chore: improve repository configuration

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+name: Bug report
+description: Report a bug or unexpected behavior in Cot
+type: bug
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Thank you for taking the time to report a bug! Please fill out the sections below to help us reproduce and fix it.
+
+        If you're unsure whether this is a bug, consider opening a [discussion](https://github.com/cot-rs/cot/discussions/new/choose) or joining our [Discord server](https://discord.cot.rs/) first.
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: description
+    attributes:
+      label: Description
+      description: A clear and concise description of the bug — what happened and what you expected to happen instead.
+      placeholder: |
+        When I do X, Y happens. I expected Z to happen instead.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: reproduction
+    attributes:
+      label: Steps to reproduce
+      description: |
+        Provide a [Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable example](https://stackoverflow.com/help/mcve) that demonstrates the bug. The easier it is to reproduce, the faster we can fix it.
+      placeholder: |
+        1. Create a project with `cot new my-app`
+        2. Add the following to `src/main.rs`: ...
+        3. Run `cargo run`
+        4. See error: ...
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: expected
+    attributes:
+      label: Expected behavior
+      description: What did you expect to happen?
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: environment
+    attributes:
+      label: Environment
+      description: Please fill in the details below.
+      value: |
+        **Cot version**:
+        **Rust environment**:
+        ```
+        // Output of `rustc --version --verbose`
+        ```
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: context
+    attributes:
+      label: Additional context
+      description: Any other information that might be relevant — logs, error messages, related issues, etc.

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+blank_issues_enabled: false
+contact_links:
+  - name: Ask a question or share feedback
+    url: https://github.com/cot-rs/cot/discussions/new/choose
+    about: Use GitHub Discussions for questions, ideas, or general feedback.
+  - name: Chat with us on Discord
+    url: https://discord.cot.rs/
+    about: Join our Discord server for real-time discussion and help.

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+name: Feature request
+description: Propose a new feature or improvement for Cot
+type: feature
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Thank you for helping shape Cot! Before opening a feature request, consider starting a [discussion](https://github.com/cot-rs/cot/discussions/new/choose) or joining our [Discord server](https://discord.cot.rs/) to get early feedback.
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: problem
+    attributes:
+      label: Problem statement
+      description: What problem are you trying to solve? Help us understand the motivation before jumping to solutions.
+      placeholder: |
+        Currently, I have to do X every time I want to Y, which is tedious because...
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: solution
+    attributes:
+      label: Proposed solution
+      description: Describe what you'd like Cot to support. Include API sketches or code examples if possible.
+      placeholder: |
+        Cot could provide a `#[derive(Foo)]` macro that automatically...
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: alternatives
+    attributes:
+      label: Alternatives considered
+      description: What other approaches did you consider, and why aren't they sufficient?
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: drawbacks
+    attributes:
+      label: Drawbacks
+      description: Are there any downsides or trade-offs to your proposed solution?
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: context
+    attributes:
+      label: Additional context
+      description: Any other relevant information, links to prior art, or related issues.

.github/pull_request_template.md

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+## Related issue or discussion
+
+<!-- Every PR must be preceded by an issue or discussion.
+     Link it here using "Fixes #123", "Closes #123", or "Related to #123". -->
+
+## Description
+
+<!-- What does this PR do and why? -->
+
+## Type of change
+
+- [ ] Bug fix
+- [ ] New feature
+- [ ] Documentation
+- [ ] Refactor / cleanup
+- [ ] Performance improvement
+- [ ] Other (describe above)
+
+## Checklist
+
+- [ ] I've read the [contributing guide](CONTRIBUTING.md)
+- [ ] Tests pass locally (`just test-all`)
+- [ ] Code passes clippy (`just clippy`)
+- [ ] Code is properly formatted (`cargo fmt`)
+- [ ] New tests added (regression test for bugs, coverage for new features)
+- [ ] Documentation (both code and site) updated (if applicable)
+
+<!-- Please mark the PR as in progress if you haven't completed the checklist -->

README.md

@@ -2,10 +2,11 @@
 <h1><img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cot-rs/media/6585c518/logo/logo-text.svg" alt="Cot" width="300"></h1>
 
 [![Rust Build Status](https://github.com/cot-rs/cot/workflows/Rust%20CI/badge.svg)](https://github.com/cot-rs/cot/actions/workflows/rust.yml)
+[![codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/cot-rs/cot/branch/master/graph/badge.svg)](https://codecov.io/gh/cot-rs/cot)
 [![crates.io](https://img.shields.io/crates/v/cot.svg)](https://crates.io/crates/cot)
 [![Guide](https://img.shields.io/website?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcot.rs%2Fguide%2Flatest%2F&label=guide&up_message=online)](https://cot.rs/guide/latest/)
 [![Documentation](https://docs.rs/cot/badge.svg)](https://docs.rs/cot)
-[![codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/cot-rs/cot/branch/master/graph/badge.svg)](https://codecov.io/gh/cot-rs/cot)
+<br>
 [![Discord chat](https://img.shields.io/discord/1330137289287925781?logo=Discord&logoColor=white)](https://discord.cot.rs)
 [![GitHub Sponsors](https://img.shields.io/github/sponsors/cot-rs?label=GitHub%20sponsors)](https://github.com/sponsors/cot-rs)
 [![Open Collective backers](https://img.shields.io/opencollective/backers/cot?label=Open%20Collective%20backers)](https://opencollective.com/cot)
@@ -63,6 +64,8 @@ cargo run
 **We recommend you to read the [official guide](https://cot.rs/guide/latest/) to learn more about Cot
 and how to use it.**
 
+Got interested or have questions? Join our [Discord server](https://discord.cot.rs/) — we'd love to hear from you!
+
 ### cot-cli packages
 
 If you prefer to use your operating system's package manager to manage the `cot-cli` package, you can find it in the
@@ -73,21 +76,9 @@ manager might not be the latest one, so we recommend just using the official pac
 
 ## Development
 
-### Testing
-
-Tests that require using external databases are ignored by default. In order to run them, execute the following in the
-root of the repository:
-
-```shell
-docker compose up -d
-cargo test --all-features -- --include-ignored
-```
-
-You can them execute the following command to stop the database:
+If you want to contribute to Cot, please read the [contributing guide](https://cot.rs/guide/latest/contributing). It will guide you through the process of setting up your development environment and making contributions.
 
-```shell
-docker compose down
-```
+Thanks in advance for your contributions — every contribution is appreciated!
 
 ## Star History
 
@@ -99,6 +90,15 @@ docker compose down
  </picture>
 </a>
 
+## Sponsorship
+
+Cot is an independent, open-source project. If you find it useful, please consider sponsoring its development — your support helps us dedicate more time to building and maintaining the framework.
+
+- [GitHub Sponsors](https://github.com/sponsors/cot-rs)
+- [Open Collective](https://opencollective.com/cot)
+
+A huge thank you to all our existing sponsors — your generosity makes this project possible!
+
 ## Contributors
 
 <a href="https://github.com/cot-rs/cot/graphs/contributors">