diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/build.yml b/.gitea/workflows/build.yml
index bc9e21a..11afdbd 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/build.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/build.yml
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           python-version: ${{ env.PYTHON_VERSION }}
 
+      - name: Install Python build tools
+        run: pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel
+
       - name: Build sidecar
         working-directory: python
         run: python build_sidecar.py --cpu-only
@@ -73,9 +76,6 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions/setup-node@v4
         with:
           node-version: ${{ env.NODE_VERSION }}
-          # Note: 'cache: npm' requires the Gitea instance to have
-          # Actions cache configured. Remove this if caching is unavailable.
-          cache: npm
 
       - name: Install Rust stable
         uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@stable
@@ -86,6 +86,18 @@ jobs:
           sudo apt-get update
           sudo apt-get install -y libgtk-3-dev libwebkit2gtk-4.1-dev libappindicator3-dev librsvg2-dev patchelf
 
+      - name: Install system dependencies (macOS)
+        if: matrix.platform == 'macos'
+        run: |
+          brew install --quiet create-dmg || true
+
+      - name: Install system dependencies (Windows)
+        if: matrix.platform == 'windows'
+        shell: powershell
+        run: |
+          # Ensure Visual Studio Build Tools are available (usually pre-installed on runners)
+          Write-Host "Windows build environment ready"
+
       - name: Download sidecar artifact
         uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
         with:
@@ -143,6 +155,11 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
+      - name: Install required tools
+        run: |
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y jq curl
+
       - name: Download all app artifacts
         uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
         with:
@@ -167,6 +184,11 @@ jobs:
 
           echo "Release ID: ${RELEASE_ID}"
 
+          if [ "${RELEASE_ID}" = "null" ] || [ -z "${RELEASE_ID}" ]; then
+            echo "ERROR: Failed to create release. Check BUILD_TOKEN permissions."
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
           # Upload all artifacts
           find artifacts/ -type f \( -name "*.deb" -o -name "*.AppImage" -o -name "*.msi" -o -name "*.exe" -o -name "*.dmg" \) | while read file; do
             filename=$(basename "$file")