diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..75edc4d5b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+ - [ ] I was not able to find an [open](https://github.com/git-for-windows/git/issues?q=is%3Aopen) or [closed](https://github.com/git-for-windows/git/issues?q=is%3Aclosed) issue matching what I'm seeing
+
+### Setup
+
+ - Which version of Git for Windows are you using? Is it 32-bit or 64-bit?
+
+```
+$ git --version --build-options
+
+** insert your machine's response here **
+```
+
+ - Which version of Windows are you running? Vista, 7, 8, 10? Is it 32-bit or 64-bit?
+
+```
+$ cmd.exe /c ver
+
+** insert your machine's response here **
+```
+
+ - What options did you set as part of the installation? Or did you choose the
+ defaults?
+
+```
+# One of the following:
+> type "C:\Program Files\Git\etc\install-options.txt"
+> type "C:\Program Files (x86)\Git\etc\install-options.txt"
+> type "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Programs\Git\etc\install-options.txt"
+$ cat /etc/install-options.txt
+
+** insert your machine's response here **
+```
+
+ - Any other interesting things about your environment that might be related
+ to the issue you're seeing?
+
+** insert your response here **
+
+### Details
+
+ - Which terminal/shell are you running Git from? e.g Bash/CMD/PowerShell/other
+
+** insert your response here **
+
+ - What commands did you run to trigger this issue? If you can provide a
+ [Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable example](http://stackoverflow.com/help/mcve)
+ this will help us understand the issue.
+
+```
+** insert your commands here **
+```
+ - What did you expect to occur after running these commands?
+
+** insert here **
+
+ - What actually happened instead?
+
+** insert here **
+
+ - If the problem was occurring with a specific repository, can you provide the
+ URL to that repository to help us with testing?
+
+** insert URL here **
diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index adba13e5ba..07b255f286 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,7 +1,18 @@
-Thanks for taking the time to contribute to Git! Please be advised that the
-Git community does not use github.com for their contributions. Instead, we use
-a mailing list (git@vger.kernel.org) for code submissions, code reviews, and
-bug reports. Nevertheless, you can use submitGit to conveniently send your Pull
+Thanks for taking the time to contribute to Git!
+
+Those seeking to contribute to the Git for Windows fork should see
+http://gitforwindows.org/#contribute on how to contribute Windows specific enhancements.
+
+If your contribution is for the core Git functions and documentation
+please be aware that the Git community does not use the github.com issues
+or pull request mechanism for their contributions.
+
+Instead, we use the Git mailing list (git@vger.kernel.org) for code and
+documenatation submissions, code reviews, and bug reports. The
+mailing list is plain text only (anything with HTML is sent directly
+to the spam folder).
+
+Nevertheless, you can use submitGit to conveniently send your Pull
Requests commits to our mailing list.
Please read the "guidelines for contributing" linked above!
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..590c642cfb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+# Git for Windows Code of Conduct
+
+This code of conduct outlines our expectations for participants within the **Git for Windows** community, as well as steps to reporting unacceptable behavior. We are committed to providing a welcoming and inspiring community for all and expect our code of conduct to be honored. Anyone who violates this code of conduct may be banned from the community.
+
+## Our Pledge
+
+In the interest of fostering an open and welcoming environment, we as
+contributors and maintainers pledge to making participation in our project and
+our community a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, body
+size, disability, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, level of experience,
+nationality, personal appearance, race, religion, or sexual identity and
+orientation.
+
+## Our Standards
+
+Examples of behavior that contributes to creating a positive environment
+include:
+
+* Using welcoming and inclusive language
+* Being respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences
+* Gracefully accepting constructive criticism
+* Focusing on what is best for the community
+* Showing empathy towards other community members
+
+Examples of unacceptable behavior by participants include:
+
+* The use of sexualized language or imagery and unwelcome sexual attention or
+advances
+* Trolling, insulting/derogatory comments, and personal or political attacks
+* Public or private harassment
+* Publishing others' private information, such as a physical or electronic
+ address, without explicit permission
+* Other conduct which could reasonably be considered inappropriate in a
+ professional setting
+
+## Our Responsibilities
+
+Project maintainers are responsible for clarifying the standards of acceptable
+behavior and are expected to take appropriate and fair corrective action in
+response to any instances of unacceptable behavior.
+
+Project maintainers have the right and responsibility to remove, edit, or
+reject comments, commits, code, wiki edits, issues, and other contributions
+that are not aligned to this Code of Conduct, or to ban temporarily or
+permanently any contributor for other behaviors that they deem inappropriate,
+threatening, offensive, or harmful.
+
+## Scope
+
+This Code of Conduct applies both within project spaces and in public spaces
+when an individual is representing the project or its community. Examples of
+representing a project or community include using an official project e-mail
+address, posting via an official social media account, or acting as an appointed
+representative at an online or offline event. Representation of a project may be
+further defined and clarified by project maintainers.
+
+## Enforcement
+
+Instances of abusive, harassing, or otherwise unacceptable behavior may be
+reported by contacting the project team at **johannes.schindelin@gmx.de**. All
+complaints will be reviewed and investigated and will result in a response that
+is deemed necessary and appropriate to the circumstances. The project team is
+obligated to maintain confidentiality with regard to the reporter of an incident.
+Further details of specific enforcement policies may be posted separately.
+
+Project maintainers who do not follow or enforce the Code of Conduct in good
+faith may face temporary or permanent repercussions as determined by other
+members of the project's leadership.
+
+## Attribution
+
+This Code of Conduct is adapted from the [Contributor Covenant][homepage], version 1.4,
+available at [http://contributor-covenant.org/version/1/4][version]
+
+[homepage]: http://contributor-covenant.org
+[version]: http://contributor-covenant.org/version/1/4/
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f920a42fad..b9d2e92fac 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,3 +1,21 @@
+Git for Windows
+===============
+
+[](https://git-for-windows.visualstudio.com/git/_build/latest?definitionId=12&branch=master)
+[](https://aka.ms/git-for-windows-builds)
+[](https://gitter.im/git-for-windows/git?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=badge&utm_campaign=pr-badge&utm_content=badge)
+
+This is [Git for Windows](http://git-for-windows.github.io/), the Windows port
+of [Git](http://git-scm.com/).
+
+The Git for Windows project is run using a [governance
+model](http://git-for-windows.github.io/governance-model.html). If you
+encounter problems, you can report them as [GitHub
+issues](https://github.com/git-for-windows/git/issues), discuss them on Git
+for Windows' [Google Group](http://groups.google.com/group/git-for-windows),
+and [contribute bug
+fixes](https://github.com/git-for-windows/git/wiki/How-to-participate).
+
Git - fast, scalable, distributed revision control system
=========================================================
@@ -27,7 +45,7 @@ CVS users may also want to read [Documentation/gitcvs-migration.txt][]
(`man gitcvs-migration` or `git help cvs-migration` if git is
installed).
-The user discussion and development of Git take place on the Git
+The user discussion and development of core Git take place on the Git
mailing list -- everyone is welcome to post bug reports, feature
requests, comments and patches to git@vger.kernel.org (read
[Documentation/SubmittingPatches][] for instructions on patch submission).
@@ -35,6 +53,7 @@ To subscribe to the list, send an email with just "subscribe git" in
the body to majordomo@vger.kernel.org. The mailing list archives are
available at ,
and other archival sites.
+The core git mailing list is plain text (no HTML!).
Issues which are security relevant should be disclosed privately to
the Git Security mailing list .