diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug.yml
index 8d333ea..489aadf 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug.yml
@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@ body:
   - type: markdown
     attributes:
       value: |
-        Search existing issues first. Do not disclose suspected vulnerabilities here.
+        Follow the [contribution guide](https://github.com/ml4t/live/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+        Search existing issues and describe one problem or coherent change per issue.
+        Report suspected vulnerabilities privately, not in this form.
   - type: input
     id: version
     attributes:
@@ -63,3 +65,11 @@ body:
       description: State the observable conditions that demonstrate the issue is resolved.
     validations:
       required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: ai-assistance
+    attributes:
+      label: AI assistance and accountability
+      description: State whether AI helped with this report and how. Confirm you checked the facts and can explain the reproduction or requested outcome.
+      placeholder: "None, or describe the assistance and your verification."
+    validations:
+      required: true
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
index 3980c19..7e1ff25 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
@@ -4,5 +4,8 @@ contact_links:
     url: https://github.com/ml4t/live/security/advisories/new
     about: Report suspected vulnerabilities privately.
   - name: Usage questions
-    url: https://github.com/orgs/ml4t/discussions
-    about: Ask questions that do not describe a defect or requested change.
+    url: https://www.ml4trading.io/docs/live/
+    about: Read the usage documentation before opening a focused issue.
+  - name: Contribution guide
+    url: https://github.com/ml4t/live/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md
+    about: Read the shared contribution requirements and repository-specific checks.
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation.yml
index e03f26d..cd72878 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,12 @@ labels:
   - "status: needs-triage"
   - "compatibility: none"
 body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Follow the [contribution guide](https://github.com/ml4t/live/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+        Search existing issues and describe one problem or coherent change per issue.
+        Report suspected vulnerabilities privately, not in this form.
   - type: input
     id: version
     attributes:
@@ -38,3 +44,11 @@ body:
       label: Acceptance criteria
     validations:
       required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: ai-assistance
+    attributes:
+      label: AI assistance and accountability
+      description: State whether AI helped with this report and how. Confirm you checked the facts and can explain the reproduction or requested outcome.
+      placeholder: "None, or describe the assistance and your verification."
+    validations:
+      required: true
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature.yml
index da95266..5b2f261 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,12 @@ labels:
   - "status: needs-triage"
   - "compatibility: affected"
 body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Follow the [contribution guide](https://github.com/ml4t/live/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+        Search existing issues and describe one problem or coherent change per issue.
+        Report suspected vulnerabilities privately, not in this form.
   - type: input
     id: version
     attributes:
@@ -49,3 +55,11 @@ body:
       label: Acceptance criteria
     validations:
       required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: ai-assistance
+    attributes:
+      label: AI assistance and accountability
+      description: State whether AI helped with this report and how. Confirm you checked the facts and can explain the reproduction or requested outcome.
+      placeholder: "None, or describe the assistance and your verification."
+    validations:
+      required: true
diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 0d92431..edadb7e 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
+Follow the [local contribution guide](https://github.com/ml4t/live/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) and shared policy linked there.
+Keep this PR focused on one problem or coherent change.
+
 ## Owning issue
 
 Closes #
 
+Automated dependency updates and administrative metadata changes do not require a separate issue.
+
 ## Outcome
 
 Describe the user-visible or standards outcome.
@@ -13,7 +18,8 @@ Describe the user-visible or standards outcome.
 
 ## Verification
 
-- [ ] Tests reproduce the prior failure or verify the requested behavior
+- [ ] For a defect, the same public-workflow regression fails on the relevant base and passes on the fix
+- [ ] Exact base/fix revisions, commands, and results are included; documentation uses relevant checks
 - [ ] Ruff lint and format checks pass
 - [ ] `ty` passes
 - [ ] Test suite passes
@@ -24,3 +30,9 @@ Describe the user-visible or standards outcome.
 ## Documentation and release
 
 State the documentation, release notes, and patch-release work required after merge.
+
+## AI assistance and accountability
+
+State whether AI assisted with code or prose and identify its contribution.
+
+- [ ] I reviewed and tested this submission and can explain its implementation and evidence
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ff0f0c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# Contributing to ML4T Live
+
+Follow the [shared ML4T contribution policy](https://github.com/ml4t/ecosystem/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+Search existing issues first. Describe one problem or coherent change per issue and submit one
+focused PR linked to its owning issue. Automated dependency updates and administrative metadata
+changes retain the shared exception.
+
+For defects, provide a minimal reproduction through the public API or user workflow, package and
+environment details, and expected behavior. Record a regression failing on the relevant base and
+passing on the fix, with exact revisions, commands, and results. Correct verified numerical defects;
+agree on intentional changes to definitions, annualization, signs, or defaults in the owning issue
+and describe their compatibility impact. Documentation changes use relevant documentation checks.
+
+Disclose whether AI assisted with code or prose and identify its contribution. Review and test your
+submission yourself, and be prepared to explain its implementation, evidence, and review responses.
+
+Start integration work in shadow or paper mode. Preserve explicit live-routing selection,
+provider qualification, recovery behavior, and credential isolation.
+Use the repository's [quality commands](AGENTS.md#quality-commands) and report their outcomes.
+Report suspected vulnerabilities through
+[private security reporting](https://github.com/ml4t/live/security/advisories/new).
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3db8736..e62427d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -94,6 +94,8 @@ shared lifecycle and canonical intent contracts. See the
 
 ## Development
 
+Read the [contribution guide](CONTRIBUTING.md) before opening an issue or pull request.
+
 ```bash
 git clone https://github.com/ml4t/live.git
 cd live