diff --git a/.github/manifest.yaml b/.github/manifest.yaml
index 78f6fb4..55fcdc9 100644
--- a/.github/manifest.yaml
+++ b/.github/manifest.yaml
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ ci:
       - go.mod
       - go.sum
     cli_version: v0.1.0
+    cli_version_sha: 9dc69a1f66753a3865c38c34eca5a931f677c803
     pin_mode: sha
     manifest_file: .github/manifest.yaml
     manifest_key: ci
diff --git a/.github/workflows/fleet-e2e.yaml b/.github/workflows/fleet-e2e.yaml
index aa658ef..2a1a032 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/fleet-e2e.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/fleet-e2e.yaml
@@ -324,6 +324,23 @@ jobs:
           RC_BARE="${RC_VERSION#v}"
           echo "RC_BARE=$RC_BARE" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
 
+          # Peel the rc tag to its commit SHA so the repin can SHA-pin each
+          # example repo's setup-cli self-action (cli_version_sha). cascade's
+          # release tags are annotated, so refs/tags/<rc> is a tag-object SHA,
+          # not a commit; ^{} dereferences to the underlying commit. A
+          # lightweight tag has no peeled ref, so fall back to the bare ref,
+          # which is already the commit.
+          RC_SHA=$(git ls-remote "https://github.com/${REPO}" "refs/tags/${RC_VERSION}^{}" | awk '{print $1}')
+          if [ -z "$RC_SHA" ]; then
+            RC_SHA=$(git ls-remote "https://github.com/${REPO}" "refs/tags/${RC_VERSION}" | awk '{print $1}')
+          fi
+          if ! printf '%s' "$RC_SHA" | grep -qE '^[0-9a-f]{40}$'; then
+            echo "::error::Could not resolve a commit SHA for tag ${RC_VERSION} (got '${RC_SHA}')"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          echo "Resolved ${RC_VERSION} to commit ${RC_SHA}"
+          echo "RC_SHA=$RC_SHA" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+
           TMPDIR=$(mktemp -d)
           echo "Downloading $RC_VERSION linux/amd64 archive from $REPO"
           gh release download "$RC_VERSION" \
@@ -370,6 +387,16 @@ jobs:
             # 1. Point the manifest cli_version at the rc.
             sed -i -E "s|^([[:space:]]*cli_version:[[:space:]]*).*$|\1${RC_VERSION}|" "$manifest"
 
+            # 1b. Pair cli_version_sha with the rc tag's peeled commit so the
+            #     regenerated setup-cli self-action ref is SHA-pinned (under
+            #     pin_mode: sha). Update it in place when present, else insert a
+            #     sibling line right after cli_version preserving its indent.
+            if grep -qE "^[[:space:]]*cli_version_sha:" "$manifest"; then
+              sed -i -E "s|^([[:space:]]*cli_version_sha:[[:space:]]*).*$|\1${RC_SHA}|" "$manifest"
+            else
+              sed -i -E "s|^([[:space:]]*)cli_version:([[:space:]]*).*$|&\n\1cli_version_sha:\2${RC_SHA}|" "$manifest"
+            fi
+
             # 2. Replace any other in-repo rc-version refs (e.g. an explicit
             #    setup-cli@v..-rc.. pin a suite hand-wrote) with the rc. Scope
             #    to tracked text files; the regen below rewrites generated
diff --git a/.github/workflows/orchestrate.yaml b/.github/workflows/orchestrate.yaml
index 5466455..b52d935 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/orchestrate.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/orchestrate.yaml
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ jobs:
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0
       - name: Setup CLI
-        uses: stablekernel/cascade/.github/actions/setup-cli@v0.1.0
+        uses: stablekernel/cascade/.github/actions/setup-cli@9dc69a1f66753a3865c38c34eca5a931f677c803 # v0.1.0
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CASCADE_STATE_TOKEN }}
           version: v0.1.0
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ jobs:
             echo "_No outputs produced_" >> "$GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY"
           fi
       - name: Setup CLI
-        uses: stablekernel/cascade/.github/actions/setup-cli@v0.1.0
+        uses: stablekernel/cascade/.github/actions/setup-cli@9dc69a1f66753a3865c38c34eca5a931f677c803 # v0.1.0
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CASCADE_STATE_TOKEN }}
           version: v0.1.0
diff --git a/.github/workflows/promote.yaml b/.github/workflows/promote.yaml
index c750e84..d2f858e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/promote.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/promote.yaml
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ jobs:
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0
       - name: Setup CLI
-        uses: stablekernel/cascade/.github/actions/setup-cli@v0.1.0
+        uses: stablekernel/cascade/.github/actions/setup-cli@9dc69a1f66753a3865c38c34eca5a931f677c803 # v0.1.0
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CASCADE_STATE_TOKEN }}
           version: v0.1.0
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@df4cb1c069e1874edd31b4311f1884172cec0e10 # v6.0.3
       - name: Setup CLI
-        uses: stablekernel/cascade/.github/actions/setup-cli@v0.1.0
+        uses: stablekernel/cascade/.github/actions/setup-cli@9dc69a1f66753a3865c38c34eca5a931f677c803 # v0.1.0
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CASCADE_STATE_TOKEN }}
           version: v0.1.0
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ jobs:
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0
       - name: Setup CLI
-        uses: stablekernel/cascade/.github/actions/setup-cli@v0.1.0
+        uses: stablekernel/cascade/.github/actions/setup-cli@9dc69a1f66753a3865c38c34eca5a931f677c803 # v0.1.0
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CASCADE_STATE_TOKEN }}
           version: v0.1.0
diff --git a/docs/public/manifest.schema.json b/docs/public/manifest.schema.json
index 0594ada..623c540 100644
--- a/docs/public/manifest.schema.json
+++ b/docs/public/manifest.schema.json
@@ -84,6 +84,11 @@
           "type": "string",
           "description": "cascade CLI version pinned into generated workflows (for example \"v1.0.0\"). Defaults to the pinned release tag when unset or \"latest\"."
         },
+        "cli_version_sha": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "pattern": "^[0-9a-f]{40}$",
+          "description": "40-character lowercase-hex commit SHA that cli_version resolves to. When set and pin_mode is sha, generated setup-cli self-action refs are pinned to this commit with cli_version carried as a trailing comment. Written by the version-bump automation, which peels the annotated cli_version tag to its commit."
+        },
         "tag_prefix": {
           "type": "string",
           "description": "Version tag prefix (default: \"v\")."
diff --git a/docs/src/content/docs/configuration.md b/docs/src/content/docs/configuration.md
index ae21f34..a67e7fa 100644
--- a/docs/src/content/docs/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/src/content/docs/configuration.md
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ ci:
 | `trunk_branch` | string | Yes | - | Main branch (e.g., `master`, `main`) |
 | `environments` | list | No | - | Promotion chain. Omit for no-env library/CLI projects. |
 | `cli_version` | string | No | latest | CLI version: `latest`, `beta`, or specific version (e.g., `v2.0.4`) |
+| `cli_version_sha` | string | No | - | 40-hex commit SHA that `cli_version` resolves to. With `pin_mode: sha`, the generated setup-cli ref is pinned to this commit. See [cli_version_sha](#cli_version_sha). |
 | `triggers` | list | No | - | Global path patterns that activate orchestration |
 | `tag_prefix` | string | No | `v` | Version tag prefix |
 | `release_token` | string | No | `state_token` if set, else `${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}` | Token expression for release API calls and the rc tag; inherits `state_token` when unset so the rc-to-release chain has a trigger-capable token |
@@ -111,6 +112,18 @@ Controls which CLI version the generated workflows install via setup-cli:
 
 Pin to a specific version for reproducibility. Use `beta` for early access.
 
+### cli_version_sha
+
+When `pin_mode: sha` is set, pair `cli_version` with `cli_version_sha`, the 40-character lowercase-hex commit SHA that the `cli_version` tag resolves to. The generated setup-cli ref is then pinned to that immutable commit, with `cli_version` carried as a trailing comment:
+
+```yaml
+uses: stablekernel/cascade/.github/actions/setup-cli@9dc69a1f66753a3865c38c34eca5a931f677c803 # v0.1.0
+```
+
+The `with: version:` input the action reads to select the release asset stays the human-readable tag, so only the action source is pinned to a commit.
+
+This closes the supply-chain gap where the cascade self-action was referenced by a mutable tag while third-party actions were already SHA-pinned. The field is optional and only takes effect under `pin_mode: sha`; leave it unset (or use the default `pin_mode: tag`) to keep the tag-based ref. Set `cli_version_sha` alongside `cli_version` whenever you bump the pinned version. Because cascade release tags are annotated, resolve the underlying commit (not the tag object) with `git ls-remote https://github.com/stablekernel/cascade 'refs/tags/<tag>^{}'`.
+
 ### Token authentication
 
 Two seams call GitHub on cascade's behalf: `release_token` for release API calls and `state_token` for writing manifest state back to the trunk branch. Both default to `${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}`, which is enough for a single-repo project whose trunk is unprotected. When the default token cannot do the job, supply your own token through one of two paths: a static secret (PAT) or a GitHub App.
diff --git a/internal/config/schema_v1_test.go b/internal/config/schema_v1_test.go
index 7449d08..03dcfe2 100644
--- a/internal/config/schema_v1_test.go
+++ b/internal/config/schema_v1_test.go
@@ -610,6 +610,24 @@ func TestValidateConfigLevelRules(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Fatalf("expected pin_mode rejection, got %v", errs)
 		}
 	})
+	t.Run("cli_version_sha non-hex rejected", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := parseInline(t, "cli_version_sha: not-a-sha\n")
+		if errs := Validate(cfg); !hasErrContaining(errs, "cli_version_sha must be a 40-character lowercase hex commit SHA") {
+			t.Fatalf("expected cli_version_sha rejection, got %v", errs)
+		}
+	})
+	t.Run("cli_version_sha short hex rejected", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := parseInline(t, "cli_version_sha: 9dc69a1f\n")
+		if errs := Validate(cfg); !hasErrContaining(errs, "cli_version_sha must be a 40-character lowercase hex commit SHA") {
+			t.Fatalf("expected short cli_version_sha rejection, got %v", errs)
+		}
+	})
+	t.Run("cli_version_sha valid 40-hex accepted", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := parseInline(t, "cli_version_sha: 9dc69a1f66753a3865c38c34eca5a931f677c803\n")
+		if errs := Validate(cfg); hasErrContaining(errs, "cli_version_sha") {
+			t.Fatalf("expected valid cli_version_sha to pass, got %v", errs)
+		}
+	})
 	t.Run("reserved dispatch input shadow rejected", func(t *testing.T) {
 		cfg := parseInline(t, `
 dispatch_inputs:
diff --git a/internal/config/types.go b/internal/config/types.go
index e81cf6e..387ab1b 100644
--- a/internal/config/types.go
+++ b/internal/config/types.go
@@ -125,6 +125,12 @@ type TrunkConfig struct {
 	ReleaseTrigger string `yaml:"release_trigger,omitempty" json:"release_trigger,omitempty"`
 	Environments  []string `yaml:"environments,omitempty" json:"environments,omitempty"`   // Empty = no-environment setup (library/CLI projects)
 	CLIVersion    string   `yaml:"cli_version,omitempty" json:"cli_version,omitempty"`     // cascade CLI version (e.g., v1.0.0)
+	// CLIVersionSHA is the 40-hex commit SHA that cli_version resolves to. When
+	// set and pin_mode is sha, generated setup-cli self-action refs are pinned to
+	// this commit with cli_version carried as a trailing comment; otherwise the
+	// version tag is emitted (today's behavior). The bump automation peels the
+	// annotated cli_version tag to its commit and writes this.
+	CLIVersionSHA string `yaml:"cli_version_sha,omitempty" json:"cli_version_sha,omitempty"`
 	TagPrefix     string   `yaml:"tag_prefix,omitempty" json:"tag_prefix,omitempty"`       // Version tag prefix (default: "v")
 	ReleaseToken  string   `yaml:"release_token,omitempty" json:"release_token,omitempty"` // GitHub secret name for release operations (default: "GITHUB_TOKEN")
 	StateToken    string   `yaml:"state_token,omitempty" json:"state_token,omitempty"`     // Token expression for writing manifest state to the trunk branch (default: "GITHUB_TOKEN")
diff --git a/internal/config/validate_v1.go b/internal/config/validate_v1.go
index 3621b1d..0f40799 100644
--- a/internal/config/validate_v1.go
+++ b/internal/config/validate_v1.go
@@ -56,6 +56,9 @@ var validRolloutTypes = map[string]bool{
 // ID and the ${{ }} dereferences that read its outputs.
 var jobIDSafeNameRe = regexp.MustCompile(`^[A-Za-z0-9_-]+$`)
 
+// commitSHARe matches a full 40-character lowercase-hex Git commit SHA.
+var commitSHARe = regexp.MustCompile(`^[0-9a-f]{40}$`)
+
 // validateJobIDSafeName rejects a name that would produce an invalid GitHub
 // Actions job ID or break the expression references derived from it. Names are
 // rejected (not sanitized) on purpose: sanitizing distinct names could collapse
@@ -278,6 +281,13 @@ func validateConfigLevel(cfg *TrunkConfig) []string {
 		errs = append(errs, "pin_mode must be one of: tag, sha")
 	}
 
+	// cli_version_sha, when set, must be a 40-char lowercase-hex commit SHA so it
+	// can be SHA-pinned into the generated setup-cli refs without producing a
+	// broken, unresolvable ref.
+	if cfg.CLIVersionSHA != "" && !commitSHARe.MatchString(cfg.CLIVersionSHA) {
+		errs = append(errs, "cli_version_sha must be a 40-character lowercase hex commit SHA")
+	}
+
 	// release_trigger must be push or dispatch.
 	if cfg.ReleaseTrigger != "" && cfg.ReleaseTrigger != ReleaseTriggerPush && cfg.ReleaseTrigger != ReleaseTriggerDispatch {
 		errs = append(errs, "release_trigger must be one of: push, dispatch")
diff --git a/internal/generate/action_pins.go b/internal/generate/action_pins.go
index db4476d..fc59a1b 100644
--- a/internal/generate/action_pins.go
+++ b/internal/generate/action_pins.go
@@ -82,6 +82,30 @@ func actionRef(cfg *config.TrunkConfig, action string) string {
 	return action + "@" + pin.tag
 }
 
+// cliSetupRef returns the ref portion emitted after "setup-cli@" for cascade's
+// own self-action. It returns a 40-hex commit SHA with a trailing "# <version>"
+// comment when pin_mode is sha and cli_version_sha is set, otherwise the
+// cli_version tag (today's behavior). "beta" always opts into the master trunk.
+//
+// Unlike third-party actions (resolved by actionRef against a static pin table),
+// the self-action SHA tracks cli_version, which moves every release, so it is
+// sourced from the manifest (written by the bump automation) rather than a baked
+// constant. Generation stays a pure offline function of the committed manifest.
+//
+// Precedence: beta (master) > (pin_mode sha AND cli_version_sha set) > tag. An
+// empty cli_version_sha under pin_mode sha degrades gracefully to the tag,
+// never a broken ref.
+func cliSetupRef(cfg *config.TrunkConfig) string {
+	if cfg.CLIVersion == "beta" {
+		return "master" // Explicit opt-in escape hatch to trunk.
+	}
+	version := cfg.GetCLIVersion()
+	if cfg.GetPinMode() == config.PinModeSHA && cfg.CLIVersionSHA != "" {
+		return cfg.CLIVersionSHA + " # " + version
+	}
+	return version
+}
+
 // writeActionStep writes a "<indent>- uses: <ref>\n" line for a third-party
 // action, routing the ref through actionRef so the pin policy is applied. Pass
 // the leading indentation (spaces before "- ").
diff --git a/internal/generate/action_pins_test.go b/internal/generate/action_pins_test.go
index 8109aa0..ae448d1 100644
--- a/internal/generate/action_pins_test.go
+++ b/internal/generate/action_pins_test.go
@@ -99,6 +99,87 @@ func TestActionRef_NilConfigSafe(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, actionCheckout+"@"+defaultActionPins[actionCheckout].tag, actionRef(nil, actionCheckout))
 }
 
+// TestCLISetupRef covers the self-action ref resolution: the version tag in tag
+// mode (today's behavior), the 40-hex commit SHA with a trailing version comment
+// when pin_mode is sha and cli_version_sha is set, graceful fallback to the tag
+// when the SHA is absent, and the beta -> master escape hatch.
+//
+// There is no act+gitea e2e scenario for this feature. The e2e harness localizes
+// cross-repo self-references (stablekernel/cascade/.github/actions/setup-cli@<ref>
+// -> ./.github/actions/setup-cli) before running act, so the pinned ref is erased
+// before the workflow executes and no in-container assertion can observe it. Unit
+// coverage here (cliSetupRef) plus the regenerated cascade orchestrate.yaml /
+// promote.yaml showing @9dc69a1f... # v0.1.0 are the proof of correctness.
+func TestCLISetupRef(t *testing.T) {
+	const sha = "9dc69a1f66753a3865c38c34eca5a931f677c803"
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		cfg  *config.TrunkConfig
+		want string
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "tag default when cli_version unset",
+			cfg:  &config.TrunkConfig{},
+			want: config.DefaultCLIVersion,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "explicit tag in tag mode",
+			cfg:  &config.TrunkConfig{CLIVersion: "v1.2.3", PinMode: config.PinModeTag},
+			want: "v1.2.3",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "sha mode with sha set emits sha and version comment",
+			cfg:  &config.TrunkConfig{CLIVersion: "v1.2.3", PinMode: config.PinModeSHA, CLIVersionSHA: sha},
+			want: sha + " # v1.2.3",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "sha mode without sha falls back to tag",
+			cfg:  &config.TrunkConfig{CLIVersion: "v1.2.3", PinMode: config.PinModeSHA},
+			want: "v1.2.3",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "tag mode ignores a set sha",
+			cfg:  &config.TrunkConfig{CLIVersion: "v1.2.3", PinMode: config.PinModeTag, CLIVersionSHA: sha},
+			want: "v1.2.3",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "beta opts into master regardless of pin mode",
+			cfg:  &config.TrunkConfig{CLIVersion: "beta", PinMode: config.PinModeSHA, CLIVersionSHA: sha},
+			want: "master",
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.want, cliSetupRef(tt.cfg))
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestPinPolicy_E2E_SelfActionSHAPinned asserts that when pin_mode is sha and
+// cli_version_sha is set, every generated setup-cli self-action ref in the
+// orchestrate output is pinned to the 40-hex commit with cli_version carried as a
+// trailing comment, and the bare version-tag uses: ref no longer appears. This is
+// the generator-level end-to-end proof; the act+gitea harness cannot observe this
+// because it localizes the cross-repo self-ref before running act (see TestCLISetupRef
+// for a full explanation).
+func TestPinPolicy_E2E_SelfActionSHAPinned(t *testing.T) {
+	const sha = "9dc69a1f66753a3865c38c34eca5a931f677c803"
+	cfg, tmpDir := newPinE2EConfig(t)
+	cfg.CLIVersion = "v0.1.0"
+	cfg.CLIVersionSHA = sha
+
+	out, err := NewGenerator(cfg, tmpDir).Generate()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	const action = "stablekernel/cascade/.github/actions/setup-cli"
+	assert.Contains(t, out, action+"@"+sha+" # v0.1.0",
+		"self-action must be SHA-pinned with a version comment")
+	assert.NotContains(t, out, "uses: "+action+"@v0.1.0\n",
+		"the bare version tag must not remain as a uses: ref once SHA-pinned")
+}
+
 // newPinE2EConfig builds a manifest exercising the orchestrate, build, deploy,
 // and release emission paths so the generated workflow contains every
 // third-party uses: line the pin policy governs.
diff --git a/internal/generate/drift_check.go b/internal/generate/drift_check.go
index ce5cbbd..4e5508f 100644
--- a/internal/generate/drift_check.go
+++ b/internal/generate/drift_check.go
@@ -65,10 +65,7 @@ func (g *DriftCheckGenerator) commentEnabled() bool {
 // (cli_version unset or "latest") resolves to an immutable release tag, so
 // consumers never run an unpinned mutable ref; "beta" opts in to "master".
 func (g *DriftCheckGenerator) getCLIRef() string {
-	if g.config.CLIVersion == "beta" {
-		return "master"
-	}
-	return g.config.GetCLIVersion()
+	return cliSetupRef(g.config)
 }
 
 // Generate creates the pull_request drift-check workflow content.
diff --git a/internal/generate/external.go b/internal/generate/external.go
index 47eb3d3..7a419d7 100644
--- a/internal/generate/external.go
+++ b/internal/generate/external.go
@@ -26,10 +26,7 @@ func NewExternalUpdateGenerator(cfg *config.TrunkConfig, baseDir string) *Extern
 // immutable release tag, so consumers never run an unpinned mutable ref.
 // "beta" is the explicit opt-in escape hatch to the "master" branch.
 func (g *ExternalUpdateGenerator) getCLIRef() string {
-	if g.config.CLIVersion == "beta" {
-		return "master" // Explicit opt-in escape hatch to trunk.
-	}
-	return g.config.GetCLIVersion()
+	return cliSetupRef(g.config)
 }
 
 // getReleaseTokenRef returns the token expression for release operations.
diff --git a/internal/generate/generator.go b/internal/generate/generator.go
index 4c09e3a..cdbdfde 100644
--- a/internal/generate/generator.go
+++ b/internal/generate/generator.go
@@ -191,18 +191,13 @@ func (g *Generator) anyAutoCommits() bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-// getCLIRef returns the Git ref to use for the cascade self-action. The default
-// (cli_version unset or "latest") resolves to config.DefaultCLIVersion, an
-// immutable release tag, so consumers never run an unpinned mutable ref.
-// Supported values:
-//   - unset / "latest" → config.DefaultCLIVersion (immutable, pinned default)
-//   - "beta" → "master" branch (explicit opt-in, bleeding edge, may be unstable)
-//   - "vX.Y.Z" → that specific version tag
+// getCLIRef returns the ref emitted after "setup-cli@" for the cascade
+// self-action. It delegates to cliSetupRef, the single policy seam shared by
+// every generator, which resolves cli_version to an immutable release tag (or a
+// 40-hex commit SHA with a version comment under pin_mode: sha) so consumers
+// never run an unpinned mutable ref.
 func (g *Generator) getCLIRef() string {
-	if g.config.CLIVersion == "beta" {
-		return "master" // Explicit opt-in escape hatch to trunk.
-	}
-	return g.config.GetCLIVersion()
+	return cliSetupRef(g.config)
 }
 
 // getReleaseTokenRef returns the token expression for release operations.
diff --git a/internal/generate/hotfix.go b/internal/generate/hotfix.go
index 6d06ebb..29c9d8e 100644
--- a/internal/generate/hotfix.go
+++ b/internal/generate/hotfix.go
@@ -83,10 +83,7 @@ func (g *HotfixGenerator) targetEnvs() []string {
 // unset or "latest") resolves to config.DefaultCLIVersion, an immutable release
 // tag; "beta" is the explicit opt-in escape hatch to the "master" branch.
 func (g *HotfixGenerator) getCLIRef() string {
-	if g.config.CLIVersion == "beta" {
-		return "master" // Explicit opt-in escape hatch to trunk.
-	}
-	return g.config.GetCLIVersion()
+	return cliSetupRef(g.config)
 }
 
 // getManifestFilePath returns the repo-relative manifest path for use in the
diff --git a/internal/generate/merge_queue.go b/internal/generate/merge_queue.go
index 10b090a..3904f66 100644
--- a/internal/generate/merge_queue.go
+++ b/internal/generate/merge_queue.go
@@ -42,10 +42,7 @@ func (g *MergeQueueGenerator) Enabled() bool {
 // unset or "latest") resolves to config.DefaultCLIVersion, an immutable release
 // tag; "beta" is the explicit opt-in escape hatch to the "master" branch.
 func (g *MergeQueueGenerator) getCLIRef() string {
-	if g.config.CLIVersion == "beta" {
-		return "master" // Explicit opt-in escape hatch to trunk.
-	}
-	return g.config.GetCLIVersion()
+	return cliSetupRef(g.config)
 }
 
 // getManifestFilePath returns the repo-relative manifest path for use in the
diff --git a/internal/generate/pr_preview.go b/internal/generate/pr_preview.go
index ed24f6b..bd3f813 100644
--- a/internal/generate/pr_preview.go
+++ b/internal/generate/pr_preview.go
@@ -39,10 +39,7 @@ func NewPRPreviewGenerator(cfg *config.TrunkConfig, baseDir string) *PRPreviewGe
 // immutable release tag, so consumers never run an unpinned mutable ref.
 // "beta" is the explicit opt-in escape hatch to the "master" branch.
 func (g *PRPreviewGenerator) getCLIRef() string {
-	if g.config.CLIVersion == "beta" {
-		return "master" // Explicit opt-in escape hatch to trunk.
-	}
-	return g.config.GetCLIVersion()
+	return cliSetupRef(g.config)
 }
 
 // commentEnabled reports whether the preview should also post a PR comment.
diff --git a/internal/generate/promote.go b/internal/generate/promote.go
index fc60188..1882c7e 100644
--- a/internal/generate/promote.go
+++ b/internal/generate/promote.go
@@ -47,10 +47,7 @@ func (g *PromoteGenerator) SetState(state map[string]*config.EnvState) {
 //   - "beta" → "master" branch (explicit opt-in, bleeding edge, may be unstable)
 //   - "vX.Y.Z" → that specific version tag
 func (g *PromoteGenerator) getCLIRef() string {
-	if g.config.CLIVersion == "beta" {
-		return "master" // Explicit opt-in escape hatch to trunk.
-	}
-	return g.config.GetCLIVersion()
+	return cliSetupRef(g.config)
 }
 
 // getReleaseTokenRef returns the token expression for release operations.
diff --git a/internal/generate/release.go b/internal/generate/release.go
index 0041f49..dc8f042 100644
--- a/internal/generate/release.go
+++ b/internal/generate/release.go
@@ -30,10 +30,7 @@ func NewReleaseGenerator(cfg *config.TrunkConfig, baseDir string) *ReleaseGenera
 //   - "beta" → "master" branch (explicit opt-in, bleeding edge, may be unstable)
 //   - "vX.Y.Z" → that specific version tag
 func (g *ReleaseGenerator) getCLIRef() string {
-	if g.config.CLIVersion == "beta" {
-		return "master" // Explicit opt-in escape hatch to trunk.
-	}
-	return g.config.GetCLIVersion()
+	return cliSetupRef(g.config)
 }
 
 // getReleaseTokenRef returns the token expression for release operations.
diff --git a/internal/generate/rollback.go b/internal/generate/rollback.go
index 766430d..095f613 100644
--- a/internal/generate/rollback.go
+++ b/internal/generate/rollback.go
@@ -67,10 +67,7 @@ func (g *RollbackGenerator) paramRead(name string) string {
 // escape hatch to the "master" branch; everything else resolves through
 // GetCLIVersion (which pins "" / "latest" to the immutable default).
 func (g *RollbackGenerator) getCLIRef() string {
-	if g.config.CLIVersion == "beta" {
-		return "master" // Explicit opt-in escape hatch to trunk.
-	}
-	return g.config.GetCLIVersion()
+	return cliSetupRef(g.config)
 }
 
 // getReleaseTokenRef returns the token expression for deploy/release operations.
diff --git a/internal/generate/validate_check.go b/internal/generate/validate_check.go
index 4f0b389..1833006 100644
--- a/internal/generate/validate_check.go
+++ b/internal/generate/validate_check.go
@@ -38,10 +38,7 @@ func (g *ValidateCheckGenerator) Enabled() bool {
 // unset or "latest") resolves to config.DefaultCLIVersion, an immutable release
 // tag; "beta" is the explicit opt-in escape hatch to the "master" branch.
 func (g *ValidateCheckGenerator) getCLIRef() string {
-	if g.config.CLIVersion == "beta" {
-		return "master" // Explicit opt-in escape hatch to trunk.
-	}
-	return g.config.GetCLIVersion()
+	return cliSetupRef(g.config)
 }
 
 // getManifestFilePath returns the repo-relative manifest path for use in the
diff --git a/internal/schema/manifest.schema.json b/internal/schema/manifest.schema.json
index 0594ada..623c540 100644
--- a/internal/schema/manifest.schema.json
+++ b/internal/schema/manifest.schema.json
@@ -84,6 +84,11 @@
           "type": "string",
           "description": "cascade CLI version pinned into generated workflows (for example \"v1.0.0\"). Defaults to the pinned release tag when unset or \"latest\"."
         },
+        "cli_version_sha": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "pattern": "^[0-9a-f]{40}$",
+          "description": "40-character lowercase-hex commit SHA that cli_version resolves to. When set and pin_mode is sha, generated setup-cli self-action refs are pinned to this commit with cli_version carried as a trailing comment. Written by the version-bump automation, which peels the annotated cli_version tag to its commit."
+        },
         "tag_prefix": {
           "type": "string",
           "description": "Version tag prefix (default: \"v\")."
diff --git a/schema/manifest.schema.json b/schema/manifest.schema.json
index 0594ada..623c540 100644
--- a/schema/manifest.schema.json
+++ b/schema/manifest.schema.json
@@ -84,6 +84,11 @@
           "type": "string",
           "description": "cascade CLI version pinned into generated workflows (for example \"v1.0.0\"). Defaults to the pinned release tag when unset or \"latest\"."
         },
+        "cli_version_sha": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "pattern": "^[0-9a-f]{40}$",
+          "description": "40-character lowercase-hex commit SHA that cli_version resolves to. When set and pin_mode is sha, generated setup-cli self-action refs are pinned to this commit with cli_version carried as a trailing comment. Written by the version-bump automation, which peels the annotated cli_version tag to its commit."
+        },
         "tag_prefix": {
           "type": "string",
           "description": "Version tag prefix (default: \"v\")."