diff --git a/docs/platforms/mac/release.md b/docs/platforms/mac/release.md
index 10868ad51..91b129b16 100644
--- a/docs/platforms/mac/release.md
+++ b/docs/platforms/mac/release.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ This app now ships Sparkle auto-updates. Release builds must be Developer ID–s
 
 ## Prereqs
 - Developer ID Application cert installed (example: `Developer ID Application: <Developer Name> (<TEAMID>)`).
-- Sparkle private key path set in the environment as `SPARKLE_PRIVATE_KEY_FILE` (path to your Sparkle ed25519 private key; public key baked into Info.plist).
+- Sparkle private key path set in the environment as `SPARKLE_PRIVATE_KEY_FILE` (path to your Sparkle ed25519 private key; public key baked into Info.plist). If it is missing, check `~/.profile`.
 - Notary credentials (keychain profile or API key) for `xcrun notarytool` if you want Gatekeeper-safe DMG/zip distribution.
   - We use a Keychain profile named `clawdbot-notary`, created from App Store Connect API key env vars in your shell profile:
     - `APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_P8`, `APP_STORE_CONNECT_KEY_ID`, `APP_STORE_CONNECT_ISSUER_ID`
diff --git a/docs/reference/RELEASING.md b/docs/reference/RELEASING.md
index 527b110b0..8c7317b50 100644
--- a/docs/reference/RELEASING.md
+++ b/docs/reference/RELEASING.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ Use `pnpm` (Node 22+) from the repo root. Keep the working tree clean before tag
 ## Operator trigger
 When the operator says “release”, immediately do this preflight (no extra questions unless blocked):
 - Read this doc and `docs/platforms/mac/release.md`.
-- Load env from `~/.profile` and confirm `SPARKLE_PRIVATE_KEY_FILE` + App Store Connect vars are set.
+- Load env from `~/.profile` and confirm `SPARKLE_PRIVATE_KEY_FILE` + App Store Connect vars are set (SPARKLE_PRIVATE_KEY_FILE should live in `~/.profile`).
 - Use Sparkle keys from `~/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox/Backup/Sparkle` if needed.
 
 1) **Version & metadata**