diff --git a/.npmignore b/.npmignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d251bc4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.npmignore
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+node_modules
+.git
+.vscode
+dist
+**/*
+!dist/
+!dist/**
+!src/styles/
+!.gitignore
+.github
+/.github
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e69679c..027e88c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -23,23 +23,23 @@ npm install git+https://git.maze.io/maze/cyberduck.git#main
 
 Note: when installing from a git repository, npm will clone the source. For consumers to get built artifacts (the `dist` bundle and compiled types) the repository must either include the `dist` output or provide a `prepare`/build step that runs on install. If you prefer not to publish, using `npm pack` from the repo owner (tarball) ensures the built `dist` is included.
 
-## Including styles
+## Including styles (optional)
 
-CyberDuck emits a single bundled stylesheet. Preferred import options:
+Styles are optional — CyberDuck does not automatically inject styles when you import components. Import styles only if you want the theme and utilities applied.
 
-- Import the packaged CSS via the package export (recommended):
+- Recommended (package export):
 
 ```ts
 import 'cyberduck/css'
 ```
 
-- Import the compiled CSS file directly (older setups):
+- Direct CSS file (older setups):
 
 ```ts
 import 'cyberduck/dist/cyberduck.css'
 ```
 
-- If you want to include and compile the SCSS source in your app (allows customization), import the SCSS entry:
+- Compile and include SCSS in your app (for customization):
 
 ```scss
 @use 'cyberduck/styles/cyberduck.scss' as *;
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 1b4bd39..5547f58 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
   },
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "vite",
-    "build": "tsc -p tsconfig.build.json && vite build",
+    "build": "tsc -p tsconfig.build.json && npm run styles:build && vite build",
     "prepare": "npm run build",
     "lint": "eslint .",
     "lint:css": "stylelint \"src/**/*.{scss,css,sass}\"",
diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
index 60fefab..46c299e 100644
--- a/src/index.ts
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -4,5 +4,6 @@ export { default as Footer } from './components/Layout/Footer'
 export { default as Layout } from './components/Layout/Layout'
 export { default as Split } from './components/Layout/Split'
 
-// Export styles so consumers can import the theme
-import './index.scss'
+// Styles are optional — consumers can import the CSS or SCSS themselves:
+// import 'cyberduck/css'
+// import 'cyberduck/styles/cyberduck.scss'
diff --git a/tsconfig.build.json b/tsconfig.build.json
index 07570b2..350617e 100644
--- a/tsconfig.build.json
+++ b/tsconfig.build.json
@@ -6,5 +6,9 @@
     "emitDeclarationOnly": true,
     "outDir": "dist/types"
   },
-  "include": ["src"]
+  "include": [
+    "src/components",
+    "src/index.ts",
+    "src/styles"
+  ]
 }