diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+# Contributing to Clawdis
+
+Welcome to the lobster tank! 🦞
+
+## Quick Links
+- **GitHub:** https://github.com/steipete/clawdis
+- **Discord:** https://discord.gg/qkhbAGHRBT
+- **X/Twitter:** [@steipete](https://x.com/steipete) / [@clawdbot](https://x.com/clawdbot)
+
+## Maintainers
+
+- **Peter Steinberger** - Benevolent Dictator
+  - GitHub: [@steipete](https://github.com/steipete) · X: [@steipete](https://x.com/steipete)
+
+- **Shadow** - Discord subsystem
+  - GitHub: [@4shadowed](https://github.com/4shadowed) · X: [@4shad0wed](https://x.com/4shad0wed)
+
+- **Jos** - Telegram, API, Nix mode
+  - GitHub: [@joshp123](https://github.com/joshp123) · X: [@jjpcodes](https://x.com/jjpcodes)
+
+## How to Contribute
+1. **Bugs & small fixes** → Open a PR!
+2. **New features / architecture** → Start a [GitHub Discussion](https://github.com/steipete/clawdis/discussions) or ask in Discord first
+3. **Questions** → Discord #setup-help
+
+## Before You PR
+- Test locally with your Clawdis instance
+- Run linter: `npm run lint`
+- Keep PRs focused (one thing per PR)
+- Describe what & why
+
+## AI/Vibe-Coded PRs Welcome! 🤖
+
+Built with Codex, Claude, or other AI tools? **Awesome - just mark it!**
+
+Please include in your PR:
+- [ ] Mark as AI-assisted in the PR title or description
+- [ ] Note the degree of testing (untested / lightly tested / fully tested)
+- [ ] Include prompts or session logs if possible (super helpful!)
+- [ ] Confirm you understand what the code does
+
+AI PRs are first-class citizens here. We just want transparency so reviewers know what to look for.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -231,6 +231,12 @@ clawdis hooks gmail run
 - [`docs/ios/connect.md`](docs/ios/connect.md)
 - [`docs/clawdis-mac.md`](docs/clawdis-mac.md)
 
+## Contributing
+
+See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for guidelines, maintainers, and how to submit PRs.
+
+AI/vibe-coded PRs welcome! 🤖
+
 ## Clawd
 
 Clawdis was built for **Clawd**, a space lobster AI assistant.