diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml b/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml
index 5fb7088..7fdc11b 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 #
 # Detection logic:
 #   1. Python: if requirements.txt exists → install deps, lint, test.
-#   2. Node/JS: if package.json exists → npm ci, lint, test, build.
+#   2. Node/JS: if package.json exists → install deps, lint, test, build.
 #   3. Neither detected → print a message and exit 0 (never fail).
 #
 # Controlled by .ci/config.env:
@@ -198,7 +198,17 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install Node dependencies
         if: env.HAS_NODE == 'true'
-        run: npm ci
+        run: |
+          # Prefer deterministic install when lockfile is healthy.
+          # Fallback to npm install if lockfile is out-of-sync.
+          if [ -f package-lock.json ]; then
+            if ! npm ci; then
+              echo "npm ci failed; falling back to npm install"
+              npm install
+            fi
+          else
+            npm install
+          fi
 
       # -----------------------------------------------------------------------
       # Step 9: Node.js — Lint (only if "lint" script exists in package.json)