diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml b/.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml
index ad5e5e01..88b1a857 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-and-test.yml
@@ -50,6 +50,15 @@ jobs:
       - name: Pack tarball
         if: matrix.node-version == '20.x'
         run: npm pack
+      - name: Install from tarball
+        if: matrix.node-version == '20.x'
+        run: npm install -g aws-agentcore-*.tgz
+      - name: Verify packaged CLI runs
+        if: matrix.node-version == '20.x'
+        run: |
+          agentcore --version
+          agentcore create --name sanitytest --language Python --framework Strands --model-provider Bedrock --memory none --json
+          test -f sanitytest/agentcore/agentcore.json
       - name: Upload tarball artifact
         if: matrix.node-version == '20.x'
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v7