diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 6bee117..40863fd 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -1,5 +1,16 @@
 # CONTRIBUTING
 
+## Getting Involved
+
+We welcome contributions and are happy to discuss ideas, answer questions, and help you get started.
+
+**Before opening a pull request**, please open an issue or start a discussion with the maintainers. This helps us:
+- Ensure the change aligns with the project's direction
+- Avoid duplicate or conflicting work
+- Provide guidance on implementation approach
+
+We're friendly and responsive—don't hesitate to reach out!
+
 ## Formatting
 
 This repo uses [ktlint](https://github.com/JLLeitschuh/ktlint-gradle) for formatting.