diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5a431da2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,261 @@
+# Contributing to MathJax
+
+So you're interested in giving us a hand? That's awesome! We've put
+together some brief guidelines that should help you get started
+quickly and easily.
+
+There are lots and lots of ways to get involved, this document covers:
+
+* [raising issues](#raising-issues)
+    * [bug reports](#bug-reports)
+    * [feature requests](#feature-requests)
+    * [change requests](#change-requests)
+* [working on MathJax core](#working-on-MathJax-core)
+    * [submitting pull requests](#submitting-pull-requests)
+* [testing and quality assurance](#testing-and-quality-assurance)
+* [writing documentation](#writing-documentation)
+* [translation](#translation)
+* [Conduct](#conduct)
+
+
+## Reporting An Issue
+
+If you're about to raise an issue because you think you've found a
+problem with MathJax, or you'd like to make a request for a new
+feature in the codebase, or any other reason… please read this first.
+
+The GitHub issue tracker is the preferred channel for [bug reports](#bug-reports),
+[feature requests](#feature-requests), [change requests](#change-requests) and [submitting pull
+requests](#submitting-pull-requests), but please respect the following restrictions:
+
+* Please **search for existing issues**. Help us keep duplicate issues
+  to a minimum by checking to see if someone has already reported your
+  problem or requested your idea.
+
+* Please **do not** use the issue tracker for personal support
+  requests (use [the MathJax User Group](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/mathjax-users).
+
+* Please **be civil**. Keep the discussion on topic and respect the
+  opinions of others. See also our [Conduct Guidelines](#conduct)
+
+### Bug Reports
+
+A bug is a _demonstrable problem_ that is caused by the code in the repository.
+Good bug reports are extremely helpful - thank you!
+
+Guidelines for bug reports:
+
+1. **Use the GitHub issue search** — check if the issue has already been
+   reported.
+
+2. **Check if the issue has been fixed** — try to reproduce it
+   using the latest `develop` or look for [closed issues in the
+   current milestone](https://github.com/MathJax/MathJax/issues?&page=1&state=closed).
+
+3. **Isolate the problem** — ideally create a [reduced test
+   case](http://css-tricks.com/6263-reduced-test-cases/) and a live example.
+
+4. **Include a screencast if relevant** - Is your issue about a design
+   or front end feature or bug? The most helpful thing in the world is
+   if we can *see* what you're talking about. Use
+   [LICEcap](http://www.cockos.com/licecap/) to quickly and easily
+   record a short screencast (24fps) and save it as an animated gif!
+   Embed it directly into your GitHub issue. Kapow.
+
+5. Use the Bug Report template below or [click this
+   link](https://github.com/MathJax/MathJax/issues/new?title=Bug%3A&body=%23%23%23%20Issue%20Summary%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Steps%20to%20Reproduce%0A%0A1.%20This%20is%20the%20first%20step%0A%0AThis%20is%20a%20bug%20because...%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Technical%20details%0A%0A*%20MathJax%20Version%3A%20master%20-%20latest%20commit%3A%20%20INSERT%20COMMIT%20REF%0A*%20Client%20OS%3A%20%0A*%20Browser%3A%20%0A*%20)
+   to start creating a bug report with the template automatically.
+
+A good bug report shouldn't leave others needing to chase you up for
+more information. Be sure to include the details of your environment.
+
+Here is a [real example](https://github.com/mathjax/MathJax/issues/820)
+
+Template Example ([click to use](https://github.com/MathJax/MathJax/issues/new?title=Bug%3A&body=%23%23%23%20Issue%20Summary%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Steps%20to%20Reproduce%0A%0A1.%20This%20is%20the%20first%20step%0A%0AThis%20is%20a%20bug%20because...%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Technical%20details%0A%0A*%20MathJax%20Version%3A%20master%20-%20latest%20commit%3A%20%20INSERT%20COMMIT%20REF%0A*%20Client%20OS%3A%20%0A*%20Browser%3A%20%0A*%20)):
+```
+Short and descriptive example bug report title
+
+### Issue Summary
+
+A summary of the issue and the browser/OS environment in which it occurs. If
+suitable, include the steps required to reproduce the bug.
+
+### Steps to Reproduce
+
+1. This is the first step
+2. This is the second step
+3. Further steps, etc.
+
+Any other information you want to share that is relevant to the issue
+being reported. Especially, why do you consider this to be a bug? What
+do you expect to happen instead?
+
+### Technical details:
+
+* MathJax Version: 2.3 (latest commit: f3aaf3a2a3e964df2770dc4aaaa9c87ce5f47e2c)
+* Client OS: Mac OS X 10.8.4
+* Browser: Chrome 29.0.1547.57
+```
+
+
+### Feature Requests
+
+Feature requests are welcome. Before you submit one be sure to have:
+
+1. Read the
+   [Roadmaps](https://github.com/mathjax/MathJax/wiki/Mathjax-roadmap),
+   **use the GitHub search** and check the feature hasn't already been
+   requested.
+2. Take a moment to think about whether your idea fits with the scope
+   and aims of the project, or if it might better fit being a [custom
+   extension](https://github.com/mathjax/MathJax-third-party-extensions).
+3. Remember, it's up to *you* to make a strong case to convince the
+   project's leaders of the merits of this feature. Please provide as
+   much detail and context as possible, this means explaining the use
+   case and why it is likely to be common.
+4. Clearly indicate whether this is a feature request for MathJax
+   core, input & output jax, or extensions.
+
+
+### Change Requests
+
+Change requests cover both architectural and functional changes to how
+MathJax works. If you have an idea for a new or different dependency,
+a refactor, or an improvement to a feature, etc - please be sure to:
+
+1. **Use the GitHub search** and check someone else didn't get there first
+2. Take a moment to think about the best way to make a case for, and
+   explain what you're thinking. Are you sure this shouldn't really be
+   a [bug report](#bug-reports) or a [feature
+   request](#feature-requests)?  Is it really one idea or is it many?
+   What's the context? What problem are you solving? Why is what you
+   are suggesting better than what's already there? Does it fit with
+   the Roadmap?
+
+
+### Submitting Pull Requests
+
+Pull requests are awesome. If you're looking to raise a PR for
+something which doesn't have an open issue, please think carefully
+about [raising an issue](#raising-issues) which your PR can close,
+especially if you're fixing a bug. This makes it more likely that
+there will be enough information available for your PR to be properly
+tested and merged.
+
+##### Need Help?
+
+If you're not completely clear on how to submit / update / *do* Pull
+Requests, please check out our [source control
+policies](https://github.com/mathjax/MathJax/wiki/Source-control-policies). For
+more insights, chech the excellent in depth [Git Workflow
+guide](https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/wiki/Git-Workflow) from
+Ghost, in particular
+
+* [Ghost Workflow guide: commit messages](https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/wiki/Git-workflow#commit-messages)
+
+### Testing and Quality Assurance
+
+Never underestimate just how useful quality assurance is. If you're
+looking to get involved with the code base and don't know where to
+start, checking out and testing a pull request is one of the most
+useful things you could do.
+
+If you want to get involved with testing MathJax, there is a set of QA
+Documentation [in our testing
+framework](https://github.com/MathJax/MathJax-testing).
+
+Essentially though, [check out the latest develop
+branch](#contribute-to-core), take it for a spin, and if you find
+anything odd, please follow the [bug report guidelines](#bug-reports)
+and let us know!
+
+#### Checking out a Pull Request
+
+These are some [excellent
+instructions](https://gist.github.com/piscisaureus/3342247) on
+configuring your GitHub repository to allow you to checkout pull
+requests in the same way as branches:
+<https://gist.github.com/piscisaureus/3342247>.
+
+
+### Documentation
+
+MathJax's main documentation can be found at [docs.mathjax.org](http://docs.mathjax.org).
+
+The documentation is generated using
+[Sphinx-doc](http://sphinx-doc.org/) and hosted on [Read the
+docs](http://readthedocs.org). The source of the docs is hosted in the
+[MathJax-Docs GitHub
+repository](http://github.com/mathjax/mathjax-docs).
+
+You can clone the repo and submit pull requests following the
+[pull-request](#pull-requests) guidelines.
+
+
+### Translation
+
+If you wish to add or update translations of MathJax, please do it on
+[TranslateWiki.net](https://translatewiki.net/w/i.php?title=Special:Translate&group=out-mathjax-0-all)
+(and while you're there you can help other open source projects,
+too!).
+
+For bug reports and other questions that don't fit on
+TranslateWiki.net, head over to the
+[mathjax/mathjax-i18n](https://github.com/mathjax/MathJax-i18n)
+repository.
+
+
+## Working on MathJax Core {core}
+
+### Key Branches & Tags
+
+- **[develop](https://github.com/MathJax/MathJax/tree/develop)** is
+  the development branch. All work on the next release is here. Do
+  **NOT** use this branch for a production site.
+- **[master](https://github.com/MathJax/MathJax)** contains the latest
+  release of MathJax. This branch may be used in production.
+
+
+# Conduct
+
+We are committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for
+all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, religion,
+or similar personal characteristic.
+
+Please be kind and courteous. There's no need to be mean or rude.
+Respect that people have differences of opinion and that every design or
+implementation choice carries a trade-off and numerous costs. There is seldom
+a right answer, merely an optimal answer given a set of values and
+circumstances.
+
+Please keep unstructured critique to a minimum. If you have solid ideas you
+want to experiment with, make a fork and see how it works.
+
+We will exclude you from interaction if you insult, demean or harass anyone.
+That is not welcome behaviour. We interpret the term "harassment" as
+including the definition in the
+[Citizen Code of Conduct](http://citizencodeofconduct.org/);
+if you have any lack of clarity about what might be included in that concept,
+please read their definition. In particular, we don't tolerate behavior that
+excludes people in socially marginalized groups.
+
+Private harassment is also unacceptable. No matter who you are, if you feel
+you have been or are being harassed or made uncomfortable by a community
+member, please contact one of the channel ops or any of the
+[MathJax](https://github.com/MathJax/MathJax) core team
+immediately. Whether you're a regular contributor or a newcomer, we care about
+making this community a safe place for you and we've got your back.
+
+Likewise any spamming, trolling, flaming, baiting or other attention-stealing
+behaviour is not welcome.
+
+We also suggest to read [discourse's
+rules](http://blog.discourse.org/2013/03/the-universal-rules-of-civilized-discourse/)
+
+### References
+
+* We heavily borrowed from -- thanks to Mozilla and Ghost!
+  * https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md
+  * https://github.com/mozilla/rust/wiki/Note-development-policy
+* https://github.com/jden/CONTRIBUTING.md/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md
+* http://blog.discourse.org/2013/03/the-universal-rules-of-civilized-discourse/