diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..358195b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+# Contributing
+
+Thanks for helping with VocaMac. Keep dictation on-device after the model is downloaded. Do not add a Voca cloud speech path.
+
+VocaMac is Beta, Apple Silicon only, macOS 14+. Intel Macs are not supported.
+
+Coding agents should also read [AGENTS.md](AGENTS.md).
+
+## Ways to help
+
+- Bugs and ideas: [GitHub issues](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocamac/issues)
+- Docs: `README.md`, `docs/`, and the Hugo site in `web/`
+- App or test fixes against `main`
+- Review PRs for privacy, insertion, and Apple Silicon regressions
+
+Look for `good first issue` when that label is in use.
+
+
+## Development setup
+
+You need an Apple Silicon Mac on macOS 14+, plus Xcode 15+.
+
+`make build`, `make run`, and `make install` need Xcode (`xcodebuild`). A Swift 5.9+ toolchain alone is enough for some unit tests, not for building `VocaMac.app`.
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocamac.git
+cd vocamac
+make test
+make build
+make run
+```
+
+`make install` builds and copies the app to `/Applications`. `make help` lists the rest.
+
+
+## Pull requests
+
+Open against main. Keep the diff focused.
+
+- Add or update tests for the behavior you change.
+- Update README or docs/ when install, privacy, engines, or architecture change.
+- Do not weaken on-device transcription, clipboard restore, or permissions without saying so in the PR.
+- App CI runs on macos-15 with Xcode 26. Website CI runs when web/ changes.
+
+Maintainers can comment /build on a PR for a signed, notarized DMG.
+
+## Community
+
+Discord (https://discord.gg/t6muquAJbm) is the fastest place to talk with maintainers. Follow @vocahq on X.
+
+## License
+
+Contributions are licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 (AGPL-3.0). Opening a pull request means your contribution may be distributed under that license.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 97e5875..b479e8b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -594,6 +594,12 @@ Release builds of VocaMac are **Developer ID signed and notarized** by Apple. Ac
 
 ---
 
+## Contributing
+
+See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
+---
+
 ## 📄 License
 
 AGPL-3.0 License - see [LICENSE](LICENSE) for details.