docs: add contributor onboarding guide

README.md

@@ -176,3 +176,4 @@ A2UI is an **Apache 2.0** licensed project. We believe the future of UI is agent
 and we want to work with you to help build it.
 
 See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for details on how to get started.
+New here? Start with the [Contributor Onboarding](docs/guides/onboarding.md) guide.

docs/guides/onboarding.md

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+# Contributor Onboarding
+
+This guide helps first-time contributors, students, and hackathon teams get from zero to their first PR.
+
+## 1. Pick a path (15-30 minutes)
+
+- **Run the demo**: Follow the [Quickstart](../quickstart.md) to see A2UI end-to-end.
+- **Build a renderer**: Start with [Client Setup](client-setup.md).
+- **Build an agent**: See [Agent Development](agent-development.md).
+- **Docs-only contribution**: Update guides, fix typos, or add examples (lowest risk).
+
+## 2. Prerequisites
+
+- **Node.js** v18+
+- **Python** 3.10+ (only for agent demos)
+- **uv** (Python package manager) for agent demos
+- **Gemini API key** (only required for agent demos)
+
+If you only want to contribute docs, you do not need Python or an API key.
+
+## 3. Run something locally (fast path)
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/google/A2UI.git
+cd A2UI
+```
+
+Then follow the [Quickstart](../quickstart.md) for the one-command demo.
+
+## 4. Find a starter task
+
+Good places to start:
+
+- [good first issue](https://github.com/google/A2UI/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3A%22good+first+issue%22)
+- [documentation](https://github.com/google/A2UI/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3Adocumentation)
+- [help wanted](https://github.com/google/A2UI/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3A%22help+wanted%22)
+
+If you are new, docs issues are the quickest way to get a PR merged.
+
+## 5. Make a change
+
+```bash
+git checkout -b your-branch-name
+# edit files
+```
+
+- Keep changes small and focused.
+- If you touched code, run the relevant tests.
+- For docs-only changes, a quick review is usually enough.
+
+## 6. Open a PR
+
+Before opening a PR, sign the [Google CLA](https://cla.developers.google.com/about).
+
+Then open a PR against `main` and include:
+
+- A short summary of what changed
+- A link to the issue (if there is one)
+- Any test results (or note "docs-only")
+
+See [CONTRIBUTING.md](../../CONTRIBUTING.md) for full details.
+
+## 7. After you open the PR
+
+- Respond to review comments
+- Keep the PR focused; follow-up changes can be new PRs
+- If CI fails, push a fix and re-run checks

docs/index.md

@@ -89,6 +89,14 @@ and [transports](concepts/transports.md) (A2A, etc.) which communicate A2UI mess
 
     [:octicons-arrow-right-24: Learn concepts](concepts/overview.md)
 
+- :material-account-group:{ .lg .middle } **[Contributor Onboarding](guides/onboarding.md)**
+
+    ---
+
+    A short, practical path for first-time contributors, students, and hackathon teams.
+
+    [:octicons-arrow-right-24: Start contributing](guides/onboarding.md)
+
 - :material-code-braces:{ .lg .middle } **[Developer Guides](guides/client-setup.md)**
 
     ---

mkdocs.yaml

@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ nav:
       - Transports: concepts/transports.md
       - Client-to-Server Actions: concepts/client_to_server_actions.md
   - Guides:
+      - Contributor Onboarding: guides/onboarding.md
       - Client Setup: guides/client-setup.md
       - Agent Development: guides/agent-development.md
       - Renderer Development: guides/renderer-development.md