Update contribution guidelines to enforce pull request template

Emphasize the importance of using the pull request template and outline consequences for non-compliance.

.github/pull_request_template.md

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+<!--
+Copyright (C) 2026 SharpEmu Emulator Project
+SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
+-->
+
+## Before submitting
+
+Please read our contribution guidelines before opening a pull request:
+
+➡️ [**CONTRIBUTING.md**](CONTRIBUTING.md)
+
+By opening this pull request, you confirm that you have read and agree to follow the contribution guidelines.
+
+## Checklist
+By submitting this PR, you confirm that:
+
+- [ ] I have read `CONTRIBUTING.md`.
+- [ ] I tested my changes.
+- [ ] I wrote this description myself and did not copy AI-generated explanations.
+- [ ] I listed the game(s) I tested, if applicable.

.github/workflows/notify-site.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2026 SharpEmu Emulator Project
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
+
+# Tells the website repo to rebuild when a release is published, so
+# sharpemu.app/downloads lists the new build within a minute.
+name: Notify website
+
+on:
+  release:
+    types: [published, released, edited, deleted]
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+jobs:
+  dispatch:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Trigger sharpemu-site rebuild
+        env:
+          TOKEN: ${{ secrets.SITE_DISPATCH_TOKEN }}
+        run: |
+          if [ -z "$TOKEN" ]; then
+            echo "SITE_DISPATCH_TOKEN is not set — skipping website rebuild."
+            exit 0
+          fi
+          curl -fsS -X POST \
+            -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
+            -H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
+            -H "X-GitHub-Api-Version: 2022-11-28" \
+            https://api.github.com/repos/sharpemu/sharpemu-site/dispatches \
+            -d '{"event_type":"release-published"}'
+          echo "Website rebuild requested."

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@ SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
 
 # Contributing
 
+> [!IMPORTANT]
+> The pull request template is mandatory.
+>
+> Pull requests that do not follow the template or leave the required checklist incomplete will be closed without review, even if the proposed code is technically correct or beneficial. Please review these contribution guidelines before submitting a pull request.
+
 Contributions are always welcome!
 
 Before opening a pull request, please keep the following in mind:

Directory.Build.props

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
     <ImplicitUsings>enable</ImplicitUsings>
     <Nullable>enable</Nullable>
     <GenerateDocumentationFile>true</GenerateDocumentationFile>
-    <SharpEmuVersion>0.0.2</SharpEmuVersion>
+    <SharpEmuVersion>0.0.2-beta.2</SharpEmuVersion>
     <Version>$(SharpEmuVersion)</Version>
 
     <RepoRoot>$([MSBuild]::NormalizeDirectory('$(MSBuildThisFileDirectory)'))</RepoRoot>

scripts/RELEASE-USE.md

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+<!--
+Copyright (C) 2026 SharpEmu Emulator Project
+SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
+-->
+
+## Release Script
+
+SharpEmu releases are prepared and published using `scripts/release.py`.
+
+The release process consists of two steps:
+
+1. Prepare the version bump through a pull request.
+2. Create and push the release tag after the pull request has been merged.
+
+### Preparing a Release
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+python scripts/release.py prepare 0.0.2-beta.2
+```
+
+This command will:
+
+- Verify that the working tree is clean.
+- Update the local `main` branch.
+- Create a new branch named `release/0.0.2-beta.2`.
+- Update `SharpEmuVersion` in `Directory.Build.props`.
+- Create a version bump commit.
+- Push the release branch to the remote repository.
+
+Afterwards, open a pull request from:
+
+```text
+release/0.0.2-beta.2
+```
+
+into:
+
+```text
+main
+```
+
+### Publishing a Release
+
+Once the pull request has been merged, update your local repository:
+
+```bash
+git switch main
+git pull --ff-only
+```
+
+Then create and push the release tag:
+
+```bash
+python scripts/release.py tag 0.0.2-beta.2
+```
+
+This command will:
+
+- Verify that the working tree is clean.
+- Confirm that `Directory.Build.props` contains the requested version.
+- Create an annotated Git tag (`v0.0.2-beta.2`).
+- Push the tag to the remote repository.
+
+Pushing the tag automatically triggers the GitHub Release workflow.
+
+### Version Format
+
+Specify the version **without** the `v` prefix.
+
+Examples:
+
+```text
+0.0.2
+0.0.2-alpha.1
+0.0.2-beta.1
+0.0.2-beta.2
+0.0.2-rc.1
+```
+
+The script automatically prefixes the Git tag with `v`.
+
+### Notes
+
+- Run `prepare` only from the `main` branch.
+- Run `tag` only after the version bump pull request has been merged.
+- Do not create release tags manually before merging the version bump.
+- Both commands require a clean working tree.
+- The version in `Directory.Build.props` must exactly match the version passed to the `tag` command.