diff --git a/.github/dependabot.yml b/.github/dependabot.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..da09311d081
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# To get started with Dependabot version updates, you'll need to specify which
+# package ecosystems to update and where the package manifests are located.
+# Please see the documentation for all configuration options:
+# https://docs.github.com/code-security/dependabot/dependabot-version-updates/configuration-options-for-the-dependabot.yml-file
+
+version: 2
+updates:
+  - package-ecosystem: "gitsubmodule"
+    directory: "/"
+    schedule:
+      interval: "daily"
+      # Check for submodules updates at 7am UTC
+      time: "07:00"
+    labels:
+      - "submodules"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-only.yml b/.github/workflows/build-only.yml
index fb72b9349c3..6eb0e33abc1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-only.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-only.yml
@@ -21,9 +21,6 @@ jobs:
       with:
         ruby-version: 3.3.3
         bundler-cache: true # runs 'bundle install' and caches installed gems automatically
-    - name: Update Externals
-      run: |
-        git submodule update --init --remote
     - name: Build and test with Jekyll
       run: |
         bundle exec jekyll build --verbose --trace --config "_config.yml,_config_prod.yml" --profile
diff --git a/.github/workflows/deploy.yml b/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
index ea9ff94f45d..d762206fcc1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -22,14 +22,6 @@ jobs:
       with:
         ruby-version: '3.3.3' # matches Netlify of ruby version
         bundler-cache: true # runs 'bundle install' and caches installed gems automatically
-    - name: Update Externals
-      run: |
-        git submodule update --remote
-    - name: Commit changed files
-      uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
-      with:
-        commit_message: Apply automatic changes
-        branch: main
     - name: Build and test with Jekyll
       run: |
         export WAI_LIVE_SITE=true
diff --git a/netlify.toml b/netlify.toml
index 77ace67eb40..dd8756337ff 100644
--- a/netlify.toml
+++ b/netlify.toml
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 [context.production]
 # Applies to the staging environment, generated from the `main` branch.
-command = "git submodule update --init --remote && npm install && bundle exec jekyll build --profile --trace --config '_config.yml,_config_staging.yml'"
-# with debugging: command = "git submodule update --init --remote && bundle exec jekyll build --verbose --trace --config '_config.yml,_config_staging.yml'"
+command = "npm install && bundle exec jekyll build --profile --trace --config '_config.yml,_config_staging.yml'"
+# with debugging: command = "npm install && bundle exec jekyll build --verbose --trace --config '_config.yml,_config_staging.yml'"
 
 [context.deploy-preview]
 # Applies to deploy previews, generated from pull requests.