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+# Contributing to AgentCircle
+
+Thank you for your interest in contributing to AgentCircle! This document provides guidelines and instructions for contributing to this AI agent trust and payment layer protocol.
+
+## Table of Contents
+
+- [Code of Conduct](#code-of-conduct)
+- [Getting Started](#getting-started)
+- [Development Setup](#development-setup)
+- [Project Structure](#project-structure)
+- [Contributing Workflow](#contributing-workflow)
+- [Coding Standards](#coding-standards)
+- [Testing](#testing)
+- [Security](#security)
+- [Community](#community)
+
+## Code of Conduct
+
+This project adheres to a code of conduct that all contributors are expected to follow:
+
+- Be respectful and inclusive in all interactions
+- Provide constructive feedback and accept it gracefully
+- Focus on what's best for the AI agent ecosystem
+- Show empathy towards other contributors and users
+
+## Getting Started
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+Before you begin, ensure you have the following installed:
+
+- **Node.js** (v18 or higher)
+- **npm** or **yarn**
+- **Git**
+- **Foundry** (for Solidity development)
+- **MetaMask** or similar Web3 wallet
+- **Base Sepolia testnet ETH** (for testing)
+
+### Quick Start
+
+1. **Fork the repository** on GitHub
+2. **Clone your fork**:
+   ```bash
+   git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/AgentCircle.git
+   cd AgentCircle
+   ```
+3. **Install dependencies**:
+   ```bash
+   npm install
+   ```
+4. **Set up environment variables**:
+   ```bash
+   cp .env.example .env
+   # Edit .env with your configuration
+   ```
+
+## Development Setup
+
+### Smart Contract Development
+
+AgentCircle uses Solidity for its on-chain components:
+
+```bash
+# Install Foundry
+curl -L https://foundry.paradigm.xyz | bash
+foundryup
+
+# Install dependencies
+forge install
+
+# Compile contracts
+forge build
+
+# Run tests
+forge test
+```
+
+### Frontend Development
+
+```bash
+# Start development server
+npm run dev
+
+# Build for production
+npm run build
+
+# Run linter
+npm run lint
+```
+
+### TEE Environment Setup
+
+For TEE-related development:
+
+1. **Install TEE SDK** (follow vendor-specific instructions)
+2. **Configure TEE environment variables** in `.env`
+3. **Test TEE operations** using provided test scripts
+
+## Project Structure
+
+```
+AgentCircle/
+├── contracts/          # Solidity smart contracts
+│   ├── AgentPolicy.sol      # Core policy management
+│   ├── TrustRegistry.sol    # Agent trust scoring
+│   └── PaymentEscrow.sol    # Payment handling
+├── src/               # Frontend source code
+│   ├── components/    # React components
+│   ├── hooks/         # Custom React hooks
+│   └── utils/         # Utility functions
+├── test/              # Test files
+│   ├── unit/          # Unit tests
+│   └── integration/   # Integration tests
+├── scripts/           # Deployment and utility scripts
+└── docs/              # Documentation
+```
+
+## Contributing Workflow
+
+### 1. Create an Issue
+
+Before starting work:
+
+- Check existing issues to avoid duplicates
+- Create a new issue describing your proposed change
+- Wait for maintainer feedback on significant changes
+
+### 2. Branch Naming
+
+Create branches with descriptive names:
+
+```
+feature/add-lit-protocol-integration
+fix/tee-attestation-bug
+docs/update-api-reference
+refactor/optimize-gas-usage
+```
+
+### 3. Commit Messages
+
+Follow conventional commits format:
+
+```
+type(scope): description
+
+[optional body]
+
+[optional footer]
+```
+
+Types:
+- `feat`: New feature
+- `fix`: Bug fix
+- `docs`: Documentation changes
+- `style`: Code style changes (formatting)
+- `refactor`: Code refactoring
+- `test`: Test additions/changes
+- `chore`: Build process or auxiliary tool changes
+
+Examples:
+```
+feat(contracts): add ERC-8004 policy attestation
+
+Implement ERC-8004 standard for agent policy attestations
+with TEE-backed signatures.
+
+Closes #123
+```
+
+### 4. Pull Request Process
+
+1. **Ensure tests pass**:
+   ```bash
+   forge test
+   npm test
+   ```
+
+2. **Update documentation** if needed
+
+3. **Create PR** with:
+   - Clear title and description
+   - Reference to related issue(s)
+   - Screenshots (for UI changes)
+   - Test results
+
+4. **Address review feedback** promptly
+
+5. **Wait for approval** from at least one maintainer
+
+## Coding Standards
+
+### Solidity
+
+- Follow [Solidity Style Guide](https://docs.soliditylang.org/en/latest/style-guide.html)
+- Use `solhint` for linting
+- Document all public functions with NatSpec
+- Include comprehensive inline comments for complex logic
+
+```solidity
+/**
+ * @notice Registers an agent's policy on-chain
+ * @param agentId Unique identifier for the agent
+ * @param policyHash IPFS hash of the policy document
+ * @param teeAttestation TEE attestation of policy compliance
+ * @return policyId The unique policy ID
+ */
+function registerPolicy(
+    bytes32 agentId,
+    string calldata policyHash,
+    bytes calldata teeAttestation
+) external returns (uint256 policyId) {
+    // Implementation
+}
+```
+
+### TypeScript/JavaScript
+
+- Use TypeScript for all new code
+- Follow ESLint configuration
+- Use functional components with hooks
+- Document complex functions with JSDoc
+
+```typescript
+/**
+ * Verifies TEE attestation for an agent policy
+ * @param policyId - The policy ID to verify
+ * @param attestation - TEE attestation bytes
+ * @returns Promise resolving to verification result
+ */
+async function verifyAttestation(
+  policyId: string,
+  attestation: Uint8Array
+): Promise<VerificationResult> {
+  // Implementation
+}
+```
+
+## Testing
+
+### Unit Tests
+
+Write comprehensive unit tests for all contracts:
+
+```solidity
+function test_RegisterPolicy_Success() public {
+    // Arrange
+    bytes32 agentId = keccak256("agent1");
+    string memory policyHash = "QmTest123";
+    bytes memory attestation = hex"1234";
+    
+    // Act
+    uint256 policyId = registry.registerPolicy(agentId, policyHash, attestation);
+    
+    // Assert
+    assertEq(registry.getPolicyAgent(policyId), agentId);
+}
+```
+
+### Integration Tests
+
+Test cross-contract interactions:
+
+```bash
+# Run all tests
+forge test
+
+# Run with gas report
+forge test --gas-report
+
+# Run specific test
+forge test --match-test test_RegisterPolicy
+```
+
+### Frontend Tests
+
+```bash
+# Run unit tests
+npm test
+
+# Run with coverage
+npm run test:coverage
+
+# Run e2e tests
+npm run test:e2e
+```
+
+## Security
+
+### Reporting Vulnerabilities
+
+**DO NOT** open public issues for security vulnerabilities.
+
+Instead:
+1. Email security concerns to: security@agentcircle.xyz
+2. Include detailed description and reproduction steps
+3. Allow 48 hours for initial response
+4. Coordinate disclosure timeline
+
+### Security Best Practices
+
+When contributing:
+
+- **Never commit private keys** or sensitive data
+- **Use environment variables** for configuration
+- **Validate all inputs** in smart contracts
+- **Follow checks-effects-interactions** pattern
+- **Use reentrancy guards** where appropriate
+- **Get security review** for significant changes
+
+### TEE Security
+
+- Verify attestation signatures
+- Validate TEE measurement hashes
+- Use secure channels for sensitive data
+- Follow Lit Protocol security guidelines
+
+## Community
+
+### Communication Channels
+
+- **GitHub Issues**: Bug reports and feature requests
+- **GitHub Discussions**: General questions and ideas
+- **Discord**: [Join our community](https://discord.gg/agentcircle)
+- **Twitter**: [@AgentCircle](https://twitter.com/AgentCircle)
+
+### Getting Help
+
+- Check [documentation](https://docs.agentcircle.xyz)
+- Search existing issues
+- Ask in Discord #dev-help channel
+- Tag maintainers in PRs if stuck
+
+### Recognition
+
+Contributors will be:
+- Listed in CONTRIBUTORS.md
+- Mentioned in release notes
+- Eligible for bounty programs
+- Considered for core team roles
+
+## Bounty Program
+
+We offer bounties for:
+
+- **Critical bugs**: $5,000 - $10,000
+- **High impact features**: $1,000 - $5,000
+- **Documentation improvements**: $100 - $500
+- **Test coverage**: $50 - $200
+
+Check [active bounties](https://github.com/PL-Genesis-AgentCircle/AgentCircle/issues?q=is%3Aopen+label%3Abounty) for opportunities.
+
+## License
+
+By contributing, you agree that your contributions will be licensed under the MIT License.
+
+---
+
+Thank you for helping build the trust layer for AI agents! 🚀
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