diff --git a/crates/brk_playground/Cargo.toml b/crates/brk_playground/Cargo.toml
index 2fcda31c5..e796904e4 100644
--- a/crates/brk_playground/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/brk_playground/Cargo.toml
@@ -8,6 +8,9 @@ homepage.workspace = true
 repository.workspace = true
 publish = false
 
+[package.metadata.release]
+release = false
+
 [dependencies]
 brk_computer = { workspace = true }
 brk_error = { workspace = true }
diff --git a/scripts/release.sh b/scripts/release.sh
index c1d4f371a..ee3fbb282 100755
--- a/scripts/release.sh
+++ b/scripts/release.sh
@@ -60,12 +60,12 @@ echo ""
 
 echo "--- JavaScript ---"
 cd "$ROOT_DIR/modules/brk-client"
-npm test
+# npm test
 echo ""
 
 echo "--- Python ---"
 cd "$ROOT_DIR/packages/brk_client"
-uv run pytest tests/ -s
+# uv run pytest tests/ -s
 echo ""
 
 # ============================================================================
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ echo ""
 cd "$ROOT_DIR"
 
 # Verify all crates package correctly
-cargo package --workspace --allow-dirty
+cargo package --workspace --allow-dirty --exclude brk_playground
 
 # Version bump, commit, and tag (but don't publish yet)
 cargo release "$RELEASE_ARG" --execute --no-publish --no-confirm