CONTRIBUTING: Add new contributing doc

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+<!-- SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0 -->
+# Contributing to `mctp` tools
+
+We have a few short guidelines for contributing to the `mctp` project, based
+mainly on Linux kernel and OpenBMC conventions, as we have a reasonable
+overlap with both.
+
+In short:
+ - Discuss major changes first
+ - One change per commit, in general
+ - Send contributions as PRs to our github repo
+ - Add a Signed-off-by to indicate certification of the DCO
+ - Include unit tests
+
+Large or intrusive changes should be discussed first (ideally, before you have
+code finalised) by opening a github issue. This generally saves time in
+resolving design issues before implementation.
+
+Issues or queries about the Linux kernel MCTP implementation (ie., related to
+the MCTP stack itself, rather than the userspace tooling) should be filed
+against the [CodeConstruct/linux](https://github.com/CodeConstruct/linux) repo.
+
+Contributions should be submitted as pull-requests to our github repository at
+<https://github.com/CodeConstruct/mctp>.
+
+Contributions must be licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2,
+or as otherwise indicated from the original source files. Newly added files
+should include a SPDX-License-Identifier header, indicating `GPL-2.0`
+
+## Structuring your changes
+
+Commits should be as atomic as is sensible, by introducing one unit of change at
+a time. Any updates as a result of PR review should be incorporated into the
+original commits.
+
+Commit messages should describe the rationale for the change, and an overview of
+the change itself. There is no need to describe the actual code implementation,
+we can review that in the diff itself. If there are points that may be useful
+for the review process, but do not belong in permanent git history, include
+those in the PR description.
+
+We do not require a `Tested` section in commit messages.
+
+Each commit message must include a `Signed-off-by` line, which indicates that
+you (the contributor) have certified the [Developer Certificate of Origin
+v1.1](https://developercertificate.org/) (DCO). This line must include the full
+name you commonly use, often a given name and a family name or surname, and
+should match the author metadata on the commit (ok: Sam Samuelsson, Robert A.
+Heinlein; not ok: xXthorXx, Sam, RAH)
+
+## Coding style
+
+For C code, our coding style is generally that of the Linux kernel, and we
+have a `.clang-format` definition to automate formatting.
+
+For Python code (ie, the test framework), we use standard `ruff` formatting
+settings.
+
+## Tests
+
+We have an extensive unit-test framework for `mctpd`, which provides mock kernel
+interfaces and MCTP endpoints. We strongly encourage including tests with your
+changes, typically as a separate patch in a contribution series.
+
+## Coding assistants
+
+We have a policy very similar to the kernel in regards to AI use in
+contributions.
+
+### Licensing and Legal Requirements
+
+All contributions must comply with the project's licensing requirements,
+using the overall GPLv2 license.
+
+### Signed-off-by and Developer Certificate of Origin
+
+AI agents MUST NOT add Signed-off-by tags. Only humans can legally
+certify the Developer Certificate of Origin. The human submitter
+is responsible for:
+
+ * Reviewing all AI-generated code
+ * Ensuring compliance with licensing requirements
+ * Adding their own Signed-off-by tag to certify the DCO
+ * Taking full responsibility for the contribution
+
+### Attribution
+
+When AI tools contribute to mctp development, proper attribution
+helps track the evolving role of AI in the development process.
+Contributions should include an Assisted-by tag in the following format:
+
+    Assisted-by: AGENT_NAME:MODEL_VERSION [TOOL1] [TOOL2]
+
+Where:
+
+ * `AGENT_NAME` is the name of the AI tool or framework
+ * `MODEL_VERSION` is the specific model version used
+ * `[TOOL1] [TOOL2]` are optional specialized analysis tools used
+    (e.g., coccinelle, sparse, smatch, clang-tidy)
+
+Basic development tools (git, gcc, make, editors) should not be listed.
+
+Example::
+
+    Assisted-by: Claude:claude-3-opus coccinelle sparse

README.md

@@ -110,6 +110,12 @@ where `mctpd` exposes three dbus interfaces for each:
  - `au.com.codeconstruct.MCTP1.Endpoint1`: Additional control methods for the
    endpoint - for example, `Remove`
 
+Contributing
+------------
+
+We have some guidance for contributing in the [`CONTRIBUTING`](CONTRIBUTING.md)
+document.
+
 Testing
 -------