diff --git a/develop-docs/sdk/processes/basics.mdx b/develop-docs/sdk/processes/basics.mdx
index 11a94af4aeea5..4e20a771538c7 100644
--- a/develop-docs/sdk/processes/basics.mdx
+++ b/develop-docs/sdk/processes/basics.mdx
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@ description: So you want to develop an SDK?  Before you get started here are som
 sidebar_order: 1
 ---
 
+<Alert>
+  This document uses key words such as "MUST", "SHOULD", and "MAY" as defined in [RFC 2119](https://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2119.txt) to indicate requirement levels.
+</Alert>
+
 ## Run a Local Relay
 
 You do not need a local Sentry for SDK development but you will want to run a local
@@ -39,9 +43,18 @@ a good idea to refer to already existing Sentry SDKs for input.  In particular t
 transport design is not part of the documentation but generally quite similar between
 SDKs.
 
-## Type out context in Relay
+## Define Conventions and Types Before Shipping
+
+Before shipping new or changed SDK behavior, make sure the relevant definitions exist outside your SDK first:
+
+- **Semantic conventions:** New or changed attributes **MUST** first be defined in [sentry-conventions](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-conventions/). If the convention you need doesn't exist yet, open a PR there to propose it. Only after the convention has been merged should you implement it in an SDK. This ensures all SDKs use consistent naming and semantics.
+
+  The merge process for sentry-conventions PRs:
+  1. Open a PR with the proposed convention.
+  2. Get an approval from at least one code owner.
+  3. Wait at least 3 business days after the first approval to give other code owners a chance to review.
 
-To have a better understanding of various [context](https://develop.sentry.dev/sdk/data-model/event-payloads/contexts/) our SDKs emit, any newly added context should also be typed out in [Relay](https://github.com/getsentry/relay/tree/master/relay-event-schema/src/protocol/contexts).
+- **Context types:** Any newly added [context](https://develop.sentry.dev/sdk/data-model/event-payloads/contexts/) **SHOULD** also be typed out in [Relay](https://github.com/getsentry/relay/tree/master/relay-event-schema/src/protocol/contexts) so that the schema stays in sync with what SDKs emit.
 
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