diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 46e25bc..a9c9da3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -31,6 +31,13 @@ these steps:
 If everything is configured right, the new release of your package should
 appear on GitHub and your package's website within a few minutes.
 
+> [!CAUTION]
+> We recommend a 'dry run' the first time you use this workflow.
+> This will create an archive containing the release, which can be downloaded under
+> the `Artifacts` in the relevant run of this workflow, but not actually publish the
+> release. You can then inspect the release archive and, if satisfactory, re-run this
+> workflow without the 'dry run' option.
+
 
 ## Initial setup
 
@@ -59,12 +66,12 @@ on:
   workflow_dispatch:
     inputs:
       dry-run:
-        description: "Only create an archive containing the release instead of publishing it on GitHub"
+        description: "Dry run: only create an archive containing the release instead of publishing it on GitHub"
         type: boolean
         required: false
         default: false
       force:
-        description: "Allow overwriting an existing release, or making a release with an incorrect date"
+        description: "Force: allow overwriting an existing release, or making a release with an incorrect date"
         type: boolean
         required: false
         default: false
@@ -188,4 +195,4 @@ with this action or the FSF's own site.
 
 [1]: https://github.com/gap-system/ReleaseTools
 [2]: https://github.com/gap-actions/update-gh-pages
-[2]: https://github.com/gap-actions/build-pkg-docs
+[3]: https://github.com/gap-actions/build-pkg-docs