ secrets.NB_BOT_KEY }}
+
       - name: Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0
+          token: ${{ steps.generate-token.outputs.token }}
 
       - name: Download latest auto
         run: |
@@ -24,5 +32,4 @@ jobs:
       - name: Release
         run: ~/auto shipit -vv
         env:
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NB_PAT_RELEASE }}
-          PROTECTED_BRANCH_REVIEWER_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NB_PAT_RELEASE_PROTECTED }}
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ steps.generate-token.outputs.token }}