diff --git a/scripts/release-manifest.py b/scripts/release-manifest.py
index f0a4ca9..5bb2c8f 100755
--- a/scripts/release-manifest.py
+++ b/scripts/release-manifest.py
@@ -149,6 +149,15 @@ def main():
     args.out.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
     releases = {
+        # Carried through from the pre-release placeholder this file replaces:
+        # it is the only thing telling the next reader that the file is generated
+        # and that an empty downloads array is a meaningful state, not a bug.
+        "$comment": (
+            "Generated by scripts/release-manifest.py in the launcher repository; "
+            "do not edit by hand. The site reads nothing else about launcher "
+            "downloads. An empty downloads array is the pre-release state and "
+            "renders as 'not yet released' rather than a broken button."
+        ),
         "version": version,
         "publishedAt": published,
         "notesUrl": args.notes_url,