diff --git a/BEST-PRACTICES.md b/BEST-PRACTICES.md
index 0ea0f0982..062143b0c 100644
--- a/BEST-PRACTICES.md
+++ b/BEST-PRACTICES.md
@@ -2,13 +2,13 @@
 
 We're glad you're considering contributing to SUSHI! Below are a few best practices that we recommend for all contributions.
 
-## Before contributing
+## Before Contributing
 
-Before contributing a feature or a bugfix, we recommend creating a GitHub issue if one does not exist. This allows the community to provide feedback on why an issue may be occurring or provide additional insight into a suggested feature. See the [Contribution Policy](CONTRIBUTING.md#issues) to learn more about creating issues.
+Before contributing a feature or a bugfix, we recommend creating a GitHub issue if one does not exist. This allows the community to provide feedback on why an issue may be occurring or provide additional insight into a suggested feature. See the [Contribution Policy](CONTRIBUTING.md#issues) to learn more about creating issues. It may also be useful, but is not required, to start a Zulip conversation around the feature or bug. See the [Contribution Policy](CONTRIBUTING.md#zulip) to learn more about Zulip.
 
 If a GitHub issue already exists for what you are planning to contribute, we recommend commenting on the issue to indicate that you are working on an implementation to avoid duplication of work.
 
-## Coding practices
+## Coding Practices
 
 We recommend the following coding practices for high quality contributions:
 
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 92ab23573..2f221d126 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ Before starting a new conversation, please check for earlier discussions on a si
 
 When starting a new conversation, please use a descriptive topic and include as much detail as possible.
 
+If you are looking for feedback or discussion around an issue, we recommend using Zulip. The FSH community is active on Zulip, and it is the best place to have in-depth discussions and ask questions about the FSH tooling. If the discussion on Zulip determines that a change is required in SUSHI, you should create a GitHub issue to track it. The GitHub issue should include a link to the relevant Zulip discussion thread, and it is best practice to provide a link to the GitHub issue on the Zulip thread. While Zulip is very useful for discussion, GitHub issues are the system of record for changes to SUSHI.
+
 ## Code Contributions
 
 If you are planning to work on a reported bug, suggestion, or feature request, please comment on the relevant issue to indicate your intent to work on it.