diff --git a/.github/workflows/README.md b/.github/workflows/README.md
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+# GitHub Workflows
+
+This directory contains the GitHub Actions workflows for the Hoptimator project.
+
+## Workflows
+
+### CI (`ci.yml`)
+**Purpose:** Fast feedback for pull requests and commits to main.
+
+**Triggers:**
+- Pull requests to `main`
+- Pushes to `main`
+
+**What it does:**
+- Validates Gradle wrapper for security
+- Builds the project (excluding integration tests and shadowJar)
+- Runs unit tests
+- Runs Checkstyle for code style validation
+- Runs SpotBugs for static analysis
+- Uploads test reports, Checkstyle results, and SpotBugs results on failure
+
+**Typical duration:** 5-10 minutes
+
+### Build and Test (`integration-tests.yml`)
+**Purpose:** Comprehensive testing with full integration test suite.
+
+**Triggers:**
+- Pull requests to `main`
+- Pushes to `main`
+
+**What it does:**
+- Full build including Docker images
+- Sets up a Kubernetes Kind cluster
+- Deploys required services (Kafka, Flink, etc.)
+- Runs integration tests
+- Captures extensive debugging information (logs, cluster state, etc.)
+
+**Typical duration:** 15-20 minutes
+
+### Publish release packages (`release.yml`)
+**Purpose:** Publishes release artifacts when a new release is created.
+
+**Triggers:**
+- Release created events
+
+**What it does:**
+- Validates Gradle wrapper
+- Publishes packages to JFrog and GitHub Packages
+
+## Development Workflow
+
+When you create a pull request:
+1. The **CI workflow** runs first, providing quick feedback on basic build and test issues
+2. The **Build and Test workflow** runs in parallel, validating integration tests
+3. Both must pass before the PR can be merged
+
+## Local Testing
+
+To run the same checks locally:
+
+```bash
+# Run what CI workflow runs
+./gradlew build -x intTest -x shadowJar
+
+# Run what Build and Test workflow runs (requires Kubernetes cluster)
+make build
+make integration-tests-kind
+```
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
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+name: CI
+
+on:
+  pull_request:
+    branches: [ "main" ]
+  push:
+    branches: [ "main" ]
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+jobs:
+  build-and-test:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+    
+    - name: Set up JDK 17
+      uses: actions/setup-java@v3
+      with:
+        java-version: '17'
+        distribution: 'temurin'
+        cache: 'gradle'
+    
+    - name: Validate Gradle wrapper
+      uses: gradle/wrapper-validation-action@v1
+    
+    - name: Build and run unit tests
+      run: ./gradlew build -x intTest -x shadowJar
+    
+    - name: Upload test results
+      if: failure()
+      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+      with:
+        name: test-results
+        path: |
+          **/build/reports/tests/test/
+          **/build/test-results/test/
+    
+    - name: Upload Checkstyle results
+      if: failure()
+      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+      with:
+        name: checkstyle-results
+        path: |
+          **/build/reports/checkstyle/
+    
+    - name: Upload SpotBugs results
+      if: failure()
+      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+      with:
+        name: spotbugs-results
+        path: |
+          **/build/reports/spotbugs/