diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3722903..ccf4bc9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -96,6 +96,8 @@ Release workflows build downloadable binaries for:
 
 Download artifacts from the GitHub Actions release workflow or from GitHub Releases once release publishing is enabled.
 
+See [docs/RELEASES.md](docs/RELEASES.md) for artifact download and smoke-test steps.
+
 ## Development
 
 Run the local checks:
@@ -117,6 +119,7 @@ sudo apt install build-essential pkg-config libdbus-1-dev libxdo-dev libx11-dev
 ## Documentation
 
 - [RUNNING.md](RUNNING.md): developer/local run instructions.
+- [docs/RELEASES.md](docs/RELEASES.md): downloadable artifact instructions.
 - [SPEC.md](SPEC.md): product and architecture spec.
 - [docs/WAYLAND_POC.md](docs/WAYLAND_POC.md): experimental Linux Wayland listener notes.
 
diff --git a/docs/RELEASES.md b/docs/RELEASES.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..abceba5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/RELEASES.md
@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+# Release Artifacts
+
+Stringcast can be distributed as downloadable binaries from GitHub Actions. This lets users run the Rust app without installing Cargo.
+
+The current artifacts are raw CLI binaries, not full desktop installers. A macOS app wrapper and richer desktop packaging are planned separately.
+
+## Build Artifacts
+
+The `Release Builds` workflow creates:
+
+```text
+stringcast-macos.tar.gz
+stringcast-linux-x86_64.tar.gz
+stringcast-windows-x86_64.zip
+```
+
+Each archive includes:
+
+- `stringcast` or `stringcast.exe`
+- `README.md`
+- `RUNNING.md`
+- `SPEC.md`
+- `docs/`
+
+## Run The Workflow
+
+From GitHub:
+
+1. Open the repository.
+2. Go to **Actions**.
+3. Select **Release Builds**.
+4. Click **Run workflow**.
+5. Select `main`.
+6. Click **Run workflow**.
+
+From the GitHub CLI:
+
+```bash
+gh workflow run release-builds.yml --ref main
+```
+
+Check the latest run:
+
+```bash
+gh run list --workflow release-builds.yml --limit 5
+```
+
+Download artifacts:
+
+```bash
+gh run download <run-id> -D ./artifacts
+```
+
+## macOS Smoke Test
+
+Unpack:
+
+```bash
+tar -xzf stringcast-macos.tar.gz
+cd stringcast
+chmod +x stringcast
+```
+
+Run checks:
+
+```bash
+./stringcast status
+./stringcast check-permissions
+./stringcast api-test
+```
+
+Run the app:
+
+```bash
+./stringcast run
+```
+
+macOS may ask for:
+
+- Accessibility permission for keyboard automation.
+- Input Monitoring permission for global keyboard events.
+- Keychain access when the binary reads a stored API key.
+
+If permissions were already granted to a different terminal or binary path, macOS may still ask again for the downloaded binary.
+
+## Linux Smoke Test
+
+Install native dependencies first. Ubuntu/Debian:
+
+```bash
+sudo apt update
+sudo apt install build-essential pkg-config libdbus-1-dev libxdo-dev libx11-dev libxi-dev libxtst-dev
+```
+
+Unpack:
+
+```bash
+tar -xzf stringcast-linux-x86_64.tar.gz
+cd stringcast
+chmod +x stringcast
+```
+
+Run checks:
+
+```bash
+./stringcast status
+./stringcast api-test
+```
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+./stringcast run
+```
+
+Linux Wayland users should read [WAYLAND_POC.md](WAYLAND_POC.md). The Python Wayland listener is experimental and separate from the Rust release binary.
+
+## Windows Smoke Test
+
+Unpack `stringcast-windows-x86_64.zip`, then open PowerShell in the extracted `stringcast` directory.
+
+Run checks:
+
+```powershell
+.\stringcast.exe status
+.\stringcast.exe api-test
+```
+
+Run:
+
+```powershell
+.\stringcast.exe run
+```
+
+Windows support still needs real user testing. Some antivirus or SmartScreen warnings are expected for unsigned development binaries.
+
+## API Key Setup
+
+If a machine does not already have a stored Stringcast API key, add one:
+
+macOS/Linux:
+
+```bash
+STRINGCAST_API_KEY="your-key-here" ./stringcast add-key gemini main "Gemini"
+./stringcast set-provider gemini
+./stringcast api-test
+```
+
+Windows PowerShell:
+
+```powershell
+$env:STRINGCAST_API_KEY="your-key-here"
+.\stringcast.exe add-key gemini main "Gemini"
+.\stringcast.exe set-provider gemini
+.\stringcast.exe api-test
+```
+
+## Known Limitations
+
+- Artifacts are unsigned.
+- Artifacts are CLI binaries, not app installers.
+- macOS permissions are tied to the binary/app identity and may need reapproval.
+- Windows support needs broader manual testing.
+- Linux Wayland support remains experimental.