diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6ba12e631
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+# Contributing to Node-RED
+
+We welcome contributions, but request you follow these guidelines.
+
+## Raising issues
+
+Please raise any bug reports on the project's 
+[issue tracker](https://github.com/node-red/node-red/issues?state=open). Be sure to
+search the list to see if your issue has already been raised.
+
+A good bug report is one that make it easy for us to understand what you were
+trying to do and what went wrong.
+
+Provide as much context as possible so we can try to recreate the issue.
+If possible, include the relevant part of your flow. To do this, select the
+relevant nodes, press Ctrl-E and copy the flow data from the Export dialog.
+
+## New features
+
+For feature requests, please raise them on the [mailing list](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/node-red).
+
+## Pull-Requests
+
+### Changes to existing code
+if you want to raise a pull-request with a new feature, or a refactoring
+of existing code, it may well get rejected if you haven't discussed it on 
+the [mailing list](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/node-red) first.
+
+### New nodes
+
+The plugin nature of Node-RED means anyone can create a new node to extend
+its capabilities.
+
+We want to avoid duplication as that can lead to confusion. Many of our existing
+nodes offer a starting point of functionality. If they are missing features,
+we would rather extend them than add separate 'advanced' versions. But the key
+to that approach is getting the UX right to not lose the simplicity.
+
+To contribute a new node, please raise a pull-request against the 
+`node-red-nodes` repository.
+
+Eventually, the nodes will be npm-installable, but we're not there yet. We'll
+also have some sort of registry of nodes to help with discoverability.
+
+### Coding standards
+
+Please ensure you follow the coding standards used through-out the existing
+code base. Some basic rules include:
+
+ - all files must have the Apache license in the header.
+ - indent with 4-spaces, no tabs. No arguments.
+ - opening brace on same line as `if`/`for`/`function`/etc, closing brace on its
+   own line.
+
+### Contributor License Aggreement
+
+In order for us to accept pull-requests, the contributor must first complete
+a Contributor License Agreement (CLA). This clarifies the intellectual 
+property license granted with any contribution. It is for your protection as a 
+Contributor as well as the protection of IBM and its customers; it does not 
+change your rights to use your own Contributions for any other purpose.
+
+Once you have created a pull-request, we'll provide a link to the appropriate
+CLA document.
+
+If you are an IBMer, please contact us directly as the contribution process is
+slightly different.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cdc862615..c85b83195 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -30,46 +30,7 @@ list.
 
 ## Contributing
 
-### Reporting issues
-
-Please raise any bug reports on the project's [issue tracker](https://github.com/node-red/node-red/issues?state=open).
-Be sure to search the list to see if your issue has already been raised.
-
-For feature requests, please raise them on the [mailing list](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/node-red)
-first.
-
-### Creating new nodes
-
-The plugin nature of Node-RED means anyone can create a new node to extend
-its capabilities. 
-
-We want to avoid duplication as that can lead to confusion. Many of our existing
-nodes offer a starting point of functionality. If they are missing features,
-we would rather extend them than add separate 'advanced' versions. But the key
-to that approach is getting the UX right to not lose the simplicity.
-
-We are also going to be quite selective over what nodes are included in the main
-repository - enough to be useful, but not so many that new user is overwhelmed.
-
-To contribute a new node, please raise a pull-request against the 
-`node-red-nodes` repository.
-
-Eventually, the nodes will be npm-installable, but we're not there yet. We'll
-also have some sort of registry of nodes to help with discoverability.
-
-### Pull-Requests
-
-In order for us to accept pull-requests, the contributor must first complete
-a Contributor License Agreement (CLA). This clarifies the intellectual 
-property license granted with any contribution. It is for your protection as a 
-Contributor as well as the protection of IBM and its customers; it does not 
-change your rights to use your own Contributions for any other purpose.
-
-Once you have created a pull-request, we'll provide a link to the appropriate
-CLA document.
-
-If you are an IBMer, please contact us directly as the contribution process is
-slightly different.
+Please see [CONTRIBUTING.md]
 
 ## Authors