diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index baa81ea9..c935a61e 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -98,3 +98,6 @@ qa/README.md
 qa/fixtures.local.md
 qa/*.local.md
 revenucat_secret_api.md
+
+# Local ship-readiness working plan — operator doc, not repo history
+release_guide.md