diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..347cab4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+# Contributing
+
+## Commit message format
+
+All commit messages should follow the [Conventional Commits][commits] format.
+This format allows us to automatically generate changelogs and version numbers
+based on the commit messages.
+
+Common commit types include:
+
+* `fix`: A bug fix
+* `feat`: A new feature
+* `ci`: Changes to CI/CD
+* `docs`: Changes to documentation
+
+adding `!` after the type indicates a breaking change. For example, `feat!`
+would indicate a new feature that breaks existing functionality, and would
+therefore require a major version bump.
+
+`bump` is a special type used to indicate a version bump. This is used by the
+automated release process, and should be avoided in normal commits.
+
+## Coding standards
+
+Code should follow the [OpenTofu style conventions][style]. This ensures that
+all code is consistent and easy to read and maintain.
+
+To make resources easier to find, you may group them together in a single file
+within your module. For example, while `main.tf` handles the main configuration,
+you may create a `dns.tf` file to handle all DNS-related resources.
+
+Additionally, the following should be grouped together within their own files:
+
+* `data.tf` for data sources
+* `local.tf` for local values
+* `output.tf` for outputs
+
+## Code reviews
+
+All code should be contributing in the form of a pull request. Pull requests
+should have an approval from _at least_ one required reviewer as defined in the
+`CODEOWNERS` file. Additional reviews are welcome, and may be requested by
+either the submitter or the required reviewer.
+
+[commits]: https://www.conventionalcommits.org/en/v1.0.0/
+[style]: https://opentofu.org/docs/language/syntax/style/
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c80bbbd..9f0d5fc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # AWS Backend Module
 
-[![Main Checks](https://github.com/codeforamerica/tofu-modules-aws-backend/actions/workflows/main.yaml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/codeforamerica/tofu-modules-aws-backend/actions/workflows/main.yaml) ![GitHub Release](https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/codeforamerica/tofu-modules-aws-backend?logo=github&label=Latest%20Release)
+[![Main Checks][badge-checks]][code-checks] [![GitHub Release][badge-release]][latest-release]
 
 This module creates an AWS backend for OpenTofu.
 
@@ -69,10 +69,14 @@ You now have a fully configured AWS backend for your project!
 | key_recovery_period | The number of days to retain the KMS key for recovery after deletion. | `number` | `30`    |    no    |
 | tags                | Optional tags to be applied to all resources.                         | `list`   | `[]`    |    no    |
 
-
 ## Outputs
 
 | Name    | Description                              | Type     |
 |---------|------------------------------------------|----------|
 | bucket  | Name of the S3 bucket for state storage. | `string` |
 | kms_key | KMS key used to encrypt state.           | `string` |
+
+[badge-checks]: https://github.com/codeforamerica/tofu-modules-aws-backend/actions/workflows/main.yaml/badge.svg
+[badge-release]: https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/codeforamerica/tofu-modules-aws-backend?logo=github&label=Latest%20Release
+[code-checks]: https://github.com/codeforamerica/tofu-modules-aws-backend/actions/workflows/main.yaml
+[latest-release]: https://github.com/codeforamerica/tofu-modules-aws-backend/releases/latest