diff --git a/release b/release
index e982487..f8fc9d8 100644
--- a/release
+++ b/release
@@ -5,12 +5,41 @@ set -eu
 
 VERSION_FORMAT="^v[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$"
 
+exit_with_message() {
+    echo "$1" >&2
+    exit 1
+}
+
+# Run only from default branch.
+default_branch=$(git remote show origin | sed -n '/HEAD branch/s/.*: //p')
+current_branch=$(git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD)
+if [ "$current_branch" != "$default_branch" ]; then
+    exit_with_message "Not on $default_branch branch. Switch to $default_branch before running this script."
+fi
+
 # Check for a clean working directory.
 if [ -n "$(git status --porcelain)" ]; then
-    echo "Your working directory is dirty. Commit or stash your changes before running this script."
-    exit 1
+    exit_with_message "Your working directory is dirty. Commit or stash your changes before running this script."
 fi
 
+# Ensure the local repository is up-to-date.
+echo "Updating local repository…"
+git fetch origin
+git_status=$(git status -uno)
+if echo "$git_status" | grep -q "Your branch is behind"; then
+    exit_with_message "Your local branch is behind the remote. Pull the latest changes before running this script."
+elif echo "$git_status" | grep -q "Your branch is ahead"; then
+    echo "Your local branch is ahead of the remote. Checking if local changes can be pushed…"
+    if git push --dry-run &> /dev/null; then
+        echo "Local changes can be pushed without conflicts. Proceeding with the release."
+    else
+        exit_with_message "Unable to push local changes. Resolve any conflicts before running this script."
+    fi
+elif ! echo "$git_status" | grep -q "Your branch is up to date"; then
+    exit_with_message "Unable to determine if branch is up to date. Check your git status manually."
+fi
+echo "Local repository is ready for release."
+
 # Check if a version tag is provided.
 if [ "$#" -eq 1 ]; then
     VERSION_TAG=$1
@@ -24,24 +53,20 @@ else
         echo "Proceeding with version $suggested_version."
         VERSION_TAG=$suggested_version
     else
-        echo "Release preparation cancelled."
-        exit 1
+        exit_with_message "Release preparation cancelled."
     fi
 fi
 
 # Verify that the version tag matches the expected format.
 if ! [[ $VERSION_TAG =~ $VERSION_FORMAT ]]; then
-    echo "Version tag $VERSION_TAG does not match the expected format ${VERSION_FORMAT}."
-    exit 1
+    exit_with_message "Version tag $VERSION_TAG does not match the expected format ${VERSION_FORMAT}."
 fi
 
 echo "Preparing release ${VERSION_TAG}…"
 echo
-poetry --quiet version "${VERSION_TAG#v}"
 
 # Update CHANGELOG.
 git cliff --tag "$VERSION_TAG" -o CHANGELOG.md
-sed -i.bak -e 's/ @\([a-zA-Z0-9]\([-a-zA-Z0-9]*[a-zA-Z0-9]\)\?\)/ [@\1](https:\/\/github.com\/\1)/g' CHANGELOG.md && rm CHANGELOG.md.bak
 sed -E 's/@([a-zA-Z0-9_-]+)/[@\1](https:\/\/github.com\/\1)/g' CHANGELOG.md > CHANGELOG.tmp && mv CHANGELOG.tmp CHANGELOG.md
 
 # Add all changes and commit.