diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md
index 0f56027..11df804 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md
@@ -6,26 +6,37 @@ labels: "release"
 assignees: ""
 ---
 
-### PyPI/GitHub release checklist:
+### PyPI/GitHub rc-release preparation checklist:
 
 - [ ] All PRs/issues attached to the release are merged.
 - [ ] All the badges on the README are passing.
 - [ ] License information is verified as correct. If you are unsure, please comment below.
 - [ ] Locally rendered documentation contains all appropriate pages, including API references (check no modules are
-  missing), tutorials, and other human written text is up-to-date with any changes in the code.
-- [ ] Installation instructions in the README, documentation and on the website (e.g., diffpy.org) are updated.
+  missing), tutorials, and other human-written text is up-to-date with any changes in the code.
+- [ ] Installation instructions in the README, documentation, and the website (e.g., diffpy.org) are updated.
 - [ ] Successfully run any tutorial examples or do functional testing with the latest Python version.
 - [ ] Grammar and writing quality are checked (no typos).
+- [ ] Install `pip install build twine`, run  `python -m build` and `twine check dist/*` to ensure that the package can be built and is correctly formatted for PyPI release.
 
-Please mention @sbillinge here when you are ready for PyPI/GitHub release. Include any additional comments necessary, such as
-version information and details about the pre-release here:
+Please mention @sbillinge here when you are ready for PyPI/GitHub release. Include any additional comments necessary, such as version information and details about the pre-release here:
 
-### conda-forge release checklist:
+### PyPI/GitHub full-release preparation checklist:
+
+- [ ] Create a new conda environment and install the rc from PyPI (`pip install <package-name>==??`)
+- [ ] License information on PyPI is correct.
+- [ ] Docs are deployed successfully to `https://www.diffpy.org/<package-name>`.
+- [ ] Successfully run all tests, tutorial examples or do functional testing.
+
+Please let @sbillinge know that all checks are done and the package is ready for full release.
+
+### conda-forge release preparation checklist:
 
 <!-- After @sbillinge releases the PyPI package, please check the following when creating a PR for conda-forge release.-->
 
+- [ ] Ensure that the full release has appeared on PyPI successfully.
 - [ ] New package dependencies listed in `conda.txt` and `test.txt` are added to `meta.yaml` in the feedstock.
-- [ ] All relevant issues in the feedstock are addressed in the release PR.
+- [ ] Close any open issues on the feedstock. Reach out to @bobleesj if you have questions.
+- [ ] Tag @sbillinge and @bobleesj for conda-forge release.
 
 ### Post-release checklist
 
diff --git a/news/latest-checklist.rst b/news/latest-checklist.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..099f2fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/latest-checklist.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+**Added:**
+
+* Latest release checklist containing steps for `twine check dist/*` and `python -m build`
+
+**Changed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Deprecated:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Removed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Fixed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Security:**
+
+* <news item>