diff --git a/.corbits-triage.yaml b/.corbits-triage.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..248369577
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.corbits-triage.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+# Corbits Triage policy.
+checks:
+  max-files-changed:
+    enabled: true
+    maxFiles: 25
+  max-lines-changed:
+    enabled: true
+    maxLines: 2500
+  focused:
+    enabled: true
+  docs:
+    enabled: false
+  linked-issue:
+    enabled: true
+    tracker: either
+  no-merge-conflicts:
+    enabled: true
+  ci-green:
+    enabled: true
+  no-forbidden-paths:
+    enabled: true
+    forbiddenGlobs:
+      - node_modules/**
+custom: []
+actions:
+  when:
+    - opened
+    - updated
+    - checks
+    - ready
+  pass: []
+  fail: []
+  unsure: []
+labels:
+  pass: "Triage: Ready"
+  fail: "Triage: Not Ready"
+  unsure: "Triage: Needs Human Review"
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 87134bd38..4439cde78 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -197,14 +197,18 @@ Rules:
   under the Summary section (not a separate heading).
 - Scan for past-tense journey verbs (`was`, `added`, `fixed`, `refactored`,
   `I changed`) and rewrite to present-tense product statements.
-- When the work tracks an issue, end the body with a magic-word link (see
-  below). When it does not, omit the link line entirely — do not invent IDs.
+- End the body with a magic-word link to a Linear or GitHub issue (see
+  below). One of those magic words is required. Do not invent issue IDs.
 
 GitHub auto-fills this shape from `.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md`.
 
 ## Issue tracking (Linear and GitHub)
 
-Link trackers at the **PR boundary**, not inside every commit.
+Every pull request must reference a Linear issue or a GitHub issue. Link
+trackers at the **PR boundary**, not inside every commit. The pull-request body
+must include one of the magic words documented below (`Fixes`, `Refs`, or
+another closing or non-closing word in those lists). Do not invent issue IDs
+or a new issue-id format.
 
 ### When work tracks a Linear issue (MUST)
 
@@ -249,9 +253,11 @@ Same pattern in the PR body:
 Fixes #123
 ```
 
-### When there is no tracker
+### When there is no tracker yet
 
-Omit magic words. Do not invent issue IDs.
+Open a Linear or GitHub issue first, then reference it from the pull-request
+body with one of the magic words above. Do not omit the link, and do not
+invent issue IDs.
 
 ### At PR-open (SHOULD)