# Contributing to [Project name]

Thank you for your interest in contributing. This guide explains how to report problems, suggest changes, and submit pull requests.

## Code of conduct

This project follows the [Code of Conduct](CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md). By participating, you agree to follow it. Report unacceptable behavior to [contact email or link].

## Ways to contribute

- Report a bug
- Suggest a feature or improvement
- Improve the documentation
- Fix an issue labeled `good first issue` or `help wanted`
- Review open pull requests

## Asking questions

Use [Discussions, forum, or chat link] for questions. The issue tracker is for bugs and feature requests.

## Reporting bugs

1. Search [existing issues](https://github.com/[owner]/[repository]/issues) to check whether the bug is already reported.
2. If it is not, open a new issue using the bug report template.
3. Include the version, operating system, steps to reproduce, expected result, and actual result.

## Reporting security issues

Do not open a public issue for a security vulnerability. Follow the process in [SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md).

## Suggesting features

Open an issue describing the problem you want to solve, who it affects, and the change you propose. For large changes, wait for maintainer feedback before starting work.

## Setting up the development environment

**Requirements:** [Language or runtime and version], [other tools]

```bash
git clone https://github.com/[your-username]/[repository].git
cd [repository]
[install dependencies command]
[run tests command]
```

## Making changes

1. Fork the repository and create a branch from `[main]`: `git checkout -b [type]/[short-description]`
2. Make your change in small, focused commits.
3. Add or update tests for the change.
4. Update documentation when behavior changes.
5. Add an entry under `## [Unreleased]` in [CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md) for user-facing changes.
6. Run the checks below before opening a pull request.

## Style and checks

- **Formatting:** [Formatter and command]
- **Linting:** [Linter and command]
- **Tests:** [Test command]
- **Commit messages:** [Convention, for example: short imperative summary under 72 characters]

## Opening a pull request

- Link the related issue, for example `Closes #123`.
- Describe what changed and why.
- Include screenshots for visible changes.
- Keep each pull request to one logical change.
- Make sure all checks pass.

## Review process

A maintainer will review your pull request within [time frame]. Reviewers may ask for changes. When the pull request is approved and checks pass, a maintainer will merge it.

## License

By contributing, you agree that your contributions will be licensed under the [License name] license that covers this project. [Add any Contributor License Agreement or Developer Certificate of Origin requirement here.]

## Getting help

Contact [maintainer name, team, or channel] if you are unsure how to proceed.