diff --git a/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md b/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1e194623a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# Contributing to logstash-gelf
+
+If you would like to contribute code you can do so through GitHub by forking the repository and sending a pull request.
+
+When submitting code, please make every effort to follow existing conventions and style in order to keep the code as readable as possible.
+Formatting settings are provided for Eclipse in https://github.com/mp911de/logstash-gelf/blob/master/as7formatter.xml
+
+## Bugreports
+
+If you report a bug, please ensure to specify the following:
+
+* logstash-gelf version (e.g. 1.6.0)
+* Contextual information (what were you trying to do using logstash-gelf)
+* Simplest possible steps to reproduce
+   * JUnit tests to reproduce are great but not obligatory
+
+## License
+
+By contributing your code, you agree to license your contribution under the terms of [The MIT License (MIT)] (http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT).
+
+All files are released with the MIT license.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f09400d9a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+<!--
+Thank you for creating an issue. This template will guide you through the essential steps necessary to create an amazing issue.
+
+## Logs
+Please use Gist (https://gist.github.com/) or a similar code paster for longer
+logs.
+-->
+Make sure that:
+
+- [ ] You have read the [contribution guidelines](https://github.com/mp911de/logstash-gelf/blob/master/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+- [ ] You specify the logstash-gelf version and environment so it's obvious which version is affected
+- [ ] You provide a reproducible test case (either descriptive of as JUnit test) if it's a bug or the expected behavior differs from the actual behavior.
+
+ <!--
+Great! Live long and prosper.
+-->
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ef30355c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+<!--
+Thank you for proposing a pull request. This template will guide you through the essential steps necessary for a pull request.
+-->
+Make sure that:
+
+- [ ] You have read the [contribution guidelines](https://github.com/mp911de/logstash-gelf/blob/master/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+- [ ] You use the code formatters provided [here](https://github.com/mp911de/logstash-gelf/blob/master/as7formatter.xml) and have them applied to your changes. Don’t submit any formatting related changes.
+- [ ] You submit test cases (unit or integration tests) that back your changes.
+
+ <!--
+Great! Live long and prosper.
+-->
\ No newline at end of file