Contributing.md link & PR template simplifications & Added ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md

.github/issue_template.md

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+<!-- < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < ☺
+v                               ✰  Thanks for creating an issue! ✰    
+☺ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >  -->
+
+## Background
+*this is where you can provide code examples or context (e.g. past PR's)*
+*(for example)*
+- *The following PRs contributed to...*
+
+## Suggested Design
+*here, you can put concrete steps as to what to do next*
+*(for example)*
+- *create test file in...*
+## Acceptance Criteria
+*goals & criteria for success*
+*(for example)*
+- *all existing and new tests should pass*

.github/pull_request_template.md

@@ -1,52 +1,18 @@
 <!-- < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < ☺
 v                               ✰  Thanks for creating a PR! ✰    
-v    Before smashing the submit button please review the checkboxes.
-v    If a checkbox is n/a - please still include it but + a little note why
-v    If your PR doesn't close an issue, that's OK!  Just remove the Closes: #XXX line!
 ☺ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >  -->
-
+## Which issue does this close?
 Closes: #XXX
+## Purpose of the change
+*Add a description of the overall background and high level changes that this PR introduces*
 
-## What is the purpose of the change
-
-*Add a description of the overall background and high level changes that this PR introduces *
-
-*(E.g.: This pull request improves documation of area A by adding ....*
-
-
-## Brief change log
-
+## Brief change log (include any info relevant to tests))
 *(for example:)*
-
   - *The metadata is stored in the blob store on job creation time as a persistent artifact*
-  - *Deployments RPC transmits only the blob storage reference*
-  - *Daemons retrieve the RPC data from the blob cache*
-
-
 ## Testing and Verifying
-
-*(Please pick one of the following options)*
-
-This change is a trivial rework / code cleanup without any test coverage.
-
-*(or)*
-
-This change is already covered by existing tests, such as *(please describe tests)*.
-
-*(or)*
-
-This change added tests and can be verified as follows:
-
-*(example:)*
+*(tests example:)*
   - *Added unit test that validates ...*
-  - *Added integration tests for end-to-end deployment with ...*
-  - *Extended integration test for ...*
-  - *Manually verified the change by ...*
-
-## Documentation and Release Note
-
-  - Does this pull request introduce a new feature or user-facing behavior changes? (yes / no)
-  - Is a relevant changelog entry added to the `Unreleased` section in `CHANGELOG.md`? (yes / no)
-  - How is the feature or change documented? (not applicable   /   specification (`x/<module>/spec/`)  /  [Osmosis docs repo](https://github.com/osmosis-labs/docs)   /   not documented)
-
+## Documentation and Release Note (for new features, delete if N/A)
+  - A relevant changelog entry was added to the `Unreleased` section in `CHANGELOG.md`? (yes / no)
+  - Documentation exists for this current feature? (yes / no)
 

README.md

@@ -27,6 +27,11 @@ For the most up to date documentation please visit [docs.osmosis.zone](https://d
 
 Thank you for supporting a healthy blockchain network and community by running an Osmosis node!
 
+## Contributing
+The contributing guide for Osmosis explains the branching structure, how to use the SDK fork, and how to make / test updates to SDK branches.  
+
+For more information, please see [the contributing guide](https://docs.osmosis.zone/developing/get_started/contributing.html).
+
 ## Why Osmosis?
 ### On customizability of liquidity pools
 Most major AMMs limit the changeable parameters of liquidity pools. For example, Uniswap only allows the creation of a two-token pool of equal ratio with the swap fee of 0.3%. The simplicity of Uniswap protocol allowed quick onboarding of the average user that previously had little to no experience in market making.