diff --git a/docs/release-checklist.md b/docs/release-checklist.md
index 96d42d1..83abe5e 100644
--- a/docs/release-checklist.md
+++ b/docs/release-checklist.md
@@ -37,7 +37,62 @@ git push origin vX.Y.Z
 - [ ] All 6 binaries attached + checksums.txt
 - [ ] Homebrew formula pushed to `dipto0321/homebrew-tap`
 - [ ] Scoop manifest pushed to `dipto0321/scoop-bucket`
-- [ ] npm wrapper published to registry (Phase 7)
+- [ ] npm wrapper published to the npm registry (see below)
+
+### Publishing `nodeup-npm` to the npm registry
+
+The npm wrapper lives in `nodeup-npm/` at the repo root and ships via
+`npm publish` **after** the GitHub release is up. The wrapper's
+`postinstall` script (`scripts/install.js`) fetches the binary
+matching the `binaryVersion` field in `package.json`, so the GitHub
+release for that version **must already exist** before publishing
+the wrapper — otherwise every install 404s on the binary download.
+
+```bash
+# 1. Sanity-check the tarball before publishing. This should print
+#    exactly 5 files: LICENSE, README.md, package.json, and the two
+#    scripts. No bin/, no .npmignore, no node_modules.
+cd nodeup-npm
+npm pack --dry-run
+cd ..
+
+# 2. Log in to npmjs.com (one-time per machine; uses your npm account
+#    credentials + email/password). After 2FA is enabled on the
+#    account, `npm login` will ask for a one-time code from your
+#    authenticator.
+npm login
+
+# 3. From the wrapper directory, publish. npm will prompt for the
+#    OTP code on publish (not on login) — keep your authenticator
+#    open.
+cd nodeup-npm
+npm publish
+cd ..
+```
+
+**Required once, not per release:**
+
+- An `npmjs.com` account with publish rights on the `nodeup` package
+  name. The package name must be claimed on npm before the first
+  publish — `npm publish` will fail with `You do not have permission
+  to publish "nodeup"` if it isn't.
+- **2FA enabled** on the npm account. Publishing to npmjs.com
+  requires 2FA; configure it under
+  `https://www.npmjs.com/settings/<your-username>/security`.
+  Authenticator-app mode (`Authenticator` level) is the minimum —
+  SMS and email-only modes are not accepted for publish.
+
+**Repeat for every wrapper version bump.** The flow is the same
+when the wrapper pins to a new `binaryVersion`: confirm the GitHub
+release exists, `npm pack --dry-run`, then `npm publish`.
+
+**Can I automate it?** Yes, but not for the very first publish. Add
+a repo secret `NPM_TOKEN` (a publish-only automation token from
+`https://www.npmjs.com/settings/<your-username>/tokens`) and a
+release workflow step that runs `npm publish` from `nodeup-npm/` on
+tag push. Until you've done at least one manual publish to confirm
+the package name and the account are wired up, keep this step in
+the human checklist.
 
 ## Post-release