Add CONTRIBUTING.md with project guidelines

This adds a comprehensive CONTRIBUTING.md file that includes:
- Setup instructions
- Development workflow
- TDD approach and testing guidelines
- Project structure overview
- Code style guidelines
- Information about special files (CLAUDE.md)
- PR guidelines
- License information

Closes #9

Author: austinlparker

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+# Contributing to OpenTelemetry Changelog
+
+Thank you for your interest in contributing to OpenTelemetry Changelog! This document provides guidelines and instructions for contributing to this project.
+
+## Code of Conduct
+
+This project follows the [OpenTelemetry Community Code of Conduct](https://github.com/open-telemetry/community/blob/main/code-of-conduct.md). By participating, you are expected to uphold this code.
+
+## Getting Started
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+- [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) (v18 or later)
+- npm (comes with Node.js)
+
+### Setting Up Development Environment
+
+1. Fork the repository on GitHub
+2. Clone your fork locally:
+   ```bash
+   git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/changelog.opentelemetry.io.git
+   cd changelog.opentelemetry.io
+   ```
+3. Add the upstream repository as a remote:
+   ```bash
+   git remote add upstream https://github.com/open-telemetry/changelog.opentelemetry.io.git
+   ```
+4. Install dependencies:
+   ```bash
+   npm install
+   ```
+5. Install Playwright browsers and dependencies for testing:
+   ```bash
+   npx playwright install --with-deps
+   ```
+
+### Development Workflow
+
+1. Create a new branch for your changes:
+   ```bash
+   git checkout -b your-branch-name
+   ```
+2. Start the development server:
+   ```bash
+   npm run dev
+   ```
+3. Make your changes
+
+4. Run linting to ensure code style consistency:
+   ```bash
+   npm run lint
+   ```
+5. Run tests:
+   ```bash
+   npm test
+   ```
+6. Commit your changes:
+   ```bash
+   git commit -m "Your descriptive commit message"
+   ```
+7. Push to your fork:
+   ```bash
+   git push origin your-branch-name
+   ```
+8. Create a pull request
+
+## Development Approach
+
+### Test-Driven Development (TDD)
+
+This project uses Test-Driven Development for implementing new features:
+
+1. **Write Tests First**: Begin by writing tests that define the expected behavior
+2. **Verify Test Failure**: Run tests to confirm they fail (since the feature isn't implemented yet)
+3. **Implement Feature**: Write the code to make the tests pass
+4. **Refactor**: Clean up the code while ensuring tests still pass
+
+### Visual Testing
+
+Visual regression testing is critical for this project:
+
+1. **Visual Tests**: Always create visual tests for UI components and layout changes
+2. **Multiple Viewports**: Test across different viewport sizes (mobile, tablet, desktop)
+3. **Dark Mode**: Test both light and dark modes where applicable
+
+### Testing Tools
+
+- **Playwright**: Used for end-to-end and visual regression testing
+- **Test Endpoint**: Use the `/api/test` endpoint in development mode for creating test entries (accessible via the Test Controls button)
+- **Test Data Attributes**: Add `data-testid` attributes to elements for reliable test selection
+
+## Project Structure
+
+- `/src/app`: Next.js app router pages and API routes
+- `/src/app/api`: API routes for webhook handling and testing
+- `/src/components`: React components
+- `/src/lib`: Utility functions and shared code
+- `/src/types`: TypeScript type definitions
+- `/tests`: Playwright tests
+
+## Code Style Guidelines
+
+### TypeScript
+
+- Use strict mode with `strictNullChecks` enabled
+- Define proper types for all variables, parameters, and return values
+- Avoid using `any` type; use proper TypeScript types instead
+
+### Imports
+
+- Use absolute imports with `@/` prefix for src directory
+  ```typescript
+  // Good
+  import { Component } from "@/components/component";
+  
+  // Avoid
+  import { Component } from "../../components/component";
+  ```
+
+### React Components
+
+- Use functional React components with TypeScript types
+- Props should be properly typed with interfaces
+- Use destructuring for props
+
+### Error Handling
+
+- Use try/catch with specific error types when possible
+- Log errors with appropriate context
+- Provide user-friendly error messages
+
+### Styling
+
+- Use Tailwind CSS with custom theme extensions
+- Follow the existing design system and color schemes
+- Ensure components are responsive and accessible
+
+## Special Files and Configurations
+
+### CLAUDE.md
+
+The `CLAUDE.md` file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with code in this repository. It contains:
+
+- Build commands
+- Development approach guidelines
+- Code style standards
+- Project structure information
+- Copyright header requirements
+
+This file helps ensure consistent development practices whether using AI assistance or not.
+
+### Copyright Headers
+
+All source files must include the following copyright header:
+
+```
+/*
+ * Copyright The OpenTelemetry Authors
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+```
+
+## Pull Request Guidelines
+
+1. Each PR should address a single issue
+2. Reference the issue number in the PR description with "Closes #X"
+3. Ensure all linting passes (`npm run lint`)
+4. Make sure all copyright headers are present
+5. Keep changes focused and minimal
+6. Include test coverage for new features or bug fixes
+7. Update documentation if necessary
+8. All tests must pass including visual regression tests
+
+## Release Process
+
+The OpenTelemetry Changelog website is automatically deployed through Netlify. When changes are merged to the main branch, they will be deployed to production after passing CI checks.
+
+## Getting Help
+
+If you have questions or need help with the contribution process:
+
+- [Open an issue](https://github.com/open-telemetry/changelog.opentelemetry.io/issues/new) with your question
+- Ask in the [OpenTelemetry Slack workspace](https://cloud-native.slack.com/archives/C01NFPCV44V) (#otel-ui-ux channel)
+
+## License
+
+By contributing to this project, you agree that your contributions will be licensed under the project's [Apache 2.0 License](./LICENSE).