diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 2ea5d56..3394b73 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -1,12 +1,15 @@
 # Contributing to WaveFlow
 
-WaveFlow automates bounty escrow on Stellar/Soroban with GitHub merge-triggered payouts.
+WaveFlow automates bounty escrow on Stellar/Soroban with GitHub merge-triggered payouts. Contributions should stay aligned with the PRD, roadmap, and the merge-to-payout core loop.
 
 ## Before you start
 
 1. Read [docs/PRD.md](docs/PRD.md) for product scope.
-2. Read [docs/ROADMAP.md](docs/ROADMAP.md) for phase plan.
+2. Read [docs/ROADMAP.md](docs/ROADMAP.md) for phase planning.
 3. Walk through [docs/core-loop.md](docs/core-loop.md) for the merge-to-payout path.
+4. Check [AGENTS.md](AGENTS.md) for repository-specific agent guidance.
+
+Pick an open issue before opening a pull request. Prefer issues with a clear scope, acceptance criteria, and a complexity label. If the scope is unclear, ask for clarification on the issue before starting work.
 
 ## Development setup
 
@@ -27,13 +30,84 @@ cargo test --workspace
 | `crates/gateway` | GitHub webhooks and chain attestation |
 | `crates/api` | REST API for programs and payouts |
 | `crates/shared` | Config, types, errors |
+| `migrations/` | Postgres schema and migrations |
+| `docs/` | Product, architecture, operations, and setup documentation |
+
+## Issue label workflow
+
+Issue titles use a prefix to identify the main area of the repository:
+
+| Prefix | Area | Typical files |
+|--------|------|---------------|
+| `[contracts]` | Soroban escrow logic | `contracts/waveflow-escrow/` |
+| `[gateway]` | GitHub webhook ingestion and chain attestation | `crates/gateway/` |
+| `[api]` | REST API and admin/read paths | `crates/api/` |
+| `[shared]` | Shared types, config, and errors | `crates/shared/` |
+| `[database]` | Postgres schema and migrations | `migrations/` |
+| `[infra]` | Docker, Render, deployment, and operational config | `Dockerfile.*`, `docker-compose.yml`, `render.yaml`, `scripts/` |
+| `[documentation]` | README, runbooks, and guides | `README.md`, `docs/`, `AGENTS.md` |
+
+Maintainers may also apply program and planning labels:
+
+- `Stellar Wave` or `Drips Wave` marks work that maps to the Wave-style contributor program.
+- `complexity:low`, `complexity:medium`, and `complexity:high` indicate the expected effort and point mapping.
+- Feature labels such as `F1` through `F7` map issues to the PRD feature sections.
+- Launch-gate labels such as `PR-1` through `PR-8` map issues to the production readiness gates in the roadmap.
+
+When an issue is part of the Wave workflow, the maintainer-assigned complexity label is the source of truth for point mapping.
+
+## Branch and pull request conventions
+
+Use a short, descriptive branch name based on the issue scope:
+
+```text
+<area>-<short-description>
+```
+
+Examples:
+
+- `gateway-verify-delivery-id`
+- `api-program-payouts`
+- `docs-maintainer-runbook`
+
+Pull requests should:
 
-## Pull requests
+- Branch from `main` and open PRs against `main`.
+- Link the issue with `Fixes #<issue-number>` when the PR fully resolves it.
+- Keep the change focused on one issue or one feature slice.
+- Include the commands you ran under a validation or testing section.
+- Update documentation when behavior, environment variables, APIs, or operations change.
+- Avoid placeholder production paths, simulated transaction hashes, or hardcoded secrets.
+
+## Stellar-native scope
+
+WaveFlow is an independent Stellar/Soroban implementation of Wave-style bounty mechanics. The expected flow is:
+
+1. Maintainers lock Stellar assets in Soroban escrow.
+2. Contributors register Stellar wallets.
+3. The gateway verifies GitHub merge events.
+4. The contract pays rewards on-chain using the configured point-to-token ratio.
+
+Keep contributions inside that model unless a maintainer explicitly changes the PRD.
+
+## Local validation
+
+Run the smallest command set that proves your change. Common commands from the repository root are:
+
+```bash
+cargo fmt --all -- --check
+cargo clippy --all-targets --all-features -- -D warnings
+cargo test --workspace
+```
+
+For focused work, use crate-specific checks such as:
+
+```bash
+cargo test -p waveflow-escrow record_merge_pays_contributor
+cargo test -p waveflow-gateway verify_github_signature
+```
 
-- Branch from `main`, open PRs against `main`.
-- Run `cargo fmt`, `cargo clippy`, and `cargo test --workspace` before pushing.
-- Use issue prefixes: `[contracts]`, `[backend]`, `[documentation]`, `[infra]`.
-- Label Drips Wave issues with `Drips Wave` and `complexity:*`.
+Document any command you could not run and why.
 
 ## Security
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 351345e..75aff75 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ cargo run -p waveflow-api
 
 ## Documentation
 
+- [Contributing Guide](CONTRIBUTING.md)
 - [Product Requirements](docs/PRD.md)
 - [Implementation Roadmap](docs/ROADMAP.md)
 - [Core loop walkthrough](docs/core-loop.md)