diff --git a/azure-pipelines.yml b/azure-pipelines.yml
index 754c31b085..b8753331e9 100644
--- a/azure-pipelines.yml
+++ b/azure-pipelines.yml
@@ -12,8 +12,12 @@ trigger:
   paths:
     include:
     - /
+    exclude:
+    - docs/*
 
 # should trigger builds for PRs targeting any of the listed branches
+# should _not_ trigger builds for PRs that _only_ have changes in the docs folder
+# should trigger builds for PRs that have changes in both docs folder _and_ any other folder besides docs
 pr:
   branches:
     include:
@@ -23,6 +27,8 @@ pr:
   paths:
     include:
     - /
+    exclude:
+    - docs/*
 
 pool:
   # todo: we dgaf what specific version of Linux is installed, is there any way to wildcard the version?
@@ -65,7 +71,6 @@ steps:
   # * Increment pre-release version
   #     * Force version update even if lerna doesn't detect changes
   #     * Include [skip ci] in commit message to stop pipeline from triggering again when lerna pushes
-  #     * Add pre-dist-tag canary to prevent GitHub releases page from being clogged with pre-releases
   # * Only run for 'dev' branch
   #
 - script: |
@@ -73,7 +78,7 @@ steps:
     git config user.name "Automated Build"
     git remote set-url origin https://$GITHUB_PAT_ENV@github.com/Sitecore/jss.git
     git checkout $(branchName)
-    $(npm bin)/lerna version prerelease --preid canary --pre-dist-tag canary --force-publish --message "version %s [skip ci]" --yes
+    $(npm bin)/lerna version prerelease --preid canary --force-publish --message "version %s [skip ci]" --yes
   displayName: 'pre-release version update'
   condition: and(succeeded(), eq(variables.shouldPublish, true))
   env: