diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
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+<!--
+Keep this short. A tired reviewer at 11pm should grok it in 30 seconds.
+Delete sections that don't apply. Don't add new ones.
+-->
+
+## Summary
+<!-- 1-3 sentences. What does this PR do, in plain language? -->
+
+## What changed
+- <!-- bulleted facts; one change per bullet -->
+
+## Why now
+<!-- One line. Link an issue or motivation. e.g. "Fixes #123" or "Unblocks rollout N." -->
+
+## How to verify
+```
+# commands a reviewer can paste
+```
+Expected: <!-- what they should see -->
+
+## Risks / follow-ups
+<!-- Be honest. "None known" is a valid answer. List follow-up issues if any. -->
+
+## Related
+<!-- PRs, issues, umbrella work. Delete if none. -->
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
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+# Contributing
+
+Thanks for showing up. This doc exists so your first PR lands without a scavenger hunt.
+
+## Setup
+
+```bash
+git clone <this-repo>
+cd <repo>
+# Chitin-platform repos: `chitin init` bootstraps deps
+# Go repos: `go build ./...`
+# Python repos: `uv sync` or `pip install -e .`
+```
+
+If setup takes more than one command and a coffee, that's a bug — file an issue.
+
+## PR naming
+
+We use [Conventional Commits](https://www.conventionalcommits.org/):
+
+```
+<type>(<scope>): <summary>
+```
+
+Types: `feat`, `fix`, `docs`, `chore`, `refactor`, `test`, `perf`.
+
+Real examples from this org:
+
+- `feat(session): enrich triple with SoulContext`
+- `fix(hook): tag governance events with active soul`
+- `docs: add claws wrapper to GETTING_STARTED`
+
+Scope is optional but helps reviewers route. Keep the summary under 70 chars.
+
+## PR template
+
+`.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md` fills in when you open a PR. It's short on purpose. If a section doesn't apply, delete it. If you feel like adding a section, don't — open an issue instead.
+
+## Review flow
+
+1. CI + Copilot review run automatically on open.
+2. Address Copilot comments before requesting human review (most are legit).
+3. A human reviewer merges. Squash-merge is the default.
+
+## Optional: soul context
+
+If you wrote the PR under a specific cognitive lens (e.g. `hopper`, `feynman`, `turing`), mention it in the Summary. It's a hint for reviewers, not a requirement.
+
+## Questions
+
+Open an issue or ping in the workspace chat. Silent struggles help no one.