diff --git a/.github/workflows/e2e.yml b/.github/workflows/e2e.yml
index 69d60dd18bd..2ab7dfadcd8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/e2e.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/e2e.yml
@@ -232,7 +232,14 @@ jobs:
         env:
           TEST_FILES_JSON: ${{ inputs.test_files }}
         run: |
-          mapfile -t TEST_FILES < <(jq -r '.[]' <<<"$TEST_FILES_JSON")
+          mapfile -t TEST_FILES < <(jq -r '.[] | select(
+            . != "tests/e2e/ssh-startup-exec-readiness.spec.ts" and
+            . != "tests/e2e/paired-startup-exec-readiness.spec.ts"
+          )' <<<"$TEST_FILES_JSON")
+          if [ "${#TEST_FILES[@]}" -eq 0 ]; then
+            echo "Changed startup-readiness specs are owned by the dedicated live lane."
+            exit 0
+          fi
           xvfb-run --auto-servernum env SKIP_BUILD=1 ORCA_E2E_FORWARD_APP_LOGS=1 \
             pnpm run test:e2e "${TEST_FILES[@]}" --workers=1
 
diff --git a/config/scripts/pr-e2e-gate-contract.test.mjs b/config/scripts/pr-e2e-gate-contract.test.mjs
index 89022da2d46..d44039a2ca8 100644
--- a/config/scripts/pr-e2e-gate-contract.test.mjs
+++ b/config/scripts/pr-e2e-gate-contract.test.mjs
@@ -72,6 +72,9 @@ describe('PR E2E gate contract', () => {
       (step) => step.name === 'Run changed E2E specs'
     )
     expect(changedRun.env.TEST_FILES_JSON).toBe('${{ inputs.test_files }}')
+    expect(changedRun.run).toContain('. != "tests/e2e/ssh-startup-exec-readiness.spec.ts"')
+    expect(changedRun.run).toContain('. != "tests/e2e/paired-startup-exec-readiness.spec.ts"')
+    expect(changedRun.run).toContain('if [ "${#TEST_FILES[@]}" -eq 0 ]')
     expect(changedRun.run).toContain('pnpm run test:e2e "${TEST_FILES[@]}" --workers=1')
   })