diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b0df994
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,148 @@
+# Contributing to Ghost
+
+## Development Setup
+
+### Prerequisites
+- Rust 1.70+ (stable)
+- Windows SDK for Windows development
+- Visual Studio Build Tools
+
+### Building
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/yourusername/ghost.git
+cd ghost
+cargo build
+```
+
+### Testing
+```bash
+cargo test
+cargo run --bin ghost-cli
+```
+
+## Code Style
+
+### Rust Guidelines
+- Use `rustfmt` with default settings
+- All public APIs must have documentation
+- Follow Rust naming conventions
+- Prefer explicit error handling over `.unwrap()`
+
+### Commit Messages
+Follow conventional commits:
+- `feat: add new detection technique`
+- `fix: resolve false positive in memory scanning`
+- `perf: optimize syscall hook performance`
+- `docs: update detection coverage matrix`
+- `refactor: extract platform-specific code`
+
+## Detection Development
+
+### Adding New Techniques
+1. Research the injection method thoroughly
+2. Implement detection in `ghost-core/src/detection.rs`
+3. Add tests in `tests/detection/`
+4. Update documentation in `docs/DETECTION_METHODS.md`
+5. Add benchmark if performance critical
+
+### Platform Support
+- Windows: Primary platform, full feature support
+- Linux: eBPF-based detection (in progress)
+- macOS: Endpoint Security framework (planned)
+
+## Testing
+
+### Unit Tests
+Focus on:
+- Detection accuracy (no false positives)
+- Edge case handling
+- Memory safety
+- Performance regressions
+
+### Integration Tests
+- Real injection techniques (in controlled environment)
+- Cross-platform compatibility
+- Performance benchmarks
+
+## Documentation
+
+### Code Comments
+```rust
+/// Detects process hollowing by analyzing memory layout gaps.
+/// 
+/// This technique monitors for unusual memory allocation patterns
+/// where the original executable sections are unmapped and replaced
+/// with malicious code while preserving the process structure.
+///
+/// # Arguments
+/// * `regions` - Memory regions from VirtualQueryEx
+///
+/// # Returns
+/// Confidence score 0.0-1.0 indicating hollowing likelihood
+```
+
+### Security Considerations
+- All detection methods must be documented
+- Include MITRE ATT&CK technique mappings
+- Reference academic papers where applicable
+- Provide reproducible test cases
+
+## Review Process
+
+### Pull Requests
+1. All tests must pass
+2. Code coverage >85%
+3. Documentation updated
+4. Performance impact assessed
+5. Security review for new detection logic
+
+### Performance Requirements
+- Memory enumeration: <100ms per process
+- Thread analysis: <50ms per process  
+- Detection engine: <10ms per analysis
+- Total scan time: <5s for 200 processes
+
+## Architecture
+
+### Core Principles
+- Zero false positives
+- Minimal performance impact
+- Cross-platform compatibility
+- Educational value
+
+### Module Structure
+```
+ghost-core/
+├── detection.rs    # Core detection algorithms
+├── memory.rs       # Memory enumeration
+├── process.rs      # Process management  
+├── thread.rs       # Thread analysis
+└── platform/       # OS-specific implementations
+    ├── windows/
+    ├── linux/
+    └── macos/
+```
+
+## Security Research
+
+### Responsible Disclosure
+- Test only on systems you own
+- Report bypasses through security contacts
+- Include proof-of-concept code
+- Coordinate with maintainers
+
+### Research Areas
+- Novel injection techniques
+- Evasion methods
+- Performance optimizations
+- Anti-analysis detection
+
+## Questions?
+
+Open an issue for:
+- Feature requests
+- Bug reports
+- Documentation improvements
+- Design discussions
+
+For security issues, email: security@ghost-project.dev
\ No newline at end of file