diff --git a/SConstruct b/SConstruct
index ba49d926a..e827d6641 100644
--- a/SConstruct
+++ b/SConstruct
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ AddOption('--pc-thneed',
 AddOption('--minimal',
           action='store_false',
           dest='extras',
-          default=os.path.islink(Dir('#rednose/').abspath), # minimal by default on release branch (where rednose is not a link)
+          default=os.path.exists(File('#.lfsconfig').abspath), # minimal by default on release branch (where there's no LFS)
           help='the minimum build to run openpilot. no tests, tools, etc.')
 
 ## Architecture name breakdown (arch)
diff --git a/release/release_files.py b/release/release_files.py
index a6fb7d648..2d279e97a 100755
--- a/release/release_files.py
+++ b/release/release_files.py
@@ -10,13 +10,25 @@ ROOT = HERE + "/.."
 # - minimizing release download size
 # - keeping the diff readable
 blacklist = [
-  "^scripts/",
   "body/STL/",
-  "tools/cabana/",
+
+  "panda/drivers/",
   "panda/examples/",
+  "panda/tests/safety/",
+
+  "opendbc/.*.dbc$",
   "opendbc/generator/",
 
+  "cereal/.*test.*",
+  "^common/tests/",
+
+  # particularly large text files
+  "poetry.lock",
+  "third_party/catch2",
+  "selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.*",
+
   "^tools/",
+  "^scripts/",
   "^tinygrad_repo/",
 
   "matlab.*.md",
@@ -56,8 +68,60 @@ whitelist = [
   "tinygrad_repo/tinygrad/runtime/ops_gpu.py",
   "tinygrad_repo/tinygrad/shape/*",
   "tinygrad_repo/tinygrad/.*.py",
+
+  # TODO: do this automatically
+  "opendbc/comma_body.dbc",
+  "opendbc/chrysler_ram_hd_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/chrysler_ram_dt_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/chrysler_pacifica_2017_hybrid_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/chrysler_pacifica_2017_hybrid_private_fusion.dbc",
+  "opendbc/gm_global_a_powertrain_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/gm_global_a_object.dbc",
+  "opendbc/gm_global_a_chassis.dbc",
+  "opendbc/FORD_CADS.dbc",
+  "opendbc/ford_fusion_2018_adas.dbc",
+  "opendbc/ford_lincoln_base_pt.dbc",
+  "opendbc/honda_accord_2018_can_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/acura_ilx_2016_can_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/acura_rdx_2018_can_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/acura_rdx_2020_can_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/honda_civic_touring_2016_can_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/honda_civic_hatchback_ex_2017_can_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/honda_crv_touring_2016_can_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/honda_crv_ex_2017_can_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/honda_crv_ex_2017_body_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/honda_crv_executive_2016_can_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/honda_fit_ex_2018_can_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/honda_odyssey_exl_2018_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/honda_odyssey_extreme_edition_2018_china_can_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/honda_insight_ex_2019_can_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/acura_ilx_2016_nidec.dbc",
+  "opendbc/honda_civic_ex_2022_can_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/hyundai_canfd.dbc",
+  "opendbc/hyundai_kia_generic.dbc",
+  "opendbc/hyundai_kia_mando_front_radar_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/mazda_2017.dbc",
+  "opendbc/nissan_x_trail_2017_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/nissan_leaf_2018_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/subaru_global_2017_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/subaru_global_2020_hybrid_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/subaru_outback_2015_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/subaru_outback_2019_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/subaru_forester_2017_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/toyota_tnga_k_pt_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/toyota_new_mc_pt_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/toyota_nodsu_pt_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/toyota_adas.dbc",
+  "opendbc/toyota_tss2_adas.dbc",
+  "opendbc/vw_golf_mk4.dbc",
+  "opendbc/vw_mqb_2010.dbc",
+  "opendbc/tesla_can.dbc",
+  "opendbc/tesla_radar_bosch_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/tesla_radar_continental_generated.dbc",
+  "opendbc/tesla_powertrain.dbc",
 ]
 
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
   for f in Path(ROOT).rglob("**/*"):
     if not (f.is_file() or f.is_symlink()):