diff --git a/.npmignore b/.npmignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dfe983f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.npmignore
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+# MGW npm package exclusions
+# Defense-in-depth: package.json "files" field is the primary allowlist.
+# This file provides an additional safety net to prevent accidental inclusion
+# of development, CI, and internal files.
+
+# Internal project management
+.mgw/
+.planning/
+.worktrees/
+.test/
+
+# CI/CD and GitHub
+.github/
+
+# Claude Code
+.claude/
+
+# Git
+.git
+.gitignore
+
+# Node
+node_modules/
+
+# Source (distributed as built dist/)
+lib/
+bin/
+
+# Markdown docs (README.md is always included by npm)
+CONTRIBUTING.md
+CODEOWNERS
+
+# Editor artifacts
+*.swp
+*.swo
+.DS_Store
+
+# Build tooling config
+package-lock.json
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..32f004e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# Changelog
+
+All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
+
+The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/),
+and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
+
+## [Unreleased]
+
+## [0.1.0] - 2026-02-24
+
+### Added
+
+- CLI entry point (`bin/mgw.cjs`) with 12 subcommands: `ask`, `help`, `init`, `issue`, `issues`, `link`, `milestone`, `next`, `project`, `review`, `run`, `sync`
+- Slash command suite for Claude Code (`.claude/commands/mgw/`) with matching prompt files for each subcommand
+- `/mgw:run` orchestrator pipeline — end-to-end issue execution with triage, worktree isolation, implementation, PR creation, and cleanup
+- `/mgw:project` AI-driven project scaffolding — generates milestones, phases, and issue graphs from a repository description
+- `/mgw:milestone` and `/mgw:next` milestone orchestration with dependency ordering and phase-aware sequencing
+- GitHub Projects v2 integration via `gh` CLI for issue, PR, milestone, and label management
+- Worktree isolation — each issue branch runs in its own `git worktree` under `.worktrees/`
+- Structured status comments on GitHub issues with pipeline stage tracking
+- State management system (`.mgw/active/` JSON files) for tracking issue lifecycle
+- `/mgw:ask` contextual question routing command
+- `/mgw:status` project dashboard command for at-a-glance milestone and issue progress
+- `/mgw:init` command for initializing MGW in a new repository with GitHub templates and labels
+- `/mgw:sync` post-merge cleanup for merged PRs (worktree removal, state archival)
+- `/mgw:review` PR review command and `/mgw:link` for linking related issues
+- Comment-aware pipeline — detects and reacts to new GitHub issue comments during execution
+- Shared workflow reference files (`workflows/github.md`, `workflows/state.md`) for consistent patterns across commands
+- JSON Schema-based pipeline templates with parameter validation
+- Template loader with parameter filling and validation (later refactored to validation-only)
+- `pkgroll` build pipeline producing CommonJS output in `dist/`
+- Shared `lib/` modules (`github.js`, `state.js`, `template-loader.js`) for code reuse across CLI commands
+- GitHub issue templates upgraded to YAML forms with structured fields
+- GitHub Actions auto-label workflow for PRs
+- CONTRIBUTING.md with development setup and PR process documentation
+- CODEOWNERS file and branch protection guidance
+- README.md with project overview, command reference, and installation instructions
+- `.npmignore` for clean package output
+- `npx` support for zero-install usage
+
+### Changed
+
+- Refactored `/mgw:project` from hardcoded JSON templates to AI-driven scaffolding
+- Refactored template loader to validation-only role after removing hardcoded template JSONs
+- Removed all `.planning/` writes from MGW commands (moved to external tooling)
+- Migrated all 10 original commands to reference shared workflow files
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Corrected `gh pr` JSON field from `merged` to `mergedAt` in sync command
+- Fixed `optsWithGlobals()` usage and `pkgroll` source path for successful builds
+- Fixed pipeline audit issues: 3 bugs, stale README content, and drifted `project.md`
+- Fixed orchestrator-owned status comments with prescriptive PR templates and milestone context
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b26c58e..a501d3f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -155,6 +155,26 @@ The `/mgw:sync` command reconciles local state with GitHub reality — archiving
 - [GitHub CLI](https://cli.github.com/) (`gh`) authenticated
 - A GitHub repository with issues enabled
 
+## Quick Start
+
+Try MGW without installing anything:
+
+```bash
+# See available commands
+npx mgw --help
+
+# List your open issues
+npx mgw issues
+
+# Sync local state with GitHub
+npx mgw sync
+
+# Cross-reference two issues
+npx mgw link 42 43
+```
+
+`npx mgw` gives you the full CLI subset that works without Claude Code. For the AI-powered pipeline commands (`run`, `issue`, `project`, `milestone`, etc.), do a full install below.
+
 ## Installation
 
 ### Full install (CLI + slash commands)
@@ -198,6 +218,17 @@ Then in Claude Code:
 /mgw:help
 ```
 
+### npx vs full install
+
+Not all commands work via `npx`. The CLI has two tiers:
+
+| Tier | Commands | Requirements |
+|------|----------|--------------|
+| **CLI-only** (works with npx) | `issues`, `sync`, `link`, `help`, `--help`, `--version` | Node.js >= 18, `gh` CLI |
+| **AI-powered** (requires full install) | `run`, `init`, `project`, `milestone`, `next`, `issue`, `update`, `pr` | Node.js >= 18, `gh` CLI, Claude Code CLI, GSD |
+
+AI-powered commands call `claude -p` under the hood and require the [Claude Code CLI](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/overview) to be installed and authenticated. The slash command `.md` files must also be deployed to `~/.claude/commands/mgw/` for the full pipeline to work. Use `npx mgw` to explore the CLI and verify your GitHub setup before committing to a full install.
+
 ## Typical Workflow
 
 ### New project (from scratch)
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 501bbe2..322fa7b 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -29,7 +29,20 @@
     "type": "git",
     "url": "git+https://github.com/snipcodeit/mgw.git"
   },
-  "keywords": ["github", "cli", "automation", "pipeline", "gsd"],
+  "keywords": [
+    "claude-code",
+    "github",
+    "automation",
+    "project-management",
+    "gsd",
+    "cli",
+    "developer-tools",
+    "ai"
+  ],
   "author": "snipcodeit",
-  "license": "MIT"
+  "license": "MIT",
+  "homepage": "https://github.com/snipcodeit/mgw",
+  "bugs": {
+    "url": "https://github.com/snipcodeit/mgw/issues"
+  }
 }