diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cabb074..ff54e93 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -121,6 +121,23 @@ To avoid rate limits or improve reliability:
 1. In your Gitea instance, go to **Settings → Applications** and generate a token.
 2. Paste it into the plugin settings screen under **Gitea API Token**.
 
+## Building a Release
+
+Releases are automated via GitHub Actions. To cut a new release:
+
+1. Bump `PROJECTS_PORTFOLIO_VERSION` and the plugin header `Version:` in `projects-portfolio.php`.
+2. Commit and push to `main`.
+3. Tag the release commit: `git tag -a v1.1.0 -m "v1.1.0 — short summary"`.
+4. Push the tag: `git push origin v1.1.0`.
+
+The `.github/workflows/release.yml` workflow runs and:
+
+- Builds `projects-portfolio-v<version>.zip` containing only the runtime files (`projects-portfolio.php`, `admin/`, `assets/`, `includes/`, `languages/`, `templates/`, `README.md`, `LICENSE`).
+- Uploads the zip as a workflow artifact.
+- Creates (or updates) the matching GitHub Release with the zip attached.
+
+Dev-only paths (`composer.json`, `composer.lock`, `vendor/`, `tests/`, `plans/`, `specs/`, `.github/`, `.gitignore`, `.vscode/`, `.claude/`) are intentionally excluded.
+
 ## How to Zip the Plugin for GitHub Releases
 
 When attaching the plugin to a GitHub release: