diff --git a/hack/publish.py b/hack/publish.py
index 28707fb..adc303b 100644
--- a/hack/publish.py
+++ b/hack/publish.py
@@ -60,13 +60,12 @@ def mike(args: list[str]) -> None:
     Raises:
         Exception: If Mike command execution returns a non-zero exit code.
     """
-    rc = subprocess.run(
+    subprocess.run(
         ["mike"] + args,
         stdout=sys.stdout,
         stderr=sys.stderr,
+        check=True,
     )
-    if rc.returncode != 0:
-        raise Exception(rc.stderr)
 
 
 def is_initial() -> bool:
@@ -76,11 +75,21 @@ def is_initial() -> bool:
     Returns:
         bool: True if the repository state is initial, False otherwise.
     """
-    subprocess.run(["git", "fetch", "origin", "gh-pages"])
+    logger.info("fetching gh-pages from origin")
+    subprocess.run(
+        ["git", "fetch", "origin", "gh-pages"],
+        stdout=sys.stdout,
+        stderr=sys.stderr,
+    )
 
+    logger.info("getting ref of gh-pages")
     rc = subprocess.run(
         ["git", "show-ref", "--quiet", "refs/heads/gh-pages"],
+        stdout=sys.stdout,
+        stderr=sys.stderr,
     )
+
+    logger.info(f"returncode={rc.returncode}")
     return rc.returncode != 0