diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 82918b0..604b9f3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -192,6 +192,10 @@ All backend APIs are mounted under:
 - `npm run build` → production build
 - `npm run lint` → ESLint
 
+## Contributing
+
+Please read [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) before opening a pull request. It includes the PR template, commit message format, and the local validation checks we expect contributors to run before review.
+
 ## Logging
 
 The backend uses Winston for structured logging.
@@ -239,4 +243,4 @@ npm run test:auth:unit
 - Set `NODE_ENV=production`
 - Use a production MongoDB connection string
 - Configure Logtail variables if production logging is needed
-- Prefer `MAIL_TRANSPORT=gmail_api` for production deployments
\ No newline at end of file
+- Prefer `MAIL_TRANSPORT=gmail_api` for production deployments