diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..028db64e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+# Contributing
+
+The module replacements data set is used widely across the ecosystem, so it is important we follow a consistent process when making changes to it. This especially matters when adding new replacements, as we're effectively recommending that the ecosystem mass migrates away from the old module.
+
+## Adding a module to be replaced
+
+If you want to add a new replacement, please open an issue first to discuss it.
+
+In the issue you create, it is important to include as much justification as you can for why it should be replaced and what the replacement should be.
+
+Basic information you should include in the issue:
+
+- The name of the module you want to replace.
+- The name of the module or native API you want to replace it with.
+- Which manifest you think it belongs in (see below)
+- Why you think it should be replaced (e.g. security, performance, etc.)
+- Availability of the replacement (e.g. is it available in all LTS versions of Node, or only newer ones?)
+- A code example of how to migrate from the old module to the new one.
+
+When evaluating if something should be replaced, we look for things like:
+
+- Is it no longer maintained?
+- Does it have security issues?
+- Is it significantly larger or slower than the replacement?
+- Is it a very small module that should be inlined?
+- Does it have a native alternative that is widely supported?
+- Does it have significant adoption (usually more than 10k downloads per week)?
+
+When evaluating the replacement, we look for things like:
+
+- If not native, does it have significant adoption already (usually more than 10k downloads per week)?
+- If it is native, is it available in all modern engines (usually those which are LTS)?
+- Does it replace all primary functionality of the old module?
+- Is it maintained and does it have a good track record of security and stability?
+- Is it smaller and/or faster than the old module?
+
+We may also take other things into consideration, so this is not an exhaustive list.
+
+### Choosing a manifest
+
+We have three types of manifest:
+
+- `native`: for replacements that are native APIs in all engines, or are built into the runtime (e.g. Node)
+- `micro-utilities`: for replacements of modules that are overly small and should generally be inlined
+- `preferred`: for replacements of modules that are more performant than the old module
+
+### Choosing a replacement type
+
+There are different types of replacements available:
+
+- `removal`: for removing the old module without a replacement (e.g. modules which check if a now widely supported API is available)
+- `simple`: for replacing the old module with inline code
+- `native`: for replacing the old module with native APIs (e.g. standard web APIs, or Node built-ins)
+- `documented`: for replacing the old module with a documented alternative
+
+When using the `documented` type, you should generally follow these guidelines:
+
+- The mapping should have a `url` which points to an e18e documentation page (i.e. those in the [modules](https://github.com/es-tooling/module-replacements/tree/main/docs/modules) directory of the repo) which describes the replacement and how to migrate to it.
+- The replacement does not necessarily need a `url` itself
+- The replacement does not need a `description`
+
+When using the `native` type:
+
+- The mapping generally does not need a `url`
+- The replacement should have a `url` to its external documentation (e.g. MDN or Node docs)
+- The replacement should have a `webFeatureId` if it is a web standard (these come from the [`web-features` dataset](https://github.com/web-platform-dx/web-features/tree/main/features))
+- The replacement should have a `nodeFeatureId` if it is a Node built-in (these are of the form `{ moduleName: string, exportName?: string }`. For example, `fs` would be `{"moduleName": "fs"}`, while `fs.readFile` would be `{"moduleName": "fs", "exportName": "readFile"}`)
+
+When using the `simple` type:
+
+- The replacement should be of the form `snippet::{name}` where `name` is a suitable descriptive name for what the snippet does (e.g. `snippet:is-odd` for a snippet that checks if a number is odd)
+- The replacement description should be a short human-readable description of what the snippet does, and how it replaces the old module (e.g. "You can use arr.at(-1) to get the last element of an array")
+- The replacement should have an `example` which is purely code (i.e. it should be valid JS in its entirety) and should show the snippet
+
+When using the `removal` type:
+
+- There should usually be one replacement to one mapping, with the same ID (e.g. the `airbnb-js-shims` [replacement](https://github.com/es-tooling/module-replacements/blob/131e2d8bb4a4793f54b7193ab9b7433c3f2ae839/manifests/native.json#L1366-L1370) has the same ID as the [mapping](https://github.com/es-tooling/module-replacements/blob/131e2d8bb4a4793f54b7193ab9b7433c3f2ae839/manifests/native.json#L1632-L1636))
+- The replacement description should briefly explain why the module is no longer needed
+
+## Removing a replacement
+
+It is rare, but sometimes it may make sense to remove a replacement from the dataset.
+
+Usually, this happens if the original module has since been improved or regained maintenance, or if the replacement is no longer maintained or has security issues.
+
+If you want to remove a replacement, please open an issue first to discuss it.
+
+Explain why you think it should be removed and provide any relevant information or evidence to support your case.
+
+## Adding a replacement to an existing module
+
+If you want to add a replacement to an existing module, please open an issue first to discuss it. You should generally follow all the same guidelines as when adding a new module, but you should also explain why you think the new replacement should be added in addition to the existing ones.
+
+Just like when adding a new module, we will evaluate the replacement based on similar criteria, such as adoption, availability, functionality, maintenance, security, and performance.
+
+## Running tests
+
+We currently validate the data through a set of lint scripts which you can run with `npm run lint`. This will check for things like:
+
+- All manifests conform to the JSON schema
+- Valid references (`webFeatureId`, `nodeFeatureId`, docs, etc.)
+- No duplicate mappings or replacements
+- Documentation is up to date
+
+These checks are not exhaustive, we will also validate other things and do some manual checks when reviewing PRs.