diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 59927faa31b..3f18890bdd1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -24,24 +24,31 @@ For instructions on how to build, install and setup lotus, please visit [https:/
 
 Please send an email to security@filecoin.org. See our [security policy](SECURITY.md) for more details.
 
-## Development
+## Related packages
 
-The main branches under development at the moment are:
-* [`master`](https://github.com/filecoin-project/lotus): current testnet.
-* [`next`](https://github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/tree/next): working branch with chain-breaking changes.
-* [`ntwk-calibration`](https://github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/tree/ntwk-calibration): devnet running one of `next` commits.
+These repos are independent and reusable modules, but are tightly integrated into Lotus to make up a fully featured Filecoin implementation:
 
-### Tracker
+- [go-fil-markets](https://github.com/filecoin-project/go-fil-markets) which has its own [kanban work tracker available here](https://app.zenhub.com/workspaces/markets-shared-components-5daa144a7046a60001c6e253/board)
+- [specs-actors](https://github.com/filecoin-project/specs-actors) which has its own [kanban work tracker available here](https://app.zenhub.com/workspaces/actors-5ee6f3aa87591f0016c05685/board)
 
-All work is tracked via issues. An attempt at keeping an up-to-date view on remaining work towards Mainnet launch can be seen at the [lotus github project board](https://github.com/orgs/filecoin-project/projects/8). The issues labeled with `incentives` are there to identify the issues needed for Space Race launch.
+## Contribute
 
-### Packages
+Lotus is a universally open project and welcomes contributions of all kinds: code, docs, and more. However, before making a contribution, we ask you to heed these recommendations:
 
-The lotus Filecoin implementation unfolds into the following packages:
+1. If the proposal entails a protocol change, please first submit a [Filecoin Improvement Proposal](https://github.com/filecoin-project/FIPs).
+2. If the change is complex and requires prior discussion, [open an issue](github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/issues) or a [discussion](https://github.com/filecoin-project/lotus/discussions) to request feedback before you start working on a pull request. This is to avoid disappointment and sunk costs, in case the change is not actually needed or accepted.
+3. Please refrain from submitting PRs to adapt existing code to subjective preferences.
 
-- [This repo](https://github.com/filecoin-project/lotus)
-- [go-fil-markets](https://github.com/filecoin-project/go-fil-markets) which has its own [kanban work tracker available here](https://app.zenhub.com/workspaces/markets-shared-components-5daa144a7046a60001c6e253/board)
-- [spec-actors](https://github.com/filecoin-project/specs-actors) which has its own [kanban work tracker available here](https://app.zenhub.com/workspaces/actors-5ee6f3aa87591f0016c05685/board)
+When implementing a change:
+
+1. Adhere to the standard Go formatting guidelines, e.g. [Effective Go](https://golang.org/doc/effective_go.html). Run `go fmt`.
+2. Stick to the idioms and patterns used in the codebase. Familiar-looking code has a higher chance of being accepted than eerie code. Pay attention to commonly used variable and parameter names, avoidance of naked returns, error handling patterns, etc.
+3. Comments: follow the advice on the [Commentary](https://golang.org/doc/effective_go.html#commentary) section of Effective Go.
+4. Minimize code churn. Modify only what is strictly necessary. Well-encapsulated changesets will get a quicker response from maintainers.
+5. Lint your code with [`golangci-lint`](https://golangci-lint.run) (CI will reject your PR if unlinted).
+6. Add tests.
+7. Title the PR in a meaningful way and describe the rationale and the thought process in the PR description.
+8. Write clean, thoughtful, and detailed [commit messages](https://chris.beams.io/posts/git-commit/). This is even more important than the PR description, because commit messages are stored _inside_ the Git history. One good rule is: if you are happy posting the commit message as the PR description, then it's a good commit message.
 
 ## License