diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-desktop.yml b/.github/workflows/release-desktop.yml
index 1cb7d2e6b4a..c7fb18d0553 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-desktop.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-desktop.yml
@@ -57,6 +57,8 @@ jobs:
         run: bun run compile:app
 
       # Build the Electron app for macOS
+      # Uses --publish never to prevent electron-builder from creating its own release
+      # The release job handles GitHub release creation
       - name: Build Electron app
         working-directory: apps/desktop
         env:
@@ -66,8 +68,7 @@ jobs:
           APPLE_ID: ${{ secrets.APPLE_ID }}
           APPLE_APP_SPECIFIC_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.APPLE_ID_PASSWORD }}
           APPLE_TEAM_ID: ${{ secrets.APPLE_TEAM_ID }}
-          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-        run: bun run package
+        run: bun run package -- --publish never
 
       # Upload artifacts separately to avoid nested zips
       - name: Upload DMG artifact
diff --git a/apps/desktop/create-release.sh b/apps/desktop/create-release.sh
index da404570d43..a9470836699 100755
--- a/apps/desktop/create-release.sh
+++ b/apps/desktop/create-release.sh
@@ -12,9 +12,10 @@
 # 1. Verify prerequisites (clean git, GitHub CLI authenticated)
 # 2. Delete existing release/tag if republishing same version
 # 3. Update package.json version
-# 4. Create and push a git tag to trigger the release workflow
-# 5. Monitor the GitHub Actions workflow in real-time
-# 6. Leave release as draft (default) or auto-publish with --publish flag
+# 4. Push changes and create a PR if not on main branch
+# 5. Create and push a git tag to trigger the release workflow
+# 6. Monitor the GitHub Actions workflow in real-time
+# 7. Leave release as draft (default) or auto-publish with --publish flag
 #
 # Features:
 # - Supports republishing: Running with same version will clean up and rebuild
@@ -180,12 +181,38 @@ else
     success "Committed version change"
 fi
 
-# 4. Push changes
+# 4. Push changes and create PR if needed
 info "Pushing changes to remote..."
 CURRENT_BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current)
 git push origin "${CURRENT_BRANCH}"
 success "Changes pushed to ${CURRENT_BRANCH}"
 
+# Create PR if not on main branch
+MAIN_BRANCH="main"
+if [ "${CURRENT_BRANCH}" != "${MAIN_BRANCH}" ]; then
+    # Check if PR already exists for this branch
+    EXISTING_PR=$(gh pr list --head "${CURRENT_BRANCH}" --json number --jq '.[0].number' 2>/dev/null || echo "")
+
+    if [ -n "$EXISTING_PR" ]; then
+        info "PR #${EXISTING_PR} already exists for branch ${CURRENT_BRANCH}"
+    else
+        info "Creating pull request..."
+        PR_URL=$(gh pr create \
+            --title "chore(desktop): bump version to ${VERSION}" \
+            --body "Bumps desktop app version to ${VERSION}.
+
+This PR was automatically created by the release script." \
+            --base "${MAIN_BRANCH}" \
+            --head "${CURRENT_BRANCH}" 2>&1)
+
+        if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
+            success "Pull request created: ${PR_URL}"
+        else
+            warn "Could not create PR: ${PR_URL}"
+        fi
+    fi
+fi
+
 # 5. Create and push tag
 info "Creating tag ${TAG_NAME}..."
 git tag "${TAG_NAME}"