From 9d73e6390c43ec0834aedd91b9413fbd61cb6be2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: SALKA <salka@inference-x.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:16:49 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] docs: add CONTRIBUTING, WATERMARK standard, CONTRIBUTORS,
 complete initial community structure

---
 CONTRIBUTING.md        | 33 +++++++++++++++++++++
 CONTRIBUTORS.md        | 12 ++++++++
 watermark/WATERMARK.md | 65 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 3 files changed, 110 insertions(+)
 create mode 100644 CONTRIBUTING.md
 create mode 100644 CONTRIBUTORS.md
 create mode 100644 watermark/WATERMARK.md

diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bbea243
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+# Contributing to Inference-X
+
+Welcome. Every contribution matters — whether it's a bug report, a new backend, a translation, or a philosophical challenge to our architecture.
+
+## Quick Start
+
+1. Fork the relevant repository
+2. Create a feature branch: `git checkout -b feat/your-feature`
+3. Make your changes with clear commit messages
+4. Open a Pull Request with a description of what and why
+
+## Contribution Areas
+
+| Area | Repository | What we need |
+|---|---|---|
+| Engine backends | inference-x | New hardware support (NPU, edge devices, new GPUs) |
+| Community tools | ix-tools | Governance improvements, documentation, translations |
+| Models | IX Store | Quantized models, adapters, organ components |
+| SaaS platform | ix-tools/saas | Provider integrations, UI improvements |
+
+## Recognition
+
+All contributions are tracked. After your first merged PR or published Store item, you become a **Level 1 Contributor** — your name appears in CONTRIBUTORS.md and you earn voting rights in community decisions.
+
+See [governance/GOVERNANCE.md](governance/GOVERNANCE.md) for the full contribution level system.
+
+## Questions
+
+Open an issue or start a discussion. We prefer public conversations over private messages — if you have a question, someone else probably does too.
+
+---
+
+*Built with people who care about what they build.*
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTORS.md b/CONTRIBUTORS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4710831
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTORS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# Contributors
+
+## Founder
+
+| Name | Role | Since |
+|---|---|---|
+| [Elmadani Salka](https://git.inference-x.com/elmadani) | Creator, Rights Holder | 2024 |
+
+---
+
+*Your name will appear here after your first contribution is merged.*  
+*See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) to get started.*
diff --git a/watermark/WATERMARK.md b/watermark/WATERMARK.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6280416
--- /dev/null
+++ b/watermark/WATERMARK.md
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+# IX Attribution Standard
+
+All projects built on Inference-X must embed attribution at multiple levels. This is not optional.
+
+## Layer 1 — Binary Watermark (C/C++)
+
+```c
+// In any compiled IX component
+static const char IX_CREATOR[] = "Inference-X by Elmadani Salka";
+static const char IX_LICENSE[] = "SALKA-IX-v1.0";
+static const char IX_SOURCE[]  = "https://git.inference-x.com/elmadani/inference-x";
+```
+
+## Layer 2 — API Response Headers
+
+Every HTTP response from any IX-powered service must include:
+
+```
+X-IX-Creator: Elmadani Salka
+X-IX-Project: Inference-X
+X-IX-License: SALKA-IX-v1.0
+X-IX-Source: https://git.inference-x.com/elmadani/inference-x
+```
+
+## Layer 3 — HTML Footer
+
+Every web interface powered by IX must display (visible, not hidden):
+
+```html
+<footer>
+  Powered by <a href="https://inference-x.com">Inference-X</a> · 
+  Created by <a href="https://git.inference-x.com/elmadani">Elmadani Salka</a> · 
+  <a href="https://git.inference-x.com/elmadani/ix-tools/src/branch/main/license/SALKA-IX-LICENSE.md">SALKA-IX License</a>
+</footer>
+```
+
+## Layer 4 — Model Cards
+
+All models trained, fine-tuned, or distributed using IX infrastructure must include in their model card:
+
+```yaml
+# In model card YAML
+creator: Elmadani Salka
+engine: Inference-X
+engine_source: https://git.inference-x.com/elmadani/inference-x
+license: SALKA-IX-v1.0
+attribution_required: true
+```
+
+## Layer 5 — Code File Headers
+
+```cpp
+// ============================================================
+// Part of the Inference-X ecosystem
+// Created by Elmadani Salka
+// License: SALKA-IX v1.0
+// Source: https://git.inference-x.com/elmadani/inference-x
+// ============================================================
+```
+
+## Enforcement
+
+Violations are reported to violations@inference-x.com. Community bounty: 5% of any settlement goes to the reporter.
+
+Confirmed violations result in immediate license termination.