diff --git a/src/cmdforge/gui/dialogs/publish_dialog.py b/src/cmdforge/gui/dialogs/publish_dialog.py
index 06484dd..c17c0dd 100644
--- a/src/cmdforge/gui/dialogs/publish_dialog.py
+++ b/src/cmdforge/gui/dialogs/publish_dialog.py
@@ -177,15 +177,31 @@ class PublishDialog(QDialog):
 
     def _on_success(self, result: dict):
         """Handle publish success."""
+        import yaml
+
         self.progress.hide()
         self.status_label.setText("Published successfully!")
         self.status_label.setStyleSheet("color: #38a169; font-weight: 600;")
 
-        QMessageBox.information(
-            self, "Success",
-            f"Tool '{self._tool.name}' has been published.\n\n"
-            f"It will be available after review."
-        )
+        # Save registry_hash to local config for publish state tracking
+        config_hash = result.get("config_hash")
+        if config_hash and hasattr(self._tool, 'path') and self._tool.path:
+            try:
+                config_path = self._tool.path
+                if config_path.exists():
+                    config_data = yaml.safe_load(config_path.read_text()) or {}
+                    config_data["registry_hash"] = config_hash
+                    config_path.write_text(yaml.dump(config_data, default_flow_style=False, sort_keys=False))
+            except Exception:
+                pass  # Non-critical - just won't show publish state
+
+        status = result.get("status", "pending")
+        if status == "approved":
+            msg = f"Tool '{self._tool.name}' has been published and is now live!"
+        else:
+            msg = f"Tool '{self._tool.name}' has been published.\n\nIt will be available after review."
+
+        QMessageBox.information(self, "Success", msg)
         self.accept()
 
     def _on_error(self, error: str):
diff --git a/src/cmdforge/registry/app.py b/src/cmdforge/registry/app.py
index 315d97e..91bbdd8 100644
--- a/src/cmdforge/registry/app.py
+++ b/src/cmdforge/registry/app.py
@@ -1862,6 +1862,7 @@ def create_app() -> Flask:
                 "owner": owner,
                 "name": name,
                 "version": version,
+                "config_hash": config_hash,
                 "pr_url": "",
                 "status": moderation_status,
                 "visibility": visibility,