docs: consolidate contributing documentation

- Move contributing guide to root CONTRIBUTING.md
- Update all documentation references
- Add redirection document
- Improve contribution guidelines

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -0,0 +1,209 @@
+# Contributing to cert-toolkit-shell
+
+## Branch Model
+
+### Main Branch
+
+- `main` - Production-ready code, protected branch
+
+### Feature Branches
+
+Create from `main`, merge back to `main` via pull request:
+
+```bash
+git checkout -b feature/description main
+```
+
+### Hotfix Branches
+
+Create from `main`, merge back to `main` via pull request:
+
+```bash
+git checkout -b hotfix/issue-description main
+```
+
+## Workflow
+
+1. Create Feature Branch
+
+```bash
+git checkout main
+git pull
+git checkout -b feature/your-feature
+```
+
+2. Keep Current
+
+```bash
+# Update your branch with main
+git fetch origin
+git rebase origin/main
+```
+
+3. Develop and Test
+
+```bash
+# Make changes
+# Add tests
+# Run tests
+bats test/
+```
+
+4. Create Pull Request
+
+```bash
+gh pr create --base main --head feature/your-feature
+```
+
+## Pull Request Process
+
+1. Ensure all tests pass
+2. Update documentation
+3. Request review
+4. Address feedback
+5. Squash and merge to main
+
+See [Development Guide](docs/dev/contributing.md) for detailed standards.
+
+## Development Standards
+
+All contributions must follow our standards:
+
+- [Coding Standards](docs/standards/coding.md)
+- [Testing Standards](docs/testing/README.md)
+- [Documentation Standards](docs/standards/documentation.md)
+- [Security Standards](docs/standards/security.md)
+- [Implementation Standards](docs/dev/standardization.md)
+
+## Workflow Examples
+
+### Feature Development
+
+```bash
+# Start new feature
+git checkout main
+git pull
+git checkout -b feature/add-cert-validation
+
+# Regular commits
+git add src/lib/validators.sh
+git commit -m "feat: add certificate validation
+
+- Add chain validation
+- Add expiry checking
+- Add signature verification
+- Add unit tests"
+
+# Update with main
+git fetch origin
+git rebase origin/main
+
+# Push and create PR
+git push -u origin feature/add-cert-validation
+gh pr create --base main --head feature/add-cert-validation
+```
+
+### Hotfix Process
+
+```bash
+# Create hotfix branch
+git checkout main
+git checkout -b hotfix/fix-cert-parsing
+
+# Fix and test
+git add src/lib/processors.sh
+git commit -m "fix: correct certificate parsing error
+
+- Fix PEM header detection
+- Add regression test
+- Update documentation"
+
+# Create PR
+gh pr create --base main --head hotfix/fix-cert-parsing --label hotfix
+```
+
+### Code Review
+
+```bash
+# Address review feedback
+git add src/lib/validators.sh
+git commit -m "refactor: address review feedback
+
+- Improve error messages
+- Add more test cases
+- Update documentation"
+
+# Update PR
+git push
+
+# After approval, squash and merge via GitHub UI
+```
+
+## Development Process
+
+### 1. Code Quality
+
+- ShellCheck compliance
+- No TODOs in code
+- Clear documentation
+- Complete test coverage
+
+### 2. Testing Requirements
+
+- All tests pass
+- New tests added
+- Edge cases covered
+- Debug state verified
+
+### 3. Documentation Updates
+
+- Update relevant docs
+- Add examples
+- Clear descriptions
+- Version updates
+
+### 4. Review Process
+
+- Self-review first
+- Address feedback
+- Update tests
+- Verify changes
+
+## Release Process
+
+### Version Updates
+
+```bash
+# Update version in cert-manager.sh
+VERSION="1.0.0"
+
+# Tag release
+git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "Version 1.0.0"
+```
+
+### Release Checklist
+
+- [ ] All tests pass
+- [ ] Documentation updated
+- [ ] Version bumped
+- [ ] Changelog updated
+- [ ] Tagged release
+- [ ] Release notes created
+
+## Getting Help
+
+- GitHub Issues: Bug reports, features
+- Pull Requests: Contributions
+- Documentation: Questions
+
+## Additional Resources
+
+- [Development Guide](docs/dev/setup.md)
+- [Test Writing Guide](docs/testing/writing-tests.md)
+- [External Standards](docs/standards/references.md)
+
+## Related Documentation
+
+- [Development Guide](docs/dev/contributing.md)
+- [Testing Guide](docs/testing/README.md)
+- [Implementation Standards](docs/dev/standardization.md)

docs/README.md

@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 
 ### For Developers
 
-1. [Architecture Overview](dev/architecture.md)     # Standardized name
-2. [Contributing Guide](dev/contributing.md)
+1. [Architecture Overview](dev/architecture.md)
+2. [Contributing](../CONTRIBUTING.md)        # Updated reference
    - Development Setup
    - Code Review Process
    - Pull Request Process