From fa55fb9fae77b49cdf8f69c8388436533873d7c3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: markqvist <mark@unsigned.io>
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2026 23:27:34 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 1/8] Update README.md

---
 README.md | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 780531b..0ebf24e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 Sideband <img align="right" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/License-CC%20BY--NC--SA%204.0-lightgrey.svg"/>
 =========
 
-*This repository is [a public mirror](./MIRROR.md). All development is happening elsewhere.*
+*This repository is [a public mirror](./MIRROR.md). All development is happening elsewhere. While new releases are posted here, the latest source code is only available over Reticulum.*
 
 To understand the foundational philosophy and goals of this system, read the [Zen of Reticulum](Zen%20of%20Reticulum.md).
 

From 5c2fad812614a024c01ef31d0729cf90f6633ee7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: markqvist <mark@unsigned.io>
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2026 23:27:53 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 2/8] Update README.md

---
 README.md | 3 ++-
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0ebf24e..a4cfca0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 Sideband <img align="right" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/License-CC%20BY--NC--SA%204.0-lightgrey.svg"/>
 =========
 
-*This repository is [a public mirror](./MIRROR.md). All development is happening elsewhere. While new releases are posted here, the latest source code is only available over Reticulum.*
+*This repository is [a public mirror](./MIRROR.md). All development is happening elsewhere.*
+*While new releases are posted here, the latest source code is only available over Reticulum.*
 
 To understand the foundational philosophy and goals of this system, read the [Zen of Reticulum](Zen%20of%20Reticulum.md).
 

From 1dd47f53cc41e1d6d6def0291f7db2a84902fe04 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: markqvist <mark@unsigned.io>
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2026 23:28:15 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 3/8] Update README.md

---
 README.md | 3 +--
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a4cfca0..1af833f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 Sideband <img align="right" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/License-CC%20BY--NC--SA%204.0-lightgrey.svg"/>
 =========
 
-*This repository is [a public mirror](./MIRROR.md). All development is happening elsewhere.*
-*While new releases are posted here, the latest source code is only available over Reticulum.*
+*This repository is [a public mirror](./MIRROR.md). All development is happening elsewhere. While new releases are posted here, the latest source code is only available over Reticulum itself.*
 
 To understand the foundational philosophy and goals of this system, read the [Zen of Reticulum](Zen%20of%20Reticulum.md).
 

From 7db7c067d50b0de05e3bcda7a05f409f11dd155c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: markqvist <mark@unsigned.io>
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2026 22:04:36 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 6/8] Update README.md

---
 README.md | 19 ++++++++++++++++++-
 1 file changed, 18 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1af833f..18aba11 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,7 +1,24 @@
 Sideband <img align="right" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/License-CC%20BY--NC--SA%204.0-lightgrey.svg"/>
 =========
 
-*This repository is [a public mirror](./MIRROR.md). All development is happening elsewhere. While new releases are posted here, the latest source code is only available over Reticulum itself.*
+> [!WARNING]
+> Several hastily launched, incorrect, and in most cases entirely LLM-generated fakes of Sideband and associated tools are currently being circulated and marketed. Most of these "projects" violate the license that Sideband was published under, but claim independent ownership and license grants.
+>
+> Such claims or grants are **not legally valid**, and **not** recognized by the Sideband author and copyright holder.
+>
+> Any claimed assertion of copyright or grant of license that such projects are making are [void grants](https://reticulum.network/manual/brandolinis.html#void-grants-legal-foundations-of-machine-generated-code).
+>
+> Both the violators themselves, and **all** downstream projects using the infringing derivatives, are **directly** and **personally** liable for the legal consequences.
+>
+> For more detailed information, see the relevant sections of the [Brandolini's Reference](https://reticulum.network/manual/brandolinis.html) chapter of the Reticulum Manual. For software and projects recognized by the Reticulum community, see the [Programs Using Reticulum](https://reticulum.network/manual/software.html) chapter.
+>
+> Do **not** use these "projects", they are a hazard to the entire ecosystem we have been carefully building over the last ten years.
+
+*Due to the blatant copyright infringement, LLM-laundering and disrespect for open-source developers, the source code in this repository is no longer updated. All development is happening over Reticulum, where the latest source is always available.*
+
+*Packages and updates continue to ship on PyPI and over `rngit`. Compiled APKs, AppImages, wheels and portable exe bundles will continue to be published here as well.*
+
+---
 
 To understand the foundational philosophy and goals of this system, read the [Zen of Reticulum](Zen%20of%20Reticulum.md).
 

From ccf1b082080f175324c63581579083ac81362297 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: markqvist <mark@unsigned.io>
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2026 11:32:57 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 7/8] Update README.md

---
 README.md | 2 ++
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 18aba11..d9ff57c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ Sideband <img align="right" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/License-CC%20BY--N
 
 To understand the foundational philosophy and goals of this system, read the [Zen of Reticulum](Zen%20of%20Reticulum.md).
 
+For an Android-specific quickstart guide for new users, see the community-provided [Sideband Quick-start by RNS Moscow](https://docs.rns.moscow/sideband-quickstart/).
+
 Sideband is an extensible LXMF messaging and LXST telephony client, situational awareness tracker and remote control and monitoring system for Android, Linux, macOS and Windows. It allows you to communicate with other people or LXMF-compatible systems over Reticulum networks using LoRa, Packet Radio, WiFi, I2P, Encrypted QR Paper Messages, or anything else Reticulum supports.
 
 ![Screenshot](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/raw/main/docs/screenshots/devices_small.webp)

From ef572b58e88ff4e4326d51778336922a53b2a03f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: markqvist <mark@unsigned.io>
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2026 16:59:29 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 8/8] Update CONTRIBUTING.md

---
 CONTRIBUTING.md | 68 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++------------
 1 file changed, 52 insertions(+), 16 deletions(-)

diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index a895acc..38372f7 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -1,31 +1,67 @@
-# Contribution Guidelines
+# Contributing to Reticulum
 
-Welcome, and thank you for your interest in contributing to this project!
+Welcome, and thank you for your interest in contributing to Reticulum!
 
-Apart from writing code, there are many ways in which you can contribute. Before interacting with this community, read these short and simple guidelines.
+Before interacting with this community, read these short and simple guidelines.
+
+If you didn't shit your pants after reading this document, you may well find that we are all really quite cuddly and nice to be around. Mostly.
 
 ## Expected Conduct
 
-First and foremost, there is one simple requirement for taking part in this community: While we primarily interact virtually, your actions matter and have real consequences. Therefore: **Act like a responsible, civilized person** - also in the face of disputes and heated disagreements. Speak your mind here, discussions are welcome. Just do so in the spirit of being face-to-face with everyone else. Thank you.
+First and foremost, there is one simple requirement for taking part in the development of this technology: While we primarily interact virtually, your actions matter and have real consequences. Therefore: **Act like a responsible, civilized person** - especially in the face of disputes and heated disagreements. Speak your mind here; discussions are welcome. Just do so in the spirit of being face-to-face with everyone else. Thank you.
 
-## Asking Questions
+In order to keep the discourse navigable and useful, the following types of posts and inquiries will be deleted and ignored:
 
-If you want to ask a question, **do not open an issue**. The issue tracker is used by people *working on Sideband* to track bugs, issues and improvements.
+- Spam.
+- Questions that have already been adequately answered elsewhere. Utilize search functions.
+- Low-effort posts or comments that contain no actual information or useful substance. [This is not a tea-house](./This%20Is%20Not%20a%20Teahouse.md).
+- Post or comments solely containing personal opinions or beliefs without adding anything to the discussion. Facebook and X exists.
+- Content that simply waste the developer's / maintainer's time with completely obvious "ideas", "insights" or "recommendations". Yes, we have *at least* 8 neurons ourselves.
+- Posts that fail to understand that developing a highly complex software project with a very small amount of resources and people takes time. Imagining perfection on our behalf is useless.
 
-Instead, ask away on the [discussions](https://github.com/markqvist/Reticulum/discussions) or on the [Reticulum Matrix channel](https://matrix.to/#/#reticulum:matrix.org) at `#reticulum:matrix.org`
+If you're new to the community and start out your engagement with any of the above transgressions, you will simply be banned permanently without notice or explanation, and any further communication from you will be ignored.
 
-## Providing Feedback & Ideas
+Except for the case of real, well-grounded, clearly documented, human-written security advisories, technical investigations or bug reports, if your inquiry or communication is not attached to a Reticulum Identity, expect it to be ignored.
 
-Likewise, feedback, ideas and feature requests are a very welcome way to contribute, and should also be posted on the [discussions](https://github.com/markqvist/Reticulum/discussions), or on the [Reticulum Matrix channel](https://matrix.to/#/#reticulum:matrix.org) at `#reticulum:matrix.org`.
+If you find this "harsh", "unfair" or "unwelcoming", go somewhere else. This is not social club, but a work environment for the people contributing to the project.
 
-Please do not post feature requests or general ideas on the issue tracker, or in direct messages to the primary developers. You are much more likely to get a response and start a constructive discussion by posting your ideas in the public channels created for these purposes.
+## Reporting Bugs
 
-## Reporting Issues
-
-If you have found a bug or issue in this project, please report it using the issue tracker. If at all possible, be sure to include details on how to reproduce the bug.
-
-Anything submitted to the issue tracker that does not follow these guidelines will be closed and removed without comments or explanation.
+If you have found a bug or issue in this project, please report it to the maintainer over LXMF, or if strictly not possible, over email. Detailed and serious bug reports can also be posted in the various on-network forums and RRC channels that the developers frequent. Due to the realities described in [This Is Not a Teahouse](./This%20Is%20Not%20a%20Teahouse.md), there is no way to report issues or request features over the internet.
 
 ## Writing Code
 
-If you are interested in contributing code, fixing open issues or adding features, please coordinate the effort with the maintainer or one of the main developers first, to ensure your efforts are in alignment with the [Roadmap](./Roadmap.md) and current development focus.
+Patches and code contributions are *generally* only welcomed from developers already known to the community, with a proven track-record of competence, skill, careful and considerate design and responsible conduct. If we do not know you yet, but you have created something that you believe lives up to such standards, we are eager to hear from you.
+
+Current development priorities and work documents are not publicly available on the internet, but shared and coordinated directly between the developers over Reticulum itself, following the principles outlined in [Distributed Development](https://reticulum.network/manual/distributed.html).
+
+## Commit Signing
+
+All commits in Reticulum and related projects **must** be signed with a Reticulum identity. If you want your author credentials to be included directly in the commit log, ensure that you have [configured commit signing](https://reticulum.network/manual/git.html#commit-signing). Bare patches submitted manually or fetched remote commits without signatures are still very welcome, but we will review, squash merge and sign with the key of the maintainer that approved the changes. Attribution will be provided in the commit message instead (unless you wish to remain anonymous).
+
+## Machine Assistance & LLMs
+
+For a highly complex, critical piece of cryptographically based networking infrastructure, we should not need to state the following, but alas, experience has proven otherwise. Therefore:
+
+**Including material generated using LLMs or other "AI" programs in Reticulum is, almost without exception, prohibited.**
+
+Before even *thinking* about using a generative software system to "create" something for Reticulum, read [Brandolini's Reference](https://reticulum.network/manual/brandolinis.html), in full. If you do not have the capacity for that, you have failed the first requirement for contributing: Basic literacy.
+
+*If* you are not already a known contributor with a proven record of being able to responsibly handle these tools, a **full** audit trail of all ML-utilizing workflows, including prompts, LLM reasoning traces, tool calls and outputs (that is, the *entire*, unaltered session log) will need to be provided with any proposed contribution. Without that, we will not even *consider* looking at it.
+
+This applies to all Reticulum-related projects and documentation, as well as all submitted issues, reports and discussion, **except** of course in cases where language translation, speech recogntion, or other assistive technologies are required.
+
+In **all** circumstances, clear disclosure is **mandatory**. Any piece of material, file, code snippet, method, function or similar that was generated with machine assistance must be prepended with a disclosure header or comment that states the framework, exact model used and reviewer, such as:
+
+```python
+# Generated with lc/deepseek_v4_flash_q8_k_xl
+# Reviewed and corrected by Mark Qvist
+```
+
+Additionally, any explanatory comments or doc-strings generated by software must be manually re-written in clear, concise language by the reviewer stated in the disclosure header.
+
+## Contributor License Agreement
+
+By contributing code to this project, you agree that copyright for the code is transferred to the Reticulum maintainers and that the code is irrevocably placed under the [Reticulum License](./LICENSE).
+
+For a more in-depth elaboration on the current CLA position, see [this post](https://rns.recipes/forum/general/brandolinis-reference-or-alternatively-agentsmd?page=1#post-3002).