diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 48b1b6d..9b95b70 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          # Fetch base ref so golangci-lint can diff against it for only-new-issues.
+          fetch-depth: 0
 
       - name: Setup Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
@@ -62,3 +65,8 @@ jobs:
         with:
           version: latest
           args: --timeout=5m
+          # Legacy codebase has ~47 pre-existing lint issues (errcheck / unused
+          # carried over from upstream perfect-panel/server). Only flag NEW
+          # issues introduced by this PR so CI stays useful without forcing a
+          # mass cleanup. Backlog cleanup tracked separately.
+          only-new-issues: true