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+# Contributing to MSML
+
+Thank you for your interest in contributing to the Mathematical Specification Mapping Library (MSML). This guide will help you get started.
+
+## Table of Contents
+
+- [Code of Conduct](#code-of-conduct)
+- [Getting Started](#getting-started)
+- [Development Workflow](#development-workflow)
+- [Project Structure](#project-structure)
+- [Coding Guidelines](#coding-guidelines)
+- [Testing](#testing)
+- [Documentation](#documentation)
+- [Submitting Changes](#submitting-changes)
+
+## Code of Conduct
+
+We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment. Please be respectful and considerate in your interactions with other contributors.
+
+## Getting Started
+
+### Environment Setup
+
+1. **Fork and clone the repository:**
+   ```bash
+   git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/MSML.git
+   cd MSML
+   ```
+
+2. **Install uv** (if not already installed):
+   ```bash
+   # On macOS and Linux
+   curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh
+
+   # On Windows
+   powershell -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"
+   ```
+
+3. **Set up the development environment:**
+   ```bash
+   uv sync
+   ```
+
+   This creates a virtual environment in `.venv/` and installs all dependencies.
+
+4. **Activate the virtual environment:**
+   ```bash
+   # On macOS/Linux
+   source .venv/bin/activate
+
+   # On Windows
+   .venv\Scripts\activate
+   ```
+
+For more detailed setup instructions, see [SETUP.md](SETUP.md).
+
+## Development Workflow
+
+### Creating a Branch
+
+Create a new branch for your work:
+
+```bash
+git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name
+# or
+git checkout -b fix/your-bug-fix
+```
+
+Branch naming conventions:
+- `feature/` - New features or enhancements
+- `fix/` - Bug fixes
+- `docs/` - Documentation changes
+- `refactor/` - Code refactoring
+- `test/` - Test additions or modifications
+
+### Making Changes
+
+1. Make your changes in the codebase
+2. Test your changes locally (see [Testing](#testing))
+3. Ensure code follows our style guidelines (see [Coding Guidelines](#coding-guidelines))
+4. Commit your changes with clear, descriptive messages
+
+### Commit Messages
+
+Write clear and descriptive commit messages:
+
+```
+Add feature to export specifications to JSON
+
+- Implement JSONExporter class
+- Add validation for export format
+- Include tests for edge cases
+```
+
+Format:
+- First line: Brief summary (50 chars or less)
+- Blank line
+- Detailed description with bullet points if needed
+
+## Project Structure
+
+```
+MSML/
+├── src/
+│   └── math_spec_mapping/
+│       ├── Classes/          # Core classes (Block, Space, State, etc.)
+│       ├── Load/             # Loading and parsing specifications
+│       ├── Reports/          # Report generation
+│       └── Convenience/      # Helper utilities
+├── examples/                 # Example specifications and notebooks
+├── docs/                     # Documentation (Jekyll site)
+├── tests/                    # Test suite (if present)
+├── pyproject.toml           # Project metadata and dependencies
+├── uv.lock                  # Locked dependencies
+└── README.md                # Project overview
+```
+
+### Key Components
+
+- **Classes**: Core abstractions (Block, Space, State, Mechanism, Policy, etc.)
+- **Load**: Parsers and validators for JSON specifications
+- **Reports**: Generators for Markdown, HTML, and Obsidian outputs
+- **Convenience**: Helper functions for common workflows
+
+## Coding Guidelines
+
+### Python Style
+
+- Follow [PEP 8](https://peps.python.org/pep-0008/) style guide
+- Use meaningful variable and function names
+- Keep functions focused and single-purpose
+- Add docstrings to classes and public methods
+- Use type hints where appropriate
+
+### Code Quality
+
+- **Keep it simple**: Prefer clarity over cleverness
+- **DRY principle**: Don't repeat yourself
+- **Avoid breaking changes**: Maintain backward compatibility when possible
+- **Document assumptions**: Add comments for non-obvious logic
+
+### Example Code Style
+
+```python
+from typing import Dict, Optional
+
+class MyClass:
+    """Brief description of the class.
+    
+    Longer description if needed, explaining the purpose
+    and usage of the class.
+    """
+    
+    def my_method(self, param: str, optional_param: Optional[int] = None) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Brief description of what the method does.
+        
+        Args:
+            param: Description of param
+            optional_param: Description of optional_param
+            
+        Returns:
+            Description of return value
+        """
+        # Implementation
+        pass
+```
+
+## Testing
+
+### Running Tests
+
+If tests are present in the repository:
+
+```bash
+# Run all tests
+uv run pytest
+
+# Run specific test file
+uv run pytest tests/test_specific.py
+
+# Run with coverage
+uv run pytest --cov=math_spec_mapping
+```
+
+### Writing Tests
+
+When adding new features:
+
+1. Add unit tests for new functions/classes
+2. Test edge cases and error conditions
+3. Ensure tests are deterministic and isolated
+4. Use descriptive test names
+
+Example:
+```python
+def test_block_creation_with_valid_inputs():
+    """Test that Block is created correctly with valid inputs."""
+    # Arrange
+    block_data = {...}
+    
+    # Act
+    block = Block(block_data)
+    
+    # Assert
+    assert block.name == expected_name
+```
+
+## Documentation
+
+### Code Documentation
+
+- Add docstrings to all public classes and methods
+- Update docstrings when modifying existing code
+- Use clear, concise language
+- Include examples for complex functionality
+
+### Project Documentation
+
+When making significant changes:
+
+1. Update relevant sections in `README.md`
+2. Add or update documentation in `docs/`
+3. Update examples if API changes affect them
+4. Consider adding a guide or tutorial for new features
+
+## Submitting Changes
+
+### Before Submitting
+
+1. **Test your changes**: Ensure all tests pass
+2. **Check code style**: Follow the coding guidelines
+3. **Update documentation**: Add/update relevant docs
+4. **Review your changes**: Self-review the diff
+
+```bash
+# Review your changes
+git diff
+
+# Check what files will be committed
+git status
+```
+
+### Creating a Pull Request
+
+1. **Push your branch:**
+   ```bash
+   git push origin feature/your-feature-name
+   ```
+
+2. **Open a Pull Request** on GitHub with:
+   - Clear title describing the change
+   - Description explaining what and why
+   - Reference to related issues (e.g., "Closes #123")
+   - Any special testing instructions
+
+### Pull Request Template
+
+```markdown
+## Summary
+Brief description of the changes
+
+## Changes
+- Change 1
+- Change 2
+
+## Related Issues
+Closes #123
+
+## Testing
+How were these changes tested?
+
+## Screenshots (if applicable)
+Add screenshots for UI changes
+```
+
+### Review Process
+
+- Maintainers will review your PR
+- Address feedback and push updates to your branch
+- Once approved, maintainers will merge your PR
+
+### After Merging
+
+1. Delete your feature branch (if desired)
+2. Pull the latest main branch
+   ```bash
+   git checkout main
+   git pull origin main
+   ```
+
+## Questions or Need Help?
+
+- Open an issue for questions or discussions
+- Check existing issues and documentation first
+- Be specific about your environment and the problem
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