diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-check.yml b/.github/workflows/release-check.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..faa90e3e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-check.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+# write a Github actions to verify the workflow "Python Client Tests" on the main branch ran successfully.
+name: Client Release Check
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - release-please--branches--tsmith/automate-release--components--cryoet-data-portal-python-client
+
+jobs:
+  release-check:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: check client tests on main
+        uses: actions/github-script@v7
+        with:
+          retries: 10
+          script: |
+            const { data } = await github.actions.listForRef({
+              owner: context.repo.owner,
+              repo: context.repo.repo,
+              ref: 'main',
+              check_name: 'Python Client Tests',
+              filter: 'latest',
+            });
+            if (data.workflow_runs[0].conclusion !== 'success') {
+              core.setFailed('Tests failed on main');
+            }