diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 36f67df..8da7613 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -66,6 +66,10 @@ markers, are kept in step with `studiobimo/project-template`. Change them there,
 `make -C .devtools sync` brings the change in. `make -C .devtools drift` shows what differs, and a
 weekly workflow opens an issue when something does. A deliberate difference goes in
 `.template-ignore`, with a comment saying why.
+
+Projects only receive a change at a release, and release-please releases only `fix`, `feat` and
+breaking commits. A change to a managed file titled `chore`, `docs` or `ci` merges but never reaches
+`sync`, so title it `fix` or `feat`.
 <!-- <<< template:workflow -->
 
 ## Releases