diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b5dfa1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
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+name: Bug report
+description: Report a reproducible problem in smath
+title: "bug: "
+labels:
+  - bug
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Thanks for filing a bug report.
+        Please provide enough detail for us to reproduce and diagnose the issue.
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: summary
+    attributes:
+      label: Summary
+      description: What happened?
+      placeholder: Briefly describe the bug.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: expected
+    attributes:
+      label: Expected behavior
+      placeholder: Describe what you expected to happen.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: repro
+    attributes:
+      label: Minimal reproduction
+      description: Include a minimal code snippet or steps to reproduce.
+      render: cpp
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: input
+    id: compiler
+    attributes:
+      label: Compiler and version
+      placeholder: e.g. clang 18.1.8, GCC 14.2, MSVC 19.40
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: input
+    id: platform
+    attributes:
+      label: Platform
+      placeholder: e.g. macOS 15 arm64, Ubuntu 24.04 x86_64, Windows 11
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: additional
+    attributes:
+      label: Additional context
+      description: Add logs, screenshots, or links if relevant.
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0086358
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+blank_issues_enabled: true
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.yml
new file mode 100644
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.yml
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+name: Feature request
+description: Propose an enhancement to smath
+title: "feat: "
+labels:
+  - enhancement
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Thanks for suggesting an improvement.
+        Clear use cases help us evaluate feature requests quickly.
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: problem
+    attributes:
+      label: Problem statement
+      description: What problem are you trying to solve?
+      placeholder: Describe the limitation or pain point.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: proposal
+    attributes:
+      label: Proposed solution
+      description: Describe the API or behavior you want.
+      render: cpp
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: alternatives
+    attributes:
+      label: Alternatives considered
+      description: What other approaches did you consider?
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: impact
+    attributes:
+      label: Impact and compatibility
+      description: Any concerns around performance, API compatibility, or migration?
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
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index 0000000..ecbc969
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+# Contributing to smath
+
+Welcome to `smath` contributors!
+
+This document contains a set of guidelines to contribute to the project. If you feel like there's a mistake or something can be improved to this document, feel free to propose changes in a pull request.
+
+## Philosophy
+
+- `smath` itself should be kept header only, in a single file.
+- `smath` should be simple and easy to use.
+
+## Development setup
+
+You can work with either Nix (recommended, same tooling used in CI) or a local CMake toolchain.
+
+### Option 1: Nix
+
+Make sure you have flakes enabled and then execute the following to enter the shell:
+
+```bash
+nix develop
+```
+
+You can also run `direnv allow` if you have [direnv](https://direnv.net/) installed and configured.
+
+### Option 2: Local toolchain
+
+Requirements:
+
+- C++23-capable compiler
+- CMake (3.15+)
+- Ninja (recommended)
+
+### Configure and build
+
+```bash
+cmake -S . -B build -G Ninja -DSMATH_BUILD_TESTS=ON -DSMATH_BUILD_EXAMPLES=ON
+cmake --build build
+```
+
+## Running tests
+
+```bash
+ctest --test-dir build --output-on-failure
+```
+
+## Code style
+
+This project uses `clang-format` to maintain a consistent code style. Before opening a pull request, format changed C++ files:
+
+```bash
+git ls-files '*.hpp' '*.cpp' | xargs clang-format -i
+```
+
+## Pull requests
+
+- Keep changes focused and scoped to one topic.
+- Add or update tests when behavior changes.
+- Ensure the project builds and tests pass locally.
+
+### Commit style
+
+Use the commit message format: `<category>: <brief>`.
+
+Allowed categories: `feat`, `fix`, `test`, `docs`, `ci`.
+
+Examples:
+
+- `feat: add as_matrix() to quaternion`
+- `fix: correct mat4 approx_equal ignoring a column`
+- `test: add tests for vector swizzle edge cases`
+- `docs: fix typo in README.md`
+- `ci: update nix build command in pull request workflow`
+
+If a commit fixes a tracked issue, include an issue-closing footer: `Closes: #<num>` (example: `Closes: #42`).
+
+## Reporting issues
+
+When opening an issue, include:
+
+- what you expected to happen
+- what happened instead
+- a minimal reproducible example
+- compiler and platform details