diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
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+# ⚠️ Important: Check Your Base Branch
+
+**This PR should target `fork-main`, not `main`.**
+
+- ✅ **`fork-main`** ← Active development branch (use this!)
+- ❌ **`main`** ← Auto-synced upstream mirror (locked, do not use)
+
+If you accidentally selected `main` as the base branch, change it using the dropdown above before submitting.
+
+---
+
+## Why?
+
+[Brief description of the problem or opportunity this PR addresses]
+
+## How?
+
+[High-level approach and key implementation decisions]
+
+## Test Plan
+
+[How to verify the changes work as expected]
+
+---
+
+📚 **New to this fork?** Read [FORK.md](../FORK.md) to understand our branch strategy.
diff --git a/FORK.md b/FORK.md
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+# Intercom Fork - Branch Strategy
+
+This is an Intercom fork of [open-telemetry/opentelemetry-ruby-contrib](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-ruby-contrib).
+
+## Branch Model
+
+We maintain two main branches:
+
+### `main` - Upstream Mirror
+- **Purpose**: Clean mirror of the upstream `open-telemetry/opentelemetry-ruby-contrib` main branch
+- **Updates**: Automatically synced weekly via GitHub Actions ([workflow](https://github.com/intercom/intercom/blob/master/.github/workflows/sync-org-forks.yml))
+- **Policy**: Never commit directly to this branch. It should always fast-forward to match upstream.
+
+### `fork-main` - Active Development Branch
+- **Purpose**: Contains Intercom-specific changes and contributions pending upstream acceptance
+- **Usage**: This is the branch referenced in the Intercom monolith's Gemfile
+- **Updates**: Periodically merge `main` into `fork-main` to pull in upstream changes
+
+## Workflow
+
+### Adding New Features or Fixes
+
+1. **Create PR to upstream**: Submit your changes to `open-telemetry/opentelemetry-ruby-contrib`
+2. **Fast-track in fork**: Add the same changes to `fork-main` so Intercom can use them immediately
+3. **When upstream merges**:
+   - The weekly sync automatically pulls changes into `main`
+   - Merge `main` into `fork-main` to reconcile
+   - Your commit from step 2 stays in history, but the upstream version becomes canonical
+
+### Syncing with Upstream
+
+```bash
+# Fetch latest from both branches
+git fetch origin main fork-main
+
+# Merge upstream changes into fork-main
+git checkout fork-main
+git merge origin/main
+
+# Push the merged changes
+git push origin fork-main
+```
+
+### When Upstream Accepts Your PR
+
+Once your PR is merged upstream and synced to `main`, the changes exist in both branches. You can optionally:
+- Keep the merge commit history as-is (simplest)
+- Rebase `fork-main` to remove redundant commits (advanced, requires force-push)
+
+## Why This Model?
+
+This "fast-track" pattern allows us to:
+- ✅ Use features immediately without waiting for upstream review cycles
+- ✅ Maintain automated weekly syncs (no divergence issues)
+- ✅ Contribute back to open source (all changes are intended for upstream)
+- ✅ Keep clear separation between upstream mirror and active development
+
+## Questions?
+
+For questions about this fork or the branch strategy, ask in #builder-tools or consult the [sync workflow documentation](https://github.com/intercom/intercom/blob/master/.github/workflows/sync-org-forks.md).