diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 97fdfb7..45cc469 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -28,7 +28,9 @@ Getting started
 - Test: ./test.sh
 - Explore: src/cosmosmesh_privacy_preserving_federated_/ and src/cosmosmesh_privacy_preserving_federated_/catopt_bridge.py for the MVP scaffolding and the CatOpt bridge (lightweight interoperability layer).
 
-Notes
+- Publishing readiness
+- If you want to signal readiness for public publishing, create an empty file named READY_TO_PUBLISH in the repo root. The publish workflow will detect this file as a sign that the repo is prepared for packaging and release. This repository's pyproject.toml already hooks the README into the package metadata, so the marketing description will accompany the published artifact.
+- Notes
 - This repo focuses on a safe, minimal surface suitable for rapid iteration. Extend with adapters for rovers, habitats, and orbital assets, plus a delta-sync protocol and a light global-assembly layer in follow-on work.
 
 Changelog-style summary