diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 72a686f..365bbb7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -196,10 +196,21 @@ curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/v1/traces/batch \
 
 ## Python SDK
 
+Registry installation (after the corresponding PyPI release is available):
+
 ```bash
 pip install magic-lab-observer
 ```
 
+Before the first PyPI release, install from a checkout:
+
+```bash
+python -m pip install "./sdk/python[openai,anthropic,langchain]"
+```
+
+See [First-time setup](docs/first-time-setup.md#3-instrument-an-application)
+for current registry availability and package identities.
+
 ```python
 from llm_observatory import instrument, trace
 from llm_observatory.tracer import Tracer
@@ -260,10 +271,18 @@ tracer.addExporter(new OTLPExporter({ endpoint: "http://localhost:8000" }));
 
 ## CLI
 
+Registry installation (after the corresponding PyPI release is available):
+
 ```bash
 pip install magic-lab-observer-cli
 ```
 
+Before the first PyPI release, install from a checkout:
+
+```bash
+python -m pip install ./cli
+```
+
 ```bash
 # List traces from local SQLite
 llm-observatory traces --db observatory.db