Merge pull request modelcontextprotocol#2358 from modelcontextprotocol/den/sep-guidance

Add guidance to discuss SEPs with working groups before submission

Author: dend

docs/community/sep-guidelines.mdx

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ The SEP process is reserved for changes that are substantial enough to require b
 - Adding examples to existing features
 - Minor schema fixes that don't change behavior
 
-Not sure? Ask in [Discord](https://discord.gg/6CSzBmMkjX) before starting significant work.
+Not sure? Ask in [Discord](/community/communication#discord) before starting significant work.
 
 ## SEP Types
 
@@ -69,6 +69,15 @@ flowchart TD
 
 ### Step-by-Step Process
 
+<Note>
+  To improve your chances of a SEP being accepted:
+
+- **Discuss your idea with the relevant [working or interest group](/community/working-interest-groups) in [Discord](/community/communication#discord) first.** This is the single best way to refine your proposal and build early support.
+- **If no relevant group exists, start a conversation in [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/modelcontextprotocol/discussions) or the `#general` channel in [Discord](/community/communication#discord).** If there is enough interest, it may be worth [creating a new IG or WG](/community/working-interest-groups#creating-an-interest-group) — the effort involved in finding sponsors and facilitators is a good signal of whether the idea has sufficient traction, and is still preferable to a cold submission.
+- **Check alignment with [Core Maintainer](/community/governance#roles) priorities and [design principles](/community/design-principles).** Priorities are generally reflected in the [project roadmap](/development/roadmap). Proposals outside current priorities or that conflict with design principles are more likely to face delays or additional friction in the review process.
+
+</Note>
+
 1. **Draft your SEP** as a markdown file named `0000-your-feature-title.md`, using `0000` as a placeholder. Follow the [SEP format](#sep-format) below.
 
 2. **Create a pull request** adding your SEP file to the `seps/` directory in the [specification repository](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/modelcontextprotocol).