diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1f57b202
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+# Contributing
+
+contributions to Furnace are welcome!
+
+# Getting ready
+
+log into your Github account, and click the Fork button in the header of the project's page.
+
+then open a terminal and clone your fork:
+
+```
+git clone git@github.com:USERNAME/furnace.git
+```
+
+(replace `USERNAME` with your username)
+
+# Working
+
+## Code
+
+bug fixes, improvements and several other things accepted.
+
+the coding style is described here:
+
+- indentation: two spaces
+- modified 1TBS style:
+  - no spaces in function calls
+  - spaces between arguments in function declarations
+  - no spaces in operations except for `||` and `&&`
+  - no space between variable name and assignment
+  - space between macro in string literals
+  - C++ pointer style: `void* variable` rather than `void *variable`
+  - indent switch cases
+  - preprocessor directives not intended
+  - if macro comprises more than one line, indent
+
+some files (particularly the ones in `src/engine/platform/sound` and `extern/`) don't follow this style.
+
+you don't have to follow this style. I will fix it after I accept your contribution.
+
+## Demo Songs
+
+just put your demo song in `demos/`!
+
+# Finishing
+
+after you've done your modifications, commit the changes and push.
+then open your fork on GitHub and send a pull request.
+
+# I don't know how to use Git but I want to contribute with a demo song
+
+you can also contact me directly! [find me here.](https://tildearrow.org/?p=contact)
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3855de4a..c7fbb8d1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 
 this is a work-in-progress chiptune tracker compatible with DefleMask modules (.dmf).
 
+[downloads](#downloads) | [discussion](#discussion) | [help](#help) | [developer info](#developer-info)
+
 ## features
 
 - supports the following systems:
@@ -36,7 +38,11 @@ this is a work-in-progress chiptune tracker compatible with DefleMask modules (.
 
 ## downloads
 
-check out the Releases page. available for Windows, macOS and Linux (AppImage).
+check out the [Releases](https://github.com/tildearrow/furnace/releases) page. available for Windows, macOS and Linux (AppImage).
+
+## discussion
+
+see the [Discussions](https://github.com/tildearrow/furnace/discussions) section, or (preferably) the [official Discord server](https://discord.gg/EfrwT2wq7z).
 
 ## help
 
@@ -59,7 +65,7 @@ your typical CMake project. clone (including submodules) and:
 
 ### Windows using MSVC
 
-**no longer tested!** as of now tildearrow uses MinGW for Windows builds...
+as of now tildearrow uses MinGW for Windows builds, but thanks to OPNA2608 this works again!
 
 from the developer tools command prompt: