diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 3a936c4..5cf5c3c 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+- Alpha release readiness checks and documentation.
+
 ## v0.1.0-alpha.1 - 2025-01-30
 
 - Initial repository scaffold.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 209799e..d1423d5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -127,3 +127,14 @@ This will create a tarball (e.g., `localhostlabs-create-qvac-app-0.1.0-alpha.1.t
 containing only the files listed in the `files` field of `package.json`.
 
 CI runs the same health checks on pull requests and pushes to `main`.
+
+## Alpha release readiness
+
+- [x] Package version is `0.1.0-alpha.1` (alpha).
+- [x] CHANGELOG includes release notes for `v0.1.0-alpha.1`.
+- [x] `npm pack` builds successfully: run `pnpm build && npm pack`.
+- [x] Metadata checks passing (package name, bin, main, files fields).
+
+**Note:** The `"private": true` field prevents accidental publishing. When it is
+time to publish, `--access public` must be used and the `private` field should
+be removed or set to `false`.