diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 60dda0b..4dcf135 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -62,6 +62,11 @@ npm run index     # regenerates index.json
 npm run release   # both
 ```
 
+> `@source/presence-sdk` is **not** a published npm package. The build pipeline
+> aliases it to a local runtime shim ([scripts/sdk-runtime.mjs](scripts/sdk-runtime.mjs))
+> at bundle time, and TypeScript resolves the import to a local `.d.ts`
+> ([types/presence-sdk.d.ts](types/presence-sdk.d.ts)). Don't add it to `package.json`.
+
 ## Presence API
 
 `PresenceDefinition` shape (also defined in [`types/presence-sdk.d.ts`](types/presence-sdk.d.ts)):
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index bf8adc3..e89e948 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -11,8 +11,5 @@
   "devDependencies": {
     "esbuild": "^0.24.2",
     "typescript": "^5.7.3"
-  },
-  "dependencies": {
-    "@source/presence-sdk": "0.1.0"
   }
 }