diff --git a/.github/workflows/nightly.yml b/.github/workflows/nightly.yml
index 6b75a7639..d6beb0f1d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/nightly.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/nightly.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Nightly binary builds — cross-compiled for 4 targets
+# Nightly binary builds — cross-compiled for 5 targets
 # APR-MONO: All deps are in-tree. No sibling repo checkouts needed.
 # Spec: docs/specifications/release-system.md
 #
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ jobs:
             echo "No commits in last 24h — skipping nightly build"
           fi
 
-  # ── Cross-compile binaries (4 targets) ───────────────────
+  # ── Cross-compile binaries (5 targets) ───────────────────
   build:
     needs: check-activity
     if: needs.check-activity.outputs.has_commits == 'true'
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ jobs:
         include:
           - target: x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu
             runner: ubuntu-latest
+          - target: aarch64-unknown-linux-gnu
+            runner: ubuntu-24.04-arm    # native ARM64, GA + free for public repos
           - target: x86_64-apple-darwin
             runner: macos-latest
           - target: aarch64-apple-darwin