diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index edcb9f6..b162397 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -44,11 +44,15 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           $tag = "${{ github.ref_name }}"
           $version = $tag.TrimStart('v')
-          $isPrerelease = $version.Contains('-')
-          if ($isPrerelease) {
+          # Emit lowercase 'true'/'false' explicitly — PowerShell's boolean
+          # string-interpolation produces 'True'/'False' (capitalised), which
+          # softprops/action-gh-release@v2 silently treats as falsy.
+          if ($version.Contains('-')) {
+            $isPrerelease = 'true'
             $channel = ($version -split '-', 2)[1] -replace '\..*$', ''
             if ([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($channel)) { $channel = 'beta' }
           } else {
+            $isPrerelease = 'false'
             $channel = 'stable'
           }
           "version=$version"           >> $env:GITHUB_OUTPUT
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 6ebb75c..24e6e80 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.1.0-alpha.1] - 2026-05-30
+
+First packaged release. Cuts an alpha to exercise the release pipeline
+end-to-end and put the v1 feature set in front of real users.
+
 ### Added
 - **Unhandled-exception logging.** Exceptions that previously vanished into
   WinUI's "Continue?" debugger dialog (and would have crashed the process
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 32cf461..cce78d5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -8,15 +8,27 @@ Conceptually inspired by SnipCommand, with one defining difference: **the CLI is
 the top-level organising axis** — every Snip belongs to exactly one CLI (e.g.
 `pl-app`, `mpt-app`, `inv-app`).
 
-> Snipdeck is in early development. The list below describes what's actually
-> implemented today, not what's planned.
+> Snipdeck is alpha software. The list below describes what's actually
+> implemented today, not what's planned. See [`TODO.md`](TODO.md) for the
+> backlog and [`CHANGELOG.md`](CHANGELOG.md) for what's shipped.
 
 ## Status
 
-In active development. The data model, JSON store, substitution engine, settings,
-backup service, and first-run seed live in `Snipdeck.Core` and are covered by
-unit tests. The WinUI 3 UI shell, platform services, and Velopack updater are
-being layered on next.
+Alpha. **v0.1.0-alpha.1** is the first packaged release — see
+[Releases](https://github.com/StuartMeeks/Snipdeck/releases). It contains
+the full v1 feature set: browse CLIs and Snips, author Snips with structured
+parameters, fill and copy resolved commands, global hotkey, system tray with
+close-to-tray, theme switching, and Velopack-backed self-update.
+
+## Install
+
+Download `Snipdeck-alpha-Setup.exe` from the latest
+[release](https://github.com/StuartMeeks/Snipdeck/releases) and run it.
+The installer is unpackaged (no Microsoft Store, no MSIX) and Velopack
+handles self-update from then on.
+
+Windows 11 is the supported target — Mica backdrop only renders there;
+on Windows 10 it falls back to a solid colour.
 
 ## Stack