diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 4dff89c80c..6a9e417fba 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -48,9 +48,9 @@ This repository uses the following tooling. See below for more info.
 
 ### Adding a new component
 
-1. Write a spec describing the API and behavior of the component. See instructions for [component specs](/specs/README.md).
-2. Ensure UX specs are up to date and tokens are generated. See instructions for [contributing to Nimble Tokens](/packages/nimble-tokens/CONTRIBUTING.md).
-3. Expose any tokens in the token provider and add web component logic. See instructions for [contributing to Nimble Components](/packages/nimble-components/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+1. Follow the instructions in [component specs](/specs/README.md) to approve the direction and create specs for interaction design, visual design, and implementation.
+2. Ensure base tokens and icons are available. See instructions for [contributing to Nimble Tokens](/packages/nimble-tokens/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+3. Build the web component, including adding theme-aware tokens, documentation, and component logic. See instructions for [contributing to Nimble Components](/packages/nimble-components/CONTRIBUTING.md).
 4. Add wrappers for each framework. See instructions for [adding Angular wrappers](/packages/angular-workspace/nimble-angular/CONTRIBUTING.md). See instructions for [adding Blazor wrappers](/packages/blazor-workspace/NimbleBlazor/CONTRIBUTING.md).
 5. Publish and use! 🎉