diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index c3985316..1c3da2d4 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -7,6 +7,14 @@ as well as C (e.g. https://github.com/ostreedev/ostree/).  Depending
 on what area you want to work on, you'll need to be familiar with
 the relevant language.
 
+## Note: Before writing a big patch
+
+If you plan to contribute a large change, please get in touch *before*
+submitting a pull request by e.g. filing an issue describing your proposed
+change. This will help ensure alignment.
+
+## Development environment
+
 There isn't a single approach to working on bootc; however
 the primary developers tend to use Linux host systems,
 and test in Linux VMs.  One specifically recommended
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0e307476..134f5e4a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -30,6 +30,14 @@ are also operating systems and distributions using bootc; here are some examples
 - https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/bootc/
 - https://www.heliumos.org/
 
+## Community discussion
+
+The [Github discussion forum](https://github.com/containers/bootc/discussions) is enabled.
+
+This project is also tightly related to the previously mentioned Fedora/CentOS bootc project,
+and many developers monitor the relevant discussion forums there. In particular there's a
+Matrix channel and a weekly video call meeting for example: <https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/bootc/community/>.
+
 ## Developing bootc
 
 Are you interested in working on bootc?  Great!  See our [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) guide.