diff --git a/.github/actions/sync-workspace/action.yml b/.github/actions/sync-workspace/action.yml
index 1b408eb2..d7173284 100644
--- a/.github/actions/sync-workspace/action.yml
+++ b/.github/actions/sync-workspace/action.yml
@@ -33,7 +33,9 @@ runs:
 
     - name: Install boxel-cli
       shell: bash
-      run: npm install -g @cardstack/boxel-cli
+      run: |
+        npm install -g pnpm
+        pnpm add -g @cardstack/boxel-cli
 
     - name: Create boxel-cli profile
       shell: bash