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CONTRIBUTING.md

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+Contributing to Fiats
+--------------------------
+
+## Reporting Defects or Suggesting Features
+
+If you encounter problems or limitations when installing or using Fiats, please do the following:
+
+ 1. Search the Fiats [issues](https://github.com/berkeleylab/fiats/issues), including [closed issues].
+    If your search finds a report of the same problem, please post a comment in the issue.
+ 2. Email the Fiats [mailing list](mailto:fortran@lbl.gov) for advice.
+ 3. If steps 1 or 2 do not resolve the problem, please file a [new issue] including
+    - [ ] The Fortran compiler and compiler version used with Fiats,
+    - [ ] The complete output of the build command run with `--verbose` argument,
+    - [ ] The Fiats version number or commit hash,
+    - [ ] Any conditions required to reproduce the problem such as
+      - [ ] The output of `uname -a` showing the operating system (OS), OS version, and processor architecture,
+      - [ ] The command used to run your program (e.g., `fpm run ...`), and
+      - [ ] Details about the model input file used
+
+## Contributing Code or Documentation
+
+We welcome help with diagnosing, isolating and fixing problems or adding features!
+All contributions are governed by the Fiats [LICENSE.txt](./LICENSE.txt).
+To contribute, please follow these steps:
+
+- [ ] First please follow the [above steps](#reporting-defects-or-suggesting-features) and include a description of your proposed contribution.
+- [ ] Fork the Fiats repository into your GitHub account
+- [ ] Create a new local branch for your work. 
+- [ ] Name your branch according to the issue created.  For example `fix-issue-53` or `issue-53-feature`.
+- [ ] Make your commits logically atomic, self-consistent, and cohesive.
+- [ ] Add one or more unit tests in the `test` subdirectory to verify your fix or feature.
+- [ ] Ensure that your branch passes all tests (via `fpm test` with appropriate flags).
+- [ ] Update the [README.md](./README.md) if your branch affects anything described there.
+- [ ] Push your branch to your fork.
+- [ ] Open a [Pull Request](https://github.com/berkeleylab/fiats/pulls) (PR) against an existing branch of the Berkeley Lab [Fiats repository](https://github.com/berkeleylab/fiats). 
+- [ ] Please include the corresponding issue number in the PR title.
+- [ ] If your PR is not ready for merging, please click the downward arrow next to the "Create pull request" button and select the "Create draft pull request" option before submitting.
+- [ ] Watch for CI results on your PR and address any failures.
+- [ ] Please be patient and responsive to comments on your PR.
+
+## Current and Past Contributors
+
+Fiats is an open-source project and welcomes community participation in the development process.
+Notable current and past contributors include:
+
+* [Damian Rouson](https://go.lbl.gov/damian-rouson) 
+  [@rouson](https://github.com/rouson)
+  [![View ORCID record] 0000-0002-2344-868X](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2344-868X)
+
+* [Katherine Rasmussen](https://go.lbl.gov/katherine-rasmussen)
+  [@ktras](https://github.com/ktras)
+  [![View ORCID record] 0000-0001-7974-1853](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7974-1853)
+
+* [Dan Bonachea](https://go.lbl.gov/dan-bonachea)
+  [@bonachea](https://github.com/bonachea)
+  [![View ORCID record] 0000-0002-0724-9349](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0724-9349)
+
+* Brad Richardson
+  [@everythingfunctional](https://github.com/everythingfunctional)
+  [![View ORCID record] 0000-0002-3205-2169](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3205-2169)
+
+* Jordan A. Welsman
+  [@JordanWelsman](https://github.com/JordanWelsman)
+  [![View ORCID record] 0000-0002-2882-594X](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2882-594X)
+
+* David Torres
+  [@davytorres](https://github.com/davytorres)
+  [![View ORCID record] 0000-0003-2469-5284](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2469-5284)
+
+* Kareem Weaver
+  [@kareem-weaver](https://github.com/kareem-weaver)
+  [![View ORCID record] 0009-0009-3846-6248](https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3846-6248)
+
+You can also browse the [full list of repository contributors](https://github.com/BerkeleyLab/fiats/graphs/contributors).
+
+---
+
+[Long or Frequently Used URLs]: #
+[View ORCID record]: https://github.com/BerkeleyLab/caffeine/wiki/img/ORCID-small.png
+[closed issues]: https://github.com/berkeleylab/fiats/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aclosed
+[new issue]: https://github.com/berkeleylab/fiats/issues/new