diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
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--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -1,13 +1,83 @@
 # Contributing to Peregrine
 
-See the full contributing guide in the documentation:
-https://docs.circuitforge.io/peregrine/developer-guide/contributing/
+Thanks for your interest. Peregrine is developed primarily at
+[git.opensourcesolarpunk.com](https://git.opensourcesolarpunk.com/pyr0ball/peregrine).
+GitHub and Codeberg are push mirrors — issues and PRs are welcome on either platform.
 
-## Quick start
+---
 
-1. Fork the repo and create a feature branch (`feat/my-feature`)
-2. Set up the dev environment: `conda env create -f environment.yml`
-3. Run tests: `conda run -n job-seeker python -m pytest tests/ -v`
-4. Open a pull request — all CI checks must pass
+## License
 
-See the docs for: adding custom scrapers, adding integrations, code style, and PR checklist.
+Peregrine is licensed under **[BSL 1.1](./LICENSE-BSL)** — Business Source License.
+
+What this means for you:
+
+| Use case | Allowed? |
+|----------|----------|
+| Personal self-hosting, non-commercial | ✅ Free |
+| Contributing code, fixing bugs, writing docs | ✅ Free |
+| Commercial SaaS / hosted service | 🔒 Requires a paid license |
+| After 4 years from each release date | ✅ Converts to MIT |
+
+**By submitting a pull request you agree that your contribution is licensed under the
+project's BSL 1.1 terms.** The PR template includes this as a checkbox.
+
+---
+
+## Dev Setup
+
+See [`docs/getting-started/installation.md`](docs/getting-started/installation.md) for
+full instructions.
+
+**Quick start (Docker — recommended):**
+
+```bash
+git clone https://git.opensourcesolarpunk.com/pyr0ball/peregrine.git
+cd peregrine
+./setup.sh        # installs deps, activates git hooks
+./manage.sh start
+```
+
+**Conda (no Docker):**
+
+```bash
+conda run -n job-seeker pip install -r requirements.txt
+streamlit run app/app.py
+```
+
+---
+
+## Commit Format
+
+Hooks enforce [Conventional Commits](https://www.conventionalcommits.org/):
+
+```
+type: short description
+type(scope): short description
+```
+
+Valid types: `feat` `fix` `docs` `chore` `test` `refactor` `perf` `ci` `build`
+
+The hook will tell you exactly what went wrong if your message is rejected.
+
+---
+
+## Pull Request Process
+
+1. Fork and branch from `main`
+2. Write tests first (we use `pytest`)
+3. Run `pytest tests/ -v` — all tests must pass
+4. Open a PR on GitHub or Codeberg
+5. PRs are reviewed and cherry-picked to Forgejo (the canonical repo) — you don't need a Forgejo account
+
+---
+
+## Reporting Issues
+
+Use the issue templates:
+
+- **Bug** — steps to reproduce, version, OS, Docker or conda, logs
+- **Feature** — problem statement, proposed solution, which tier it belongs to
+
+**Security issues:** Do **not** open a public issue. Email `security@circuitforge.tech`.
+See [SECURITY.md](./SECURITY.md).