diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 8875117..8955bff 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -1,20 +1,23 @@
-# Contributing
+# Contribution policy
 
-Coordinate substantial work with the NETfishing owners before beginning.
+The NETfishing Dedicated Server is an owner-directed Woofmeow project and does
+not accept unsolicited contributions. Do not submit pull requests, patches,
+code, documentation, packages, or other implementation work. Pull requests
+are disabled.
 
-By intentionally submitting material for inclusion, you agree to
-[`CONTRIBUTOR-TERMS.md`](CONTRIBUTOR-TERMS.md). Pull requests should include an
-affirmative statement such as:
+Issues remain available for reproducible bug reports and operational feedback.
+An Issue is not an invitation to provide implementation work.
 
-> I have read and agree to the repository’s contributor terms and have the
-> right to submit this contribution.
+[`CONTRIBUTOR-TERMS.md`](CONTRIBUTOR-TERMS.md) is retained for previously
+accepted work and any specific future work expressly invited in writing by the
+NETfishing owners. It is not a standing invitation to contribute.
 
 Keep changes focused, preserve the server’s security and update boundaries,
 and do not commit game binaries, packages, credentials, deployment secrets,
 logs, persistent identities, or machine-specific configuration.
 
-Before review, run the relevant script syntax and packaging checks, followed
-by:
+Maintainers should run the relevant script syntax and packaging checks,
+followed by:
 
 ```bash
 git diff --check
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTOR-TERMS.md b/CONTRIBUTOR-TERMS.md
index cf768ae..3138b4c 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTOR-TERMS.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTOR-TERMS.md
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 # NETfishing Dedicated Server contributor terms
 
-These terms apply to contributions intentionally submitted after their
-publication. They do not retroactively change ownership of earlier work or
-replace a separately signed agreement.
+This project does not accept unsolicited contributions. These terms are
+retained for contributions previously accepted after their publication and
+for specific future work expressly invited in writing by the NETfishing
+owners. They are not a request or standing invitation for submissions and do
+not retroactively change ownership of earlier work or replace a separately
+signed agreement.
 
 You retain copyright in your original contribution. By submitting it, you
 represent that you created it or otherwise have authority to grant these
@@ -22,8 +25,8 @@ Submitting a contribution does not create project ownership, employment,
 agency, partnership, fiduciary duties, or a right to compensation. A separate
 written agreement is required for any such arrangement.
 
-By intentionally submitting a patch or pull request after receiving notice of
-these terms, you agree to them. Maintainers should preserve that affirmative
-agreement in the pull request, issue, email, or another durable written
-record. If you cannot agree, do not submit the contribution; contact the
-owners to discuss separate terms.
+Posting, uploading, linking, or emailing unsolicited material does not make it
+an accepted contribution, and unsolicited material will not be reviewed. For
+work expressly invited in writing, delivering the requested material after
+receiving notice of these terms records agreement to them. Maintainers must
+retain the written invitation and affirmative agreement in a durable record.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b7eb37e..28fd90b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -184,7 +184,8 @@ main game's
 with the asset license and trademark terms beside that record. Every staged
 server package copies those files from its exact game source commit.
 
-Contributions are accepted under [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](CONTRIBUTING.md) and
-[`CONTRIBUTOR-TERMS.md`](CONTRIBUTOR-TERMS.md).
+Unsolicited contributions are not accepted; see
+[`CONTRIBUTING.md`](CONTRIBUTING.md). Historical and expressly invited work is
+governed by [`CONTRIBUTOR-TERMS.md`](CONTRIBUTOR-TERMS.md).
 
 Copyright © 2026 Woofmeow.