diff --git a/PYPI_README.md b/PYPI_README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..00bdd12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/PYPI_README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# NeuroPose
+
+3D human pose estimation pipeline for clinical movement research,
+built on [MeTRAbs](https://github.com/isarandi/metrabs).
+
+**Status:** pre-release. This is the reserved PyPI name for the
+upcoming 0.1.0 release. The first public release is in preparation —
+it will land with an accompanying engineering paper (JOSS submission).
+
+- **Source:** <https://git.levineuwirth.org/neuwirth/neuropose>
+- **License:** MIT
+- **Authors:** Liqi Shu, Levi Neuwirth, David Man, Praneeth Tummala
+  (Brown University, Shu Lab)
+
+Until 0.1.0 ships, `pip install neuropose` will resolve to nothing
+useful; wait for the release announcement at the source URL above.
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 8ce14c7..b0bc531 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 name = "neuropose"
 version = "0.1.0.dev0"
 description = "3D human pose estimation pipeline for clinical movement research, built on MeTRAbs."
-readme = "README.md"
+readme = "PYPI_README.md"
 license = { file = "LICENSE" }
 requires-python = ">=3.11,<3.12"
 authors = [