diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 03993b9ff08..3233e481c7d 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -3,3 +3,14 @@
 Contributing documentation has moved to the **[Cargo Contributor Guide]**.
 
 [Cargo Contributor Guide]: https://rust-lang.github.io/cargo/contrib/
+
+## Before hacking on Cargo
+
+We encourage people to discuss their design before hacking on code. Typically,
+you [file an issue] or start a thread on the [internals forum] before submitting
+a pull request. Please read [the process] of how features and bugs are managed
+in Cargo.
+
+[internals forum]: https://internals.rust-lang.org/c/tools-and-infrastructure/cargo
+[file an issue]: https://github.com/rust-lang/cargo/issues
+[the process]: https://doc.crates.io/contrib/process/index.html
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e8259d89952..3db983d37ac 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,7 +2,12 @@
 
 Cargo downloads your Rust project’s dependencies and compiles your project.
 
-Learn more at https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/
+**To start using Cargo**, learn more at [The Cargo Book].
+
+**To start developing Cargo itself**, read the [Cargo Contributor Guide].
+
+[The Cargo Book]: https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/
+[Cargo Contributor Guide]: https://rust-lang.github.io/cargo/contrib/
 
 ## Code Status
 
@@ -69,8 +74,6 @@ Please report all issues on the GitHub [issue tracker][issues].
 See the **[Cargo Contributor Guide]** for a complete introduction
 to contributing to Cargo.
 
-[Cargo Contributor Guide]: https://rust-lang.github.io/cargo/contrib/
-
 ## License
 
 Cargo is primarily distributed under the terms of both the MIT license
diff --git a/src/doc/contrib/src/process/working-on-cargo.md b/src/doc/contrib/src/process/working-on-cargo.md
index b2e002bc464..b4dc37bb198 100644
--- a/src/doc/contrib/src/process/working-on-cargo.md
+++ b/src/doc/contrib/src/process/working-on-cargo.md
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 This chapter gives an overview of how to build Cargo, make a change, and
 submit a Pull Request.
 
+0. [Before hacking on Cargo.](#before-hacking-on-cargo)
 1. [Check out the Cargo source.](#checkout-out-the-source)
 2. [Building Cargo.](#building-cargo)
 3. [Making a change.](#making-a-change)
@@ -10,6 +11,15 @@ submit a Pull Request.
 5. [Submitting a Pull Request.](#submitting-a-pull-request)
 6. [The merging process.](#the-merging-process)
 
+## Before hacking on Cargo
+
+We encourage people to discuss their design before hacking on code. This gives
+the Cargo team a chance to know your idea more. Sometimes after a discussion,
+we even find a way to solve the problem without coding! Typically, you
+[file an issue] or start a thread on the [internals forum] before submitting a
+pull request. Please read [the process] of how features and bugs are managed in
+Cargo.
+
 ## Checkout out the source
 
 We use the "fork and pull" model [described here][development-models], where
@@ -143,3 +153,6 @@ more information on how Cargo releases are made.
 [homu-cargo]: https://buildbot2.rust-lang.org/homu/queue/cargo
 [homu-rust]: https://buildbot2.rust-lang.org/homu/queue/rust
 [release chapter]: release.md
+[internals forum]: https://internals.rust-lang.org/c/tools-and-infrastructure/cargo
+[file an issue]: https://github.com/rust-lang/cargo/issues
+[the process]: index.md