diff --git a/.woodpecker/verify.yml b/.woodpecker/verify.yml
index 91f773e..8f1888f 100644
--- a/.woodpecker/verify.yml
+++ b/.woodpecker/verify.yml
@@ -8,17 +8,17 @@ clone:
     settings:
       lfs: false
 
-# Append [CI SKIP] to a commit message to bypass PR/dev verification when a change does not need tests.
 when:
   - event: pull_request
-    evaluate: 'not (CI_COMMIT_MESSAGE contains "[CI SKIP]")'
   - event: push
     branch: dev
-    evaluate: 'not (CI_COMMIT_MESSAGE contains "[CI SKIP]")'
 
 steps:
   - name: backend-tests
     image: bash
+    # [CI SKIP] omits tests only; web-build still runs.
+    when:
+      - evaluate: 'not (CI_COMMIT_MESSAGE contains "[CI SKIP]")'
     environment:
       NUGET_PACKAGES: /home/justme/.nuget/packages
     commands: