diff --git a/.github/workflows/amicode-release.yml b/.github/workflows/amicode-release.yml
index a1980b441..b89fc97d5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/amicode-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/amicode-release.yml
@@ -54,9 +54,26 @@ jobs:
           check() {
             local BIN="$1"
             test -f "$BIN"
-            # minified shape: `...general?.newLayoutDesigns,<VAR>)` with `<VAR>=!0` (on) / `=!1` (off)
+            # Shape A (current, since ead3274d3 "lock down appearance settings; force v2 layout"):
+            # settings.tsx sets `newLayoutDesigns: createMemo(() => true)` — unconditional, no
+            # channel dependency. Minifies to `newLayoutDesigns:<F>(()=>!0)`.
+            if grep -aq 'newLayoutDesigns:[A-Za-z$_]\{1,8\}(()=>!0)' "$BIN"; then
+              echo "OK: gate hardcoded ON (unconditional memo) in $BIN"
+              return 0
+            fi
+            # `if`, not `grep && { ... }` — under `set -e` a failing grep in an AND-list aborts
+            # the step with no message, which would silently pass as a green gate.
+            if grep -aq 'newLayoutDesigns:[A-Za-z$_]\{1,8\}(()=>!1)' "$BIN"; then
+              echo "FAIL: unconditional memo is OFF (=>!1) in $BIN"
+              exit 1
+            fi
+            # Shape B (legacy, channel-gated): `...general?.newLayoutDesigns,<VAR>)` with
+            # `<VAR>=!0` (on) / `=!1` (off). Kept so this check still works if the setting is
+            # ever wired back to the channel default.
             local VAR
-            VAR=$(grep -aoh 'newLayoutDesigns,[A-Za-z$_]\{1,8\})' "$BIN" | head -1 | sed 's/newLayoutDesigns,//; s/)//')
+            # `|| true` — under `set -o pipefail` a no-match grep would abort the step here with
+            # no message, so the "pattern not found" diagnostic below could never fire.
+            VAR=$( { grep -aoh 'newLayoutDesigns,[A-Za-z$_]\{1,8\})' "$BIN" || true; } | head -1 | sed 's/newLayoutDesigns,//; s/)//')
             test -n "$VAR" || { echo "FAIL: gate pattern not found in $BIN (minifier drift? update this check)"; exit 1; }
             grep -aq "[^A-Za-z0-9_\$]${VAR}=!0" "$BIN" \
               || { echo "FAIL: channel gate OFF (${VAR}=!1) in $BIN — built with channel latest/prod?"; exit 1; }