diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yml b/.github/workflows/build.yml
index 4b286884541c7..1483793de3f68 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yml
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ jobs:
         exclude:
           # skip arm64 until we have arm runners
           - architecture: arm64
-          - distribution: tar
+          - distribution: [tar, deb] # Exclude deb assembly until it's implemented
 
     uses: ./.github/workflows/r_assemble.yml
     with:
diff --git a/scripts/README.md b/scripts/README.md
index 3ce8afce86bf4..e71941bed4085 100644
--- a/scripts/README.md
+++ b/scripts/README.md
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ The script will:
 ### Running in Act
 
 ```console
-act -j assemble -W .github/workflows/build.yml --artifact-server-path ./artifacts
+act -j assemble -W .github/workflows/build.yml --artifact-server-path ./artifacts --matrix distribution:rpm --matrix architecture:x64 --var OPENSEARCH_VERSION=2.11.0
 
 [Build slim packages/build] 🏁  Job succeeded
 ```