diff --git a/.github/workflows/benchmark.yml b/.github/workflows/benchmark.yml
index 802c8ca..750bc73 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/benchmark.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/benchmark.yml
@@ -3,8 +3,34 @@ name: Benchmark
 on:
   push:
     branches: [main]
+    # Benchmark inputs: C source, TS source, benchmarks, and build config.
+    # Docs-only and CI-only changes skip the workflow entirely.
+    paths:
+      - 'src/**'
+      - 'clay' # submodule pointer
+      - 'patches/**'
+      - 'Makefile'
+      - '*.ts'
+      - 'bench/**'
+      - 'tasks/**'
+      - 'deno.json'
+      - 'deno.lock'
+      - 'package.json'
+      - 'package-lock.json'
   pull_request:
     branches: [main]
+    paths:
+      - 'src/**'
+      - 'clay' # submodule pointer
+      - 'patches/**'
+      - 'Makefile'
+      - '*.ts'
+      - 'bench/**'
+      - 'tasks/**'
+      - 'deno.json'
+      - 'deno.lock'
+      - 'package.json'
+      - 'package-lock.json'
   # `workflow_dispatch` allows CodSpeed to trigger
   workflow_dispatch: