diff --git a/scripts/ci/detect_ci_change_areas.py b/scripts/ci/detect_ci_change_areas.py
index 483740854d9d..072e62f3070c 100644
--- a/scripts/ci/detect_ci_change_areas.py
+++ b/scripts/ci/detect_ci_change_areas.py
@@ -976,6 +976,17 @@ def is_macos_neutral(
     # executable inputs, so only Markdown outside that folder is neutral.
     if path.rsplit("/", 1)[-1] in {"CLAUDE.md", "AGENTS.md"}:
         return True
+    # Contributor-facing prose. These are read by people, never by a build:
+    # none is a bundle resource or an Xcode input. Keep this an exact list --
+    # THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES.md is also root Markdown, but it ships in
+    # Resources/ and is read by AboutLicenseContent.swift, so it stays
+    # macOS-relevant.
+    if path in {
+        "STYLE.md",
+        "CONTRIBUTING.md",
+        ".github/pull_request_template.md",
+    }:
+        return True
 
     if (
         path.startswith("Packages/iOS/")
diff --git a/tests/test_ci_change_areas.py b/tests/test_ci_change_areas.py
index defc9d6066ff..e54333b7f16e 100755
--- a/tests/test_ci_change_areas.py
+++ b/tests/test_ci_change_areas.py
@@ -509,6 +509,24 @@ def test_agent_instructions_and_skill_docs_skip_expensive_areas() -> None:
     )
 
 
+def test_contributor_prose_skips_expensive_areas() -> None:
+    assert_areas(
+        ["STYLE.md", "CONTRIBUTING.md", ".github/pull_request_template.md"],
+        macos=False,
+        web=False,
+    )
+    # The Release build is the expensive half of the waste: a writing-guidance
+    # edit used to select a universal app build.
+    assert module.classify_files(["STYLE.md"]).release_build is False
+
+
+def test_bundled_root_markdown_still_runs_macos() -> None:
+    # THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES.md is root Markdown like the files above, but it
+    # ships in Resources/ and AboutLicenseContent.swift reads it, so it is a
+    # real product input. This is the boundary the prose carveout must not cross.
+    assert_areas(["THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES.md"], macos=True, web=False)
+
+
 def test_bundled_and_executable_skill_files_run_macos() -> None:
     # The app bundles skills/cmux-cua as a folder resource.
     assert_areas(["skills/cmux-cua/SKILL.md"], macos=True, web=False)