Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive a connection release message, the connection release message including a resource indicator indicating that a set of resources are to be used for grant-free uplink transmissions by the UE while operating in a disconnected state. The UE may transition from a connected state to a disconnected state based at least in part on the connection release message. The UE may perform, while operating in the disconnected state, the grant-free uplink transmissions using the set of resources.