diff --git a/.changeset/create-oidc-docs.md b/.changeset/create-oidc-docs.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7bfb6388bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/create-oidc-docs.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@lg-tools/create': patch
+---
+
+Add CLI output and documentation for npm trusted publishing (OIDC) initial publish requirement
diff --git a/DEVELOPER.md b/DEVELOPER.md
index f2e02e80d4..b49583188d 100644
--- a/DEVELOPER.md
+++ b/DEVELOPER.md
@@ -197,6 +197,44 @@ If you want to stop publishing to and/or reading from your local Verdaccio serve
 - If you are using any `leafygreen-ui` dependencies in your new component, add the dependency to the component directory's `tsconfig.json`.
 - Run `pnpm run init` to link all packages before starting development
 
+## Publishing a new package
+
+This repository uses [npm trusted publishing with OIDC](https://docs.npmjs.com/trusted-publishers) for secure automated releases. However, new packages require a manual first publish before automation can take over.
+
+### Initial Publish (Required for New Packages)
+
+When you create a new package, you must manually publish the first version:
+
+1. **Build the package**
+
+   ```bash
+   pnpm build --filter="<package-name>"
+   ```
+
+2. **Publish to npm**
+
+   ```bash
+   cd <directory>/<package-name>
+   npm publish --access public
+   ```
+
+3. **Configure trusted publisher** on [npmjs.com](https://www.npmjs.com):
+   - Navigate to your package → Settings → Trusted Publishers
+   - Add a trusted publisher:
+     - **Repository**: `mongodb/leafygreen-ui`
+     - **Workflow**: `release.yml`
+
+### Subsequent Releases
+
+After the initial publish and trusted publisher configuration, all future releases are handled automatically:
+
+1. Add a changeset: `pnpm changeset`
+2. Merge your PR to `main`
+3. The "Version Packages" PR will be created automatically
+4. Merge the "Version Packages" PR to publish to npm
+
+For more details on changesets and versioning, see the [README](./README.md#committing).
+
 ## Marking a Storybook story to be imported in mongodb.design
 
 The mongodb.design website will automatically import the `*.story.tsx` file from its installed package directory to render its live example. By default, the first exported story from the `*.story.tsx` file will be rendered. To specify a different story to be rendered, define the following in the Storybook file's Meta object:
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 23995b85f3..6cda8884b3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -254,7 +254,9 @@ Note: it's important to follow the kebab-casing convention described above.
 
 ### Initial Release
 
-The starting version in the generated `package.json` will be 0.0.1, but this will not be published to npm automatically. A new package is only published after its first changeset is added and the resulting "Version Packages" pull request is merged into the `main` branch.
+The starting version in the generated `package.json` will be 0.0.1, but this will not be published to npm automatically.
+**Note: You must manually publish the first version** of your new package before the automated release workflow can take over.
+See [DEVELOPER.md](./DEVELOPER.md#publishing-a-new-package) for detailed instructions.
 
 Note: The `create-package` script automatically generates a starter changeset file. By default this is marked as a **minor** release, which will lead to an initial release of 0.1.0. If you'd like the initial release to be a **major** version (1.0.0), this starter changeset file must be manually edited.
 
diff --git a/tools/create/README.md b/tools/create/README.md
index ee1ec1559e..aa54b6fc1f 100644
--- a/tools/create/README.md
+++ b/tools/create/README.md
@@ -10,6 +10,11 @@ Use from `@lg-tools/cli`:
 lg create <package-name>
 ```
 
+## Initial Publish Required
+
+After creating a new package, **you must manually publish the first version** before the automated release workflow can take over.
+See [DEVELOPER.md](../../DEVELOPER.md#publishing-a-new-package) for detailed instructions.
+
 ## Options
 
 ### Scope
diff --git a/tools/create/src/index.ts b/tools/create/src/index.ts
index 4802866b1a..22b398b9f0 100644
--- a/tools/create/src/index.ts
+++ b/tools/create/src/index.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import chalk from 'chalk';
 
 import { getComponentRootDirectory } from './utils/getComponentRootDirectory';
 import { getScope } from './utils/getScope';
+import { printInitialPublishInstructions } from './utils/printInitialPublishInstructions';
 import { CreatePackageOptions } from './create.types';
 import { createChangeset } from './createChangeset';
 import { createComponent } from './createComponent';
@@ -41,5 +42,8 @@ export function createPackage(name: string, options: CreatePackageOptions) {
       name,
       scope,
     });
+
+    // Print instructions for initial publish
+    printInitialPublishInstructions();
   }
 }
diff --git a/tools/create/src/utils/printInitialPublishInstructions.ts b/tools/create/src/utils/printInitialPublishInstructions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..773157a510
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/create/src/utils/printInitialPublishInstructions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+/* eslint-disable no-console */
+import chalk from 'chalk';
+
+export function printInitialPublishInstructions() {
+  console.log(`
+${chalk.yellow.bold('⚠️  Manual first publish required')}
+You must manually publish the first version before automated releases can take over.
+See ${chalk.cyan('README.md#initial-release')} for instructions.
+`);
+}