diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9021e69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+---
+name: Bug Report
+about: Report a bug
+labels: bug
+---
+
+**Description**
+A clear description of the bug.
+
+**Steps to Reproduce**
+1. Run `...`
+2. ...
+
+**Expected Behavior**
+What you expected to happen.
+
+**Actual Behavior**
+What actually happened. Include any error output.
+
+**Environment**
+- OS:
+- Go version:
+- rsync version:
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ec3c93b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+---
+name: Feature Request
+about: Suggest a new feature or improvement
+labels: enhancement
+---
+
+**Description**
+A clear description of the feature or improvement.
+
+**Use Case**
+Why is this needed? What problem does it solve?
+
+**Proposed Solution**
+How you think it could work (optional).
diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1cd77f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+**Description**
+What does this PR do?
+
+**Related Issue**
+Fixes #
diff --git a/.github/workflows/go.yml b/.github/workflows/go.yml
index 6b7f570..46fe8bc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/go.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/go.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ jobs:
   build:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v5
 
     - name: Setup NodeJS
       uses: actions/setup-node@v6
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ jobs:
         node-version: 24.x
 
     - name: Set up Go
-      uses: actions/setup-go@v4
+      uses: actions/setup-go@v5
       with:
         go-version: '1.25'
 
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5c4ba03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+# Contributing
+
+Thanks for your interest in contributing to backup-rsync!
+
+## Getting Started
+
+1. Fork the repo and clone it
+2. Install Go 1.25+ and `rsync`
+3. Run `make build` to verify the setup
+
+## Development Workflow
+
+```sh
+make format            # Format code
+make lint              # Run linter
+make test              # Run unit tests
+make test-integration  # Run integration tests (requires rsync)
+make check-coverage    # Verify coverage threshold (98%)
+```
+
+## Submitting Changes
+
+1. Create a branch from `main`
+2. Make your changes — keep commits focused
+3. Ensure `make lint` and `make test` pass
+4. Open a pull request against `main`
+
+## Guidelines
+
+- Follow idiomatic Go conventions
+- Add tests for new functionality
+- Use dependency injection over global state
+- Keep the CI green — all checks must pass before merge
+
+## License
+
+By contributing, you agree that your contributions will be licensed under the [GPL-3.0 License](LICENSE).