Contribution guidelines

Math Woods should feel like an old map being filled in: rough paths, missing clearings, margin notes, better routes.

Do not wait for perfection.A clean problem, a stub concept, a source note, a partial proof, or a correction request can already help.

Make rough work visible

Mark unfinished material honestly. Use Needs work, stub statuses, talk pages, edit summaries, and reports. A rough page with clear uncertainty is useful.

Keep barriers low

Beginners should be able to add examples, ask for clarification, report copied wording, propose a better hint, or create a missing concept.

Write for verification

Cite reliable textbooks, papers, lecture notes, or established reference works when a claim needs support. If the source is uncertain, say so. Uncertainty is useful when it is visible.

Prefer clarity over completeness

A useful first version can be short. Add definitions, examples, counterexamples, proofs, and links when they are ready.

Make edits accountable

Use concise edit summaries. For disputed scope, terminology, or sources, discuss the change on the talk page before repeatedly rewriting it.

Use reports without making them scary

Reports are not only for emergencies. They can flag copied wording, questionable origins, wrong statements, spoilers, or pages that need attention.