diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug.yml
index 83cb694..e36cc9e 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 name: Bug report
-description: Report reproducible incorrect behavior in ecosystem policy or tooling
+description: Report reproducible incorrect behavior in Specs contracts or payload handling
 title: "[Bug]: "
 labels:
   - "type: bug"
@@ -10,7 +10,10 @@ body:
   - type: markdown
     attributes:
       value: |
-        Search existing issues first. Do not disclose suspected vulnerabilities here.
+        Read the [contribution guide](https://github.com/ml4t/specs/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md)
+        and [shared policy](https://github.com/ml4t/ecosystem/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+        Search existing issues first and report one problem per issue. Do not disclose suspected
+        vulnerabilities here; use private security reporting from the issue chooser.
   - type: dropdown
     id: library
     attributes:
@@ -78,3 +81,17 @@ body:
       description: State the observable conditions that demonstrate the issue is resolved.
     validations:
       required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: ai_assistance
+    attributes:
+      label: AI assistance
+      description: State whether AI tools helped prepare this report and which parts. Write "None" if unused.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: checkboxes
+    id: accountability
+    attributes:
+      label: Contributor accountability
+      options:
+        - label: I reviewed this report and can explain its reproduction, requested behavior, or evidence.
+          required: true
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
index 23e4f2d..70454e2 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
@@ -3,6 +3,6 @@ contact_links:
   - name: Security vulnerability
     url: https://github.com/ml4t/specs/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.
+  - name: Usage documentation
+    url: https://www.ml4trading.io/docs/specs/
+    about: Read contract documentation before opening an issue.
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation.yml
index d060f5a..23b6857 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: |
+        Read the [contribution guide](https://github.com/ml4t/specs/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md)
+        and [shared policy](https://github.com/ml4t/ecosystem/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+        Search existing issues first. Describe one documentation problem or coherent change.
   - type: dropdown
     id: library
     attributes:
@@ -53,3 +59,17 @@ body:
       label: Acceptance criteria
     validations:
       required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: ai_assistance
+    attributes:
+      label: AI assistance
+      description: State whether AI tools helped prepare this report and which parts. Write "None" if unused.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: checkboxes
+    id: accountability
+    attributes:
+      label: Contributor accountability
+      options:
+        - label: I reviewed this report and can explain its reproduction, requested behavior, or evidence.
+          required: true
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature.yml
index ca17225..40d3d32 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,14 @@ labels:
   - "status: needs-triage"
   - "compatibility: affected"
 body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Read the [contribution guide](https://github.com/ml4t/specs/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md)
+        and [shared policy](https://github.com/ml4t/ecosystem/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+        Search existing issues first. Request one coherent change and discuss intended behavior
+        before opening a PR. Identify contract versioning, serialized fixtures, migration guidance,
+        and affected producer/consumer libraries when compatibility changes.
   - type: dropdown
     id: library
     attributes:
@@ -64,3 +72,17 @@ body:
       label: Acceptance criteria
     validations:
       required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: ai_assistance
+    attributes:
+      label: AI assistance
+      description: State whether AI tools helped prepare this report and which parts. Write "None" if unused.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: checkboxes
+    id: accountability
+    attributes:
+      label: Contributor accountability
+      options:
+        - label: I reviewed this report and can explain its reproduction, requested behavior, or evidence.
+          required: true
diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 0d92431..465c36e 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -2,6 +2,11 @@
 
 Closes #
 
+Follow the [shared contribution policy](https://github.com/ml4t/ecosystem/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md)
+and [Specs guide](https://github.com/ml4t/specs/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+Keep one problem or coherent change in this PR. Automated dependency updates and administrative
+metadata changes do not require a separate issue.
+
 ## Outcome
 
 Describe the user-visible or standards outcome.
@@ -11,9 +16,21 @@ Describe the user-visible or standards outcome.
 - [ ] No public compatibility impact
 - [ ] Compatibility impact is documented in the owning issue and migration guidance
 
+For incompatible contract changes, identify the new version, migration guidance, serialized
+fixtures, and affected producer/consumer libraries. Agree on intentional changes to definitions
+or defaults in the owning issue; correct verified defects even when outputs change.
+
 ## Verification
 
-- [ ] Tests reproduce the prior failure or verify the requested behavior
+For a bug fix, record a regression through the affected public API or real workflow:
+
+- Base revision, command, and failing result:
+- PR revision, same command, and passing result:
+
+For other changes, report the relevant commands and outcomes. Documentation changes do not need
+artificial regression tests. Explain checks that do not apply.
+
+- [ ] Verification covers the affected contract or workflow
 - [ ] Ruff lint and format checks pass
 - [ ] `ty` passes
 - [ ] Test suite passes
@@ -21,6 +38,12 @@ Describe the user-visible or standards outcome.
 - [ ] Strict MkDocs build passes when documentation is affected
 - [ ] Ecosystem qualification passes
 
+## AI assistance
+
+State whether AI tools helped with code or prose, and identify those parts. Write "None" if unused.
+
+- [ ] I reviewed and tested this submission and can explain its implementation and evidence
+
 ## Documentation and release
 
 State the documentation, release notes, and patch-release work required after merge.
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..525bd72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# Contributing to ML4T Specs
+
+Follow the [shared ML4T contribution policy](https://github.com/ml4t/ecosystem/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+Search existing issues and describe one problem or coherent change per issue and focused pull
+request. Link the owning issue; automated dependency updates and administrative metadata changes
+retain the shared exception. Disclose AI assistance for code and prose, review the submission,
+and be prepared to explain its implementation and evidence.
+
+For defects, provide a minimal public-API reproduction with package and environment details.
+Record the same regression command failing on the base revision and passing on the correction.
+Correct verified numerical defects; agree on intentional changes to definitions or defaults in
+the owning issue. Documentation changes use relevant documentation checks rather than artificial
+regression tests. Report suspected vulnerabilities through
+[private security reporting](https://github.com/ml4t/specs/security/advisories/new).
+
+## Preserve contract compatibility
+
+Specs owns runtime-neutral values exchanged between libraries. Field names, enum values,
+validation behavior, and serialized payloads are public compatibility surfaces. Preserve compatible
+payloads. An incompatible change needs a new contract version, migration guidance, and fixtures
+that define the transition. Describe affected producer and consumer libraries in the owning issue;
+Backtest and Live retain responsibility for their runtime behavior.
+
+Read the [contract guide](docs/contracts.md) and use the documented development and quality
+commands in [AGENTS.md](AGENTS.md#quality-commands). Include the commands and outcomes in your PR.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e50305c..e7be0b1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -183,6 +183,9 @@ This package is intentionally small. It is a support layer, not a full end-user
 
 ## Development
 
+Read the [contribution guide](CONTRIBUTING.md) for issue scope, verification evidence, and contract
+compatibility requirements.
+
 ```bash
 git clone https://github.com/ml4t/specs.git
 cd ml4t-specs