diff --git a/template/CONTRIBUTING.rst.jinja b/template/CONTRIBUTING.rst.jinja
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11e5ea7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/template/CONTRIBUTING.rst.jinja
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+
+.. highlight:: shell
+
+============
+Contributing
+============
+
+Contributions are welcome, and they are greatly appreciated! Every little bit
+helps, and credit will always be given. The following helps you to start
+contributing specifically to {{ project_slug }}. Please also consider the
+`general contributing guidelines`_ for example regarding the style
+of code and documentation and some helpful hints.
+
+Types of Contributions
+----------------------
+
+Report Bugs or Suggest Features
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+The best place for this is https://github.com/{{ git_username }}/{{ project_slug }}/issues.
+
+Fix Bugs or Implement Features
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+Look through https://github.com/{{ git_username }}/{{ project_slug }}/issues for bugs or feature requests
+and contact us or comment if you are interested in implementing.
+
+Write Documentation
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+{{ project_slug }} could always use more documentation, whether as part of the
+official {{ project_slug }} docs, in docstrings, or even on the web in blog posts,
+articles, and such.
+
+Get Started!
+------------
+
+Ready to contribute? Here's how to set up `{{ project_slug }}` for local development using the command-line interface.
+Note that several alternative user interfaces exist, e.g., the Git GUI, `GitHub Desktop <https://desktop.github.com/>`_,
+extensions in `Visual Studio Code <https://code.visualstudio.com/>`_ ...
+
+1. `Fork <https://docs.github.com/en/get-started/quickstart/fork-a-repo/>`_ the `{{ project_slug }}` repo on GitHub.
+2. Clone your fork locally and cd into the {{ project_slug }} directory::
+
+    $ git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/{{ project_slug }}.git
+    $ cd {{ project_slug }}
+
+3. Install your local copy into a virtualenv. Assuming you have Anaconda or Miniconda installed, this is how you set up your fork for local development::
+
+    $ conda create --name {{ project_slug }} python
+    $ conda activate {{ project_slug }}
+    $ pip install -e ".[dev]"
+
+4. Create a branch for local development. Indicate the intention of your branch in its respective name (i.e. `feature/branch-name` or `bugfix/branch-name`)::
+
+    $ git checkout -b name-of-your-bugfix-or-feature
+
+   Now you can make your changes locally.
+
+5. When you're done making changes, check that your changes pass ruff and the
+   tests::
+
+    $ ruff check
+    $ pytest
+
+   ruff must pass without any warnings for `./{{ project_slug }}` and `./tests` using the default or a stricter
+   configuration. Ruff ignores a couple of PEP Errors (see `./pyproject.toml`). If necessary, adjust your linting configuration in your IDE accordingly.
+
+6. Commit your changes and push your branch to GitHub::
+
+    $ git add .
+    $ git commit -m "Your detailed description of your changes."
+    $ git push origin name-of-your-bugfix-or-feature
+
+7. Submit a pull request on the develop branch through the GitHub website.
+
+
+.. _general contributing guidelines: https://pyfar-gallery.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contribute/index.html
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/test_copier.py b/tests/test_copier.py
index 2b3fad5..7ca449f 100644
--- a/tests/test_copier.py
+++ b/tests/test_copier.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ def test_project_folder(copie, copier_project_defaults):
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("file_name", [
     "README.md",
+    "CONTRIBUTING.rst",
 ])
 def test_generated_file_exists(copie, copier_project_defaults, file_name):
     project = copie.copy(extra_answers=copier_project_defaults)
@@ -35,3 +36,13 @@ def test_content_readme(copie, copier_project_defaults, desired):
     content = project.project_dir.joinpath("README.md").read_text()
     assert desired in content
 
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("desired", [
+    "https://github.com/pyfar/my_project/issues",
+    "$ cd my_project",
+])
+def test_content_contributing(copie, copier_project_defaults, desired):
+    project = copie.copy(extra_answers=copier_project_defaults)
+
+    content = project.project_dir.joinpath("CONTRIBUTING.rst").read_text()
+    assert desired in content