diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 549b311..d6d52aa 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ format and uses semantic versioning when versioned releases are published.
 
 ### Added
 
+- Added a release-readiness checklist for local verification and package review.
+
 - Initial project setup.
 
 ## Release Links
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a048ccb..1f36405 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -92,6 +92,10 @@ npm run smoke
 bash scripts/validate.sh
 ```
 
+## Release readiness
+
+Use [docs/release-readiness.md](docs/release-readiness.md) before opening release PRs or tagging a release.
+
 ## License
 
 MIT
diff --git a/docs/README.md b/docs/README.md
index bea55e4..1fdd192 100644
--- a/docs/README.md
+++ b/docs/README.md
@@ -6,3 +6,7 @@
 - `orchestration.json` gives machine-readable factory metadata.
 
 Generated audit reports can be written here with `scriptaudit scan . --out docs/SCRIPTS.md`.
+
+## Contents
+
+- [Release readiness](release-readiness.md)
diff --git a/docs/release-readiness.md b/docs/release-readiness.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f9d80ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/release-readiness.md
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# Release readiness
+
+Use this checklist before cutting a release or asking for a release review.
+
+## Local verification
+
+```sh
+npm install
+npm run check
+npm run test
+npm run smoke
+npm run package:smoke
+npm run release:check
+```
+
+## Package contents
+
+Run `npm run package:smoke` when available and review the dry-run file list for only the built runtime, README, license, and other intentional release assets.
+
+## Notes
+
+- Keep README examples aligned with the fixture-backed smoke command.
+- Do not publish until CI is green on the release branch.
+- Update CHANGELOG.md with user-facing changes before tagging.