diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
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+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@
 
 We welcome open-source contributions! As middleware, this SDK is critical for the frontend developer experience.
 
+Before opening a PR, see the [Evaluation-Readiness Index](docs/evaluation-readiness-index.md),
+which links every payment, testing, CI, acceptance-criteria, self-assessment,
+reviewer, and communication doc from one page.
+
 ## Development Workflow
 1. **Fork & Clone:** Fork the repo and clone it locally.
 2. **Install Dependencies:** Run `npm install`.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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 ## Contributing
 We welcome contributions! Please check our [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for our branching strategy and code style guidelines.
 
+Before you start, see the [Evaluation-Readiness Index](docs/evaluation-readiness-index.md)
+for one central page linking every payment, testing, CI, acceptance-criteria,
+self-assessment, reviewer, and communication requirement.
+
 Before submitting a PR, follow our [Test-First Contribution Guide](docs/test-first-contribution-guide.md) to understand when tests are required, what type of tests are expected per module, and how to prove your change works correctly.
 
 ### Review Process
diff --git a/docs/evaluation-readiness-index.md b/docs/evaluation-readiness-index.md
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+# Evaluation-Readiness Index
+
+> **Applies to:** Aegis SDK (`@aegis/sdk`)
+> **Last updated:** 2026-07-29
+
+This page is the single starting point for everything a contributor needs to
+check before, during, and after a GrantFox payment evaluation period. Each
+section below links to the authoritative document for that topic instead of
+duplicating its content, so this index stays accurate as those docs change.
+
+## 1. Payment Expectations
+
+- [Contributor Payment Expectation Guide](contributor-payment-guide.md) —
+  how GrantFox evaluation and payment work, and how to maximize payout chance.
+- [Contributor Evaluation Policy](contributor-evaluation-policy.md) —
+  how merged contributions are evaluated under compensated programs.
+- [Payment-Period Conduct](payment-period-conduct.md) —
+  expected conduct during and after evaluation periods.
+
+## 2. Testing Standards
+
+- [Testing Utilities](testing.md) — the mock client and local test setup.
+- [Contributor Test Matrix](contributor-test-matrix.md) —
+  minimum useful test evidence by feature area.
+- [Test-First Contribution Guide](test-first-contribution-guide.md) —
+  when tests are required and what they must prove.
+- [Testing Evidence PR Requirement](testing-evidence-requirement.md) —
+  what testing evidence a PR description must include.
+
+## 3. CI Guidance
+
+- [CI Pass Requirements](ci-pass-requirements.md) —
+  required passing checks and how CI status affects evaluation.
+- [CI Failure Resolution Workflow](ci-resolution-workflow.md) —
+  reproducing and fixing CI failures locally.
+- [Failing CI Response Guide](ci-response-guide.md) —
+  diagnosing and resolving each type of CI failure.
+
+## 4. Acceptance Criteria Audit
+
+- [Acceptance Criteria Audit](acceptance-criteria-audit.md) —
+  the reusable template mapping each issue criterion to evidence.
+- [Acceptance Criteria Traceability Table](acceptance-criteria-traceability.md) —
+  the required table linking modules, tests, and docs to each criterion.
+
+## 5. Self-Assessment
+
+- [Self-Review Template](self-review-template.md) —
+  checklist to run against your own change before opening a PR.
+- [Issue Approval Readiness Checklist](issue-approval-readiness.md) —
+  what to confirm before marking an issue ready for evaluation.
+
+## 6. Reviewer Checklist
+
+- [Pull Request Reviewer Checklist](reviewer-checklist.md) —
+  the checklist maintainers use to approve and merge a PR.
+
+## 7. Communication Policy
+
+- [Payment-Period Communication Policy](payment-period-communication-policy.md) —
+  how and where to raise evaluation or payout questions.
+
+## Related References
+
+- [Pull Request Evidence Checklist](pr-evidence-checklist.md)
+- [Meaningful Implementation Checklist](meaningful-implementation-checklist.md)
+- [Meaningful Change Threshold Guide](meaningful-change-threshold.md)
+- [Low-Effort PR Examples & High-Quality Standards](low-effort-pr-examples.md)