diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 8e0c002c..6248b539 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -85,6 +85,8 @@ jobs:
             frontend/coverage/**
 
   e2e:
+    # Run only when a Cypress suite exists in the repo.
+    if: ${{ hashFiles('**/cypress.config.*') != '' }}
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     needs: [check]
 
@@ -136,7 +138,7 @@ jobs:
           npm run e2e -- --browser chrome
 
       - name: Upload Cypress artifacts
-        if: always()
+        if: failure()
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
         with:
           name: cypress-artifacts
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c5b86ac2..c6556190 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 
 [![CI](https://github.com/abhi1693/openclaw-mission-control/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/abhi1693/openclaw-mission-control/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
 
-
 Web UI + API for operating OpenClaw: managing boards, tasks, agents, approvals, and gateway connections.
 
 ## Active development
@@ -145,6 +144,14 @@ When running Cypress (`cd frontend && npm run e2e`), make sure `NEXT_PUBLIC_API_
 
 - Testing notes: [`docs/testing/README.md`](./docs/testing/README.md)
 
+### CI test suites (canonical commands)
+
+CI (`.github/workflows/ci.yml`) runs these suites on PRs:
+
+- **Backend**: `make backend-coverage` (includes `pytest` + coverage artifacts)
+- **Frontend**: `make frontend-test` (Vitest + coverage)
+- **E2E (Cypress)**: runs only when a `cypress.config.*` is present in the repo (job `e2e`).
+
 ### Coverage policy
 
 CI enforces a **scoped 100% coverage gate** (statements + branches) for a small set of unit-testable modules.