diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1532b78..f43d8c9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -364,7 +364,9 @@ leftover pre-migration `^[[...]]` marker.
 
 **Git automation.** `tools/wikitool publish` stages everything, commits with
 an auto-generated changed-file list, and pushes to `origin/main` in one step -
-never run raw `git commit`/`git push` for wiki changes. Publishes touching
+never run raw `git commit`/`git push` for wiki changes. Without `--no-push` it stops with
+exit 1 before committing when the remote is not configured or cannot be reached; a local-only
+instance passes `--no-push` on every call. Publishes touching
 ≥10 files exit **42** (the **Mass-Update Gate**) - a distinct "a human must see
 this" code, not an error - printing the full file list and the
 `--confirm <token>` line that publishes it. The token digests that file list,