Improve release readiness checks

.github/workflows/ci.yml

@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ jobs:
               npm run check --if-present
               npm test --if-present
               npm run build --if-present
+          npm run package:smoke --if-present
               npm run smoke --if-present
               npm run package:smoke --if-present
             fi
@@ -88,6 +89,7 @@ jobs:
               npm run check --if-present
               npm test --if-present
               npm run build --if-present
+          npm run package:smoke --if-present
               npm run smoke --if-present
               npm run package:smoke --if-present
             fi

README.md

@@ -71,3 +71,12 @@ MIT
 Run the release-readiness checks that match this package before publishing or opening a release PR.
 
 - `npm run build` - compile the package artifacts
+
+## Release Verification
+
+Before publishing or tagging a release, run the local verification path that matches CI:
+
+- `npm run release:check`
+- `npm run package:smoke`
+
+The release checklist in `docs/release-readiness.md` captures the package surface, CLI bins, and reviewer notes for future release PRs.

docs/release-readiness.md

@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+# Release Readiness
+
+Use this checklist before cutting a release or asking a reviewer to trust the package contents.
+
+## Public Package Surface
+
+- Package: `atomcommit`
+- Repository: `https://github.com/rogerchappel/atomcommit`
+- Published files are controlled by the `files` allowlist in `package.json`.
+
+## CLI Surface
+
+- `atomcommit` -> `./src/index.js`
+
+## Verification Commands
+
+- `npm run check`: `node --check src/index.js && node --test test/*.test.js`
+- `npm run test`: `node --test test/*.test.js`
+- `npm run build`: `node --check src/index.js`
+- `npm run smoke`: `bash scripts/smoke.sh`
+- `npm run package:smoke`: `npm pack --dry-run`
+- `npm run release:check`: `npm run check && npm run smoke && npm run package:smoke`
+
+Run `npm run release:check` when available before opening a release PR. When a command is unavailable, use the closest listed command and record the reason in the PR.
+
+## Reviewer Notes
+
+- Confirm README examples still match the CLI or module exports.
+- Confirm `npm pack --dry-run` does not include local fixtures, generated logs, or build caches beyond the intended allowlist.
+- Confirm GitHub Actions runs the same install and package smoke path used locally.