diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0bc8b82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+blank_issues_enabled: true
+contact_links:
+  - name: contribute to vit
+    url: https://github.com/solpbc/vit/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md
+    about: contributions to vit flow as capabilities, not pull requests. read the contributing guide to get started.
+  - name: explore the network
+    url: https://explore.v-it.org
+    about: browse live capabilities, skills, and projects on the vit network.
diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e70a23f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+**vit contributions flow as capabilities, not pull requests.**
+
+if you've built something for vit, ship it as a cap — that's how the network works, and it's how vit itself is built. your contribution gets identity, provenance, and reputation attached to it automatically.
+
+see [CONTRIBUTING.md](../CONTRIBUTING.md) for the full workflow: setup, the skim/vet/remix/ship loop, and what makes a good capability.
+
+if this PR is a security disclosure or something that genuinely can't be a capability, please describe why below.
+
+---
+
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6357ec8..48f19fa 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -74,6 +74,12 @@ vit is a human+agent collaboration tool. it works with [Claude Code](https://cla
 - **[VOCAB.md](VOCAB.md)** — terminology: capabilities, beacons, skills, and the verbs that drive the workflow
 - **[ARCHITECTURE.md](ARCHITECTURE.md)** — technical design: ATProto record types, cap lexicons, and system internals
 
+## contributing
+
+contributions to vit happen through vit itself — you ship capabilities, not pull requests. this isn't a policy; it's the product working as designed. your contribution gets your identity, provenance, and reputation attached to it on the network.
+
+read [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for the full setup and the skim/vet/remix/ship loop.
+
 ## links
 
 - **[homepage](https://v-it.org)** — what vit is and why it exists