diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yaml b/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
index 8177fd7c6..555313bf3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@ jobs:
     steps:
     - name: Checkout repository
       uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      with:
-        fetch-depth: 0
 
     - name: Setup go
       uses: actions/setup-go@v5
@@ -70,13 +68,38 @@ jobs:
         max_attempts: 3
         command: make verify.generators
 
-  install-with-kustomize:
+  samples:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
     - name: Checkout repository
       uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+    - name: Setup go
+      uses: actions/setup-go@v5
       with:
-        fetch-depth: 0
+        go-version-file: go.mod
+
+    - name: Create k8s KinD Cluster
+      uses: helm/kind-action@v1.10.0
+
+    - uses: jdx/mise-action@v2
+      with:
+        install: false
+
+    - name: Verify installing CRDs via kustomize works
+      run: make install
+
+    - name: Install and delete each sample one by one
+      run: make test.samples
+
+    - name: Verify that uninstalling operator CRDs via kustomize works
+      run: make uninstall
+
+  install-with-kustomize:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+    - name: Checkout repository
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
     - name: Setup go
       uses: actions/setup-go@v5
@@ -122,8 +145,6 @@ jobs:
     steps:
     - name: checkout repository
       uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      with:
-        fetch-depth: 0
 
     - name: setup golang
       uses: actions/setup-go@v5
@@ -198,8 +219,6 @@ jobs:
     steps:
     - name: checkout repository
       uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      with:
-        fetch-depth: 0
 
     - name: setup golang
       uses: actions/setup-go@v5
@@ -251,8 +270,6 @@ jobs:
     steps:
     - name: checkout repository
       uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      with:
-        fetch-depth: 0
 
     - name: setup golang
       uses: actions/setup-go@v5
@@ -400,8 +417,6 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: checkout repository
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
-        with:
-          fetch-depth: 0
 
       - name: download tests report
         id: download-coverage
@@ -431,6 +446,7 @@ jobs:
       - install-with-kustomize
       - build
       - unit-tests
+      - samples
       # - conformance-tests
       - integration-tests
       - integration-tests-bluegreen
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index a649f710b..9e1bec8f8 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -372,6 +372,10 @@ test.conformance:
 		KGO_RELEASE=$(TAG)
 		GOTESTFLAGS="$(GOTESTFLAGS)"
 
+.PHONY: test.samples
+test.samples: kustomize
+	find ./config/samples -not -name "kustomization.*" -type f | xargs -I{} bash -c "kubectl apply -f {}; kubectl delete -f {}"
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Gateway API
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------