diff --git a/scripts/check_release.py b/scripts/check_release.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8890e1a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/check_release.py
@@ -0,0 +1,212 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Compare a dated release with release.json and the checksum list.
+
+Run on the draft before publishing it, and on the published release at any
+time. Every pack asset release.json names must be on the release at the sha256
+SHA256SUMS.txt lists for it, the parts of a pack must add up to the download
+size the README prints, and nothing else may be attached. An upload that
+failed in the loop, or a part re-uploaded from an older build, otherwise
+publishes a release that `sha256sum --check` rejects for every user.
+
+Usage:
+    python scripts/check_release.py                        # the tag release.json records
+    python scripts/check_release.py --tag v2026.10.10 --sums dist/SHA256SUMS.txt
+    python scripts/check_release.py --json
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import hashlib
+import json
+import os
+import subprocess
+import sys
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from pathlib import Path
+
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.dirname(__file__))
+from check_release_assets import digests_of
+from largefiles import LARGE_FILES_REPO
+from release_record import RECORD, load_record
+
+SUMS = "SHA256SUMS.txt"
+SIGNATURE = SUMS + ".sig"
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Asset:
+    size: int
+    sha256: str | None
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Finding:
+    kind: str
+    name: str
+    detail: str
+
+
+def parse_sums(text: str) -> dict[str, str]:
+    """`sha256sum` output: digest, then a space and a mode character."""
+    sums: dict[str, str] = {}
+    for line in text.splitlines():
+        line = line.strip()
+        if not line:
+            continue
+        digest, _, name = line.partition(" ")
+        if len(digest) != 64 or not name:
+            raise ValueError(f"not a sha256sum line: {line!r}")
+        sums[name.lstrip(" *")] = digest.lower()
+    return sums
+
+
+def compare_release(
+    record: dict,
+    sums: dict[str, str],
+    assets: dict[str, Asset],
+    tag: str,
+    local_files: dict[str, str] | None = None,
+) -> list[Finding]:
+    """Every way the release can differ from what was built.
+
+    *local_files* maps a file kept beside the packs (the checksum list, its
+    signature) to its local sha256: the copy on the release must be that one.
+    """
+    findings: list[Finding] = []
+    if record.get("tag") != tag:
+        findings.append(Finding("tag", tag, f"release.json records {record.get('tag')}"))
+
+    recorded = {
+        name: pack_name
+        for pack_name, pack in record.get("packs", {}).items()
+        for name in pack.get("assets", [])
+    }
+    expected = set(recorded) | set(sums) | {SUMS} | set(local_files or ())
+    allowed = expected | {SIGNATURE}
+
+    for name in sorted(expected - set(assets)):
+        findings.append(Finding("missing", name, "not attached to the release"))
+    for name in sorted(set(assets) - allowed):
+        findings.append(Finding("extra", name, "attached but neither recorded nor listed"))
+    for name in sorted(set(recorded) - set(sums)):
+        findings.append(Finding("unlisted", name, f"absent from {SUMS}"))
+    for name in sorted(set(sums) - set(recorded)):
+        findings.append(Finding("unrecorded", name, f"listed in {SUMS}, absent from release.json"))
+
+    wanted = {**sums, **(local_files or {})}
+    for name, digest in sorted(wanted.items()):
+        asset = assets.get(name)
+        if asset is None:
+            continue
+        if asset.sha256 is None:
+            findings.append(Finding("unverified", name, "the release gives no sha256"))
+        elif asset.sha256 != digest:
+            findings.append(Finding(
+                "content", name, f"release sha256 {asset.sha256[:12]} != {digest[:12]}"
+            ))
+
+    for pack_name, pack in sorted(record.get("packs", {}).items()):
+        parts = [assets[name].size for name in pack.get("assets", []) if name in assets]
+        if len(parts) == len(pack.get("assets", [])) and sum(parts) != pack.get("download_size"):
+            findings.append(Finding(
+                "size", pack_name,
+                f"assets total {sum(parts)} bytes, release.json says {pack.get('download_size')}",
+            ))
+    return findings
+
+
+def _sha256(path: Path) -> str:
+    digest = hashlib.sha256()
+    with open(path, "rb") as handle:
+        for chunk in iter(lambda: handle.read(1 << 20), b""):
+            digest.update(chunk)
+    return digest.hexdigest()
+
+
+def fetch_assets(tag: str) -> tuple[dict[str, Asset], bool]:
+    """Name, size and sha256 of every asset of *tag*, and whether it is a draft."""
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        ["gh", "release", "view", tag, "-R", LARGE_FILES_REPO, "--json", "assets,isDraft"],
+        capture_output=True, text=True, check=True,
+    )
+    data = json.loads(result.stdout)
+    digests = digests_of(data["assets"])
+    return (
+        {a["name"]: Asset(a["size"], digests.get(a["name"])) for a in data["assets"]},
+        bool(data.get("isDraft")),
+    )
+
+
+def fetch_sums(tag: str) -> str:
+    """The checksum list as attached to *tag*."""
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        ["gh", "release", "download", tag, "-R", LARGE_FILES_REPO,
+         "--pattern", SUMS, "--output", "-"],
+        capture_output=True, text=True, check=True,
+    )
+    return result.stdout
+
+
+def main() -> int:
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(allow_abbrev=False, description=__doc__.split("\n")[0])
+    parser.add_argument("--record", default=str(RECORD), help="release record (release.json)")
+    parser.add_argument("--tag", help="release to check (default: the tag the record names)")
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--sums", metavar="FILE",
+        help=f"local {SUMS} the packs were listed in; its copy and signature on "
+        f"the release must be these files (default: the list attached to the release)",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument("--json", action="store_true")
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    record = load_record(args.record)
+    tag = args.tag or record.get("tag")
+    if not tag:
+        print(f"ERROR: {args.record} names no tag; pass --tag", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 2
+    try:
+        assets, draft = fetch_assets(tag)
+        if args.sums:
+            sums_path = Path(args.sums)
+            sums_text = sums_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+            local_files = {SUMS: _sha256(sums_path)}
+            signature = sums_path.with_name(SIGNATURE)
+            if signature.is_file():
+                local_files[SIGNATURE] = _sha256(signature)
+        else:
+            sums_text = fetch_sums(tag)
+            local_files = {}
+    except subprocess.CalledProcessError as exc:
+        print(f"ERROR: cannot read release {tag}: {exc.stderr.strip() or exc}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 2
+    except (FileNotFoundError, OSError) as exc:
+        print(f"ERROR: {exc}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 2
+    try:
+        sums = parse_sums(sums_text)
+    except ValueError as exc:
+        print(f"ERROR: {SUMS}: {exc}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 2
+
+    findings = compare_release(record, sums, assets, tag, local_files)
+    if args.json:
+        print(json.dumps(
+            {"tag": tag, "draft": draft, "assets": len(assets),
+             "findings": [vars(f) for f in findings]},
+            indent=2,
+        ))
+    else:
+        state = "draft" if draft else "published"
+        print(f"{tag} ({state}): {len(assets)} assets, {len(sums)} listed in {SUMS}")
+        for finding in findings:
+            print(f"  {finding.kind.upper():<10} {finding.name}: {finding.detail}")
+        if not findings:
+            print("  every asset is the recorded file at its listed sha256")
+    return 1 if findings else 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    from common import run_cli
+
+    run_cli(main)
diff --git a/tests/test_check_release.py b/tests/test_check_release.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c4fca2a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_check_release.py
@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+"""A dated release is checked against what was built before it is published.
+
+The upload loop has no `set -e`: a part that failed to upload, or a part
+re-uploaded from an older build, left a release whose count looked right and
+whose checksums every user's `sha256sum --check` rejected.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent / "scripts"))
+
+from check_release import SIGNATURE, SUMS, Asset, compare_release, parse_sums
+
+A = "a" * 64
+B = "b" * 64
+C = "c" * 64
+S = "d" * 64
+
+RECORD = {
+    "tag": "v2026.10.10",
+    "packs": {
+        "Big_BIOS_Pack.zip": {
+            "download_size": 300,
+            "assets": ["Big_BIOS_Pack.part1of2.zip", "Big_BIOS_Pack.part2of2.zip"],
+        },
+        "Small_BIOS_Pack.zip": {"download_size": 50, "assets": ["Small_BIOS_Pack.zip"]},
+    },
+}
+SUMS_LIST = {
+    "Big_BIOS_Pack.part1of2.zip": A,
+    "Big_BIOS_Pack.part2of2.zip": B,
+    "Small_BIOS_Pack.zip": C,
+}
+
+
+def _assets() -> dict[str, Asset]:
+    return {
+        "Big_BIOS_Pack.part1of2.zip": Asset(200, A),
+        "Big_BIOS_Pack.part2of2.zip": Asset(100, B),
+        "Small_BIOS_Pack.zip": Asset(50, C),
+        SUMS: Asset(300, S),
+        SIGNATURE: Asset(10, "e" * 64),
+    }
+
+
+def _kinds(findings) -> set[tuple[str, str]]:
+    return {(f.kind, f.name) for f in findings}
+
+
+class ReleaseMatchesWhatWasBuilt(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_a_complete_release_passes(self):
+        self.assertEqual(
+            compare_release(RECORD, SUMS_LIST, _assets(), "v2026.10.10", {SUMS: S}), []
+        )
+
+    def test_a_part_that_failed_to_upload_is_missing(self):
+        assets = _assets()
+        del assets["Big_BIOS_Pack.part2of2.zip"]
+        self.assertIn(
+            ("missing", "Big_BIOS_Pack.part2of2.zip"),
+            _kinds(compare_release(RECORD, SUMS_LIST, assets, "v2026.10.10")),
+        )
+
+    def test_a_part_from_an_older_build_is_caught_at_the_same_count(self):
+        assets = _assets()
+        assets["Big_BIOS_Pack.part1of2.zip"] = Asset(200, "f" * 64)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            _kinds(compare_release(RECORD, SUMS_LIST, assets, "v2026.10.10")),
+            {("content", "Big_BIOS_Pack.part1of2.zip")},
+        )
+
+    def test_a_checksum_list_other_than_the_local_one_is_caught(self):
+        self.assertEqual(
+            _kinds(compare_release(RECORD, SUMS_LIST, _assets(), "v2026.10.10", {SUMS: "0" * 64})),
+            {("content", SUMS)},
+        )
+
+    def test_an_asset_nobody_recorded_is_extra(self):
+        assets = _assets()
+        assets["Big_BIOS_Pack.zip.001"] = Asset(1, "1" * 64)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            _kinds(compare_release(RECORD, SUMS_LIST, assets, "v2026.10.10")),
+            {("extra", "Big_BIOS_Pack.zip.001")},
+        )
+
+    def test_record_and_list_must_name_the_same_files(self):
+        sums = {k: v for k, v in SUMS_LIST.items() if k != "Small_BIOS_Pack.zip"}
+        sums["Other_BIOS_Pack.zip"] = C
+        kinds = _kinds(compare_release(RECORD, sums, _assets(), "v2026.10.10"))
+        self.assertIn(("unlisted", "Small_BIOS_Pack.zip"), kinds)
+        self.assertIn(("unrecorded", "Other_BIOS_Pack.zip"), kinds)
+        self.assertIn(("missing", "Other_BIOS_Pack.zip"), kinds)
+
+    def test_parts_must_add_up_to_the_printed_download_size(self):
+        assets = _assets()
+        assets["Big_BIOS_Pack.part2of2.zip"] = Asset(99, B)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            _kinds(compare_release(RECORD, SUMS_LIST, assets, "v2026.10.10")),
+            {("size", "Big_BIOS_Pack.zip")},
+        )
+
+    def test_an_asset_without_a_digest_is_not_taken_on_trust(self):
+        assets = _assets()
+        assets["Small_BIOS_Pack.zip"] = Asset(50, None)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            _kinds(compare_release(RECORD, SUMS_LIST, assets, "v2026.10.10")),
+            {("unverified", "Small_BIOS_Pack.zip")},
+        )
+
+    def test_another_tag_than_the_record_is_named(self):
+        self.assertEqual(
+            _kinds(compare_release(RECORD, SUMS_LIST, _assets(), "v2026.10.11")),
+            {("tag", "v2026.10.11")},
+        )
+
+
+class SumsParsing(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_text_and_binary_mode_lines(self):
+        text = f"{A}  Small_BIOS_Pack.zip\n{B} *Big BIOS.zip\n\n"
+        self.assertEqual(parse_sums(text), {"Small_BIOS_Pack.zip": A, "Big BIOS.zip": B})
+
+    def test_a_line_that_is_not_a_checksum_stops(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+            parse_sums("<html>Not Found</html>\n")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/wiki/release-process.md b/wiki/release-process.md
index 304fcf4a..b59b72de 100644
--- a/wiki/release-process.md
+++ b/wiki/release-process.md
@@ -216,8 +216,13 @@ gh release create "v${DATE}" --draft --title "BIOS Pack v${DATE}" --notes-file n
 for f in dist/SHA256SUMS.txt dist/SHA256SUMS.txt.sig dist/*.zip; do
   [ -f "$f" ] && gh release upload "v${DATE}" "$f#$(basename "$f")" --clobber
 done
-gh release view "v${DATE}" --json assets --jq '.assets | length'   # expect every file
-gh release edit "v${DATE}" --draft=false --latest
+#    A count does not see a failed upload beside a stray file, nor a part
+#    re-uploaded from an older build. The check holds every asset against
+#    release.json and the local checksum list, by the sha256 GitHub computes,
+#    and the parts of each pack against the download size the README prints.
+#    Publish only on a clean exit; rerun the upload for what it names.
+python scripts/check_release.py --tag "v${DATE}" --sums dist/SHA256SUMS.txt \
+  && gh release edit "v${DATE}" --draft=false --latest
 
 #    The record and the pages it feeds go to main with the release, so the
 #    table never describes a pack other than the one the link serves.