diff --git a/.github/workflows/assign-command.yml b/.github/workflows/assign-command.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..205e7a53
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/assign-command.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+name: Assign command
+
+on:
+  issue_comment:
+    types: [created]
+
+permissions:
+  issues: write
+
+jobs:
+  assign:
+    if: ${{ !github.event.issue.pull_request && (github.event.comment.body == '/assign' || github.event.comment.body == '/unassign') }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Handle /assign
+        if: github.event.comment.body == '/assign'
+        uses: actions/github-script@v7
+        with:
+          script: |
+            const { owner, repo } = context.repo;
+            const issue_number = context.issue.number;
+            const commenter = context.payload.comment.user.login;
+
+            const { data: issue } = await github.rest.issues.get({ owner, repo, issue_number });
+
+            if (issue.assignees.length > 0) {
+              const names = issue.assignees.map(a => `@${a.login}`).join(', ');
+              await github.rest.issues.createComment({
+                owner, repo, issue_number,
+                body: `⚠️ This issue is already assigned to ${names}. Ask them to comment \`/unassign\` first if they're no longer working on it.`,
+              });
+              return;
+            }
+
+            await github.rest.issues.addAssignees({ owner, repo, issue_number, assignees: [commenter] });
+            await github.rest.issues.createComment({
+              owner, repo, issue_number,
+              body: `✅ Assigned to @${commenter}. Comment \`/unassign\` if you can no longer work on this. Open a PR that includes \`Closes #${issue_number}\` in its description when you're ready for review.`,
+            });
+
+      - name: Handle /unassign
+        if: github.event.comment.body == '/unassign'
+        uses: actions/github-script@v7
+        with:
+          script: |
+            const { owner, repo } = context.repo;
+            const issue_number = context.issue.number;
+            const commenter = context.payload.comment.user.login;
+
+            const { data: issue } = await github.rest.issues.get({ owner, repo, issue_number });
+            const isAssigned = issue.assignees.some(a => a.login === commenter);
+
+            if (!isAssigned) {
+              await github.rest.issues.createComment({
+                owner, repo, issue_number,
+                body: `⚠️ @${commenter}, you're not currently assigned to this issue.`,
+              });
+              return;
+            }
+
+            await github.rest.issues.removeAssignees({ owner, repo, issue_number, assignees: [commenter] });
+            await github.rest.issues.createComment({
+              owner, repo, issue_number,
+              body: `Unassigned @${commenter}. This issue is open again — comment \`/assign\` to pick it up.`,
+            });
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..20f6137f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+# Contributing to Modly
+
+Thanks for wanting to help out! You don't need write access to the repository to
+pick up a ticket, work on it, and ship a fix — here's how the flow works.
+
+## Finding something to work on
+
+- Browse [open issues](https://github.com/lightningpixel/modly/issues) or the
+  [project board](https://github.com/users/lightningpixel/projects/1).
+- Issues labeled `good first issue` are a good place to start if you're new to
+  the codebase. See [`CLAUDE.md`](./CLAUDE.md) for an architecture overview.
+
+## Claiming a ticket
+
+Comment **`/assign`** on the issue you want to work on. A bot will assign it to
+you automatically — no repo permissions required.
+
+- Only one person can be assigned to an issue at a time. If it's already
+  assigned, ask the assignee first or wait for them to release it.
+- No longer working on it? Comment **`/unassign`** to free it up for someone
+  else.
+
+This keeps the [project board](https://github.com/users/lightningpixel/projects/1)
+honest: an assigned issue moves to **In progress** automatically, so anyone
+looking at the board can see what's actively being worked on.
+
+## Submitting your work
+
+1. **Fork** the repository and create a branch for your change.
+2. Make your change. Keep it focused — one issue, one PR.
+3. Run the checks locally before opening a PR:
+   ```bash
+   npm run lint
+   npm run test
+   ```
+4. Open a **pull request** against `dev`. Include `Closes #<issue-number>` in
+   the PR description so it's linked to the ticket and closes it automatically
+   on merge.
+
+Opening a PR from your fork moves the linked issue to **Ready to review** on
+the board. Once a maintainer approves the review, it moves to **Ready to
+test**; once merged, it moves to **Done**.
+
+## Getting help
+
+If something in an issue is unclear, ask in a comment on the issue itself
+before starting — it's cheaper to clarify scope up front than to redo work
+later.