docs(contributing): make issue-first with linked PRs the default flow

Every change starts with an issue; the pull request is opened early
against develop and linked with a closing keyword. The PR template now
carries a required Closes line and checklist item.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>

Author: Enes Yağız

.github/pull_request_template.md

@@ -4,7 +4,10 @@
 
 ## Why
 
-<!-- The problem it solves. Link the issue (Fixes #123) or name a package and versions that show it. -->
+Closes #
+
+<!-- Replace the number above with the issue this pull request closes. Every pull request links an
+     issue; if one does not exist yet, open it first. -->
 
 ## Changes
 
@@ -16,6 +19,7 @@
 
 ## Checklist
 
+- [ ] This pull request is linked to an issue (`Closes #NNN` above)
 - [ ] The pull request targets `develop` and is about one thing
 - [ ] Commit messages follow Conventional Commits (`feat(scope): ...`, `fix(scope): ...`)
 - [ ] CI is green (backend tests, frontend build and tests, dependency gate)

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -5,9 +5,12 @@ and pull requests are all welcome.
 
 ## Before you start
 
-- For a bug, open an issue with the registry, the package, the two versions and what you expected.
-- For a larger change, open an issue first so we can agree on the approach.
-- Security problems go through [SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md), not through an issue.
+Every change starts with an issue. Open one first — a bug, a registry quirk, a feature or a chore —
+using the matching issue template, so the work has a tracked rationale before any code is written.
+
+- For a bug, include the registry, the package, the two versions and what you expected.
+- For a feature or a larger change, describe the approach in the issue so we can agree on it first.
+- Security problems go through [SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md), never a public issue.
 
 ## Setting up
 
@@ -16,7 +19,13 @@ a PostgreSQL and Redis you can reach on `localhost`.
 
 ## Branches and pull requests
 
-- Branch from `develop` and open the pull request into `develop`. `master` only receives releases.
+We work issue-first, with the pull request opened alongside the issue rather than at the end:
+
+- Once an issue exists, branch from `develop` and open the pull request into `develop` early — a
+  draft is fine — so the work is visible while it is still in progress. `master` only receives
+  releases.
+- Link the pull request to its issue with a closing keyword (`Closes #123`) so merging the pull
+  request closes the issue. A pull request without a linked issue will be asked to add one.
 - Keep a pull request about one thing and fill in the pull request template, in English. CI
   (backend tests, frontend build and tests, dependency gate) must be green.
 - Commit messages follow Conventional Commits: `feat(scope): ...`, `fix(scope): ...`, `docs: ...`.