diff --git a/.github/dependabot.yml b/.github/dependabot.yml
index 8e5296d..e8bd779 100644
--- a/.github/dependabot.yml
+++ b/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -3,10 +3,11 @@ updates:
   - package-ecosystem: "github-actions"
     directory: "/"
     schedule:
-      interval: "weekly"
+      interval: "quarterly"
     cooldown:
       default-days: 7
     groups:
-      github-actions:
+      actions-version-updates:
+        applies-to: version-updates # keep security PRs standalone + fast
         patterns:
           - "*"
diff --git a/project_name/.github/dependabot.yml b/project_name/.github/dependabot.yml
index b614fc4..ac149fe 100644
--- a/project_name/.github/dependabot.yml
+++ b/project_name/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -3,9 +3,10 @@ updates:
   - package-ecosystem: github-actions
     directory: /
     schedule:
-      interval: weekly
+      interval: quarterly
     cooldown:
       default-days: 7
     groups:
-      github-actions:
+      actions-version-updates:
+        applies-to: version-updates # keep security PRs standalone + fast
         patterns: ['*']