diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index e8b7d9827..f9d2304cb 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -10,8 +10,13 @@ Remember, bug reports are created in the hope that others with the same problem
 ## Core Development Discussion
 Informal discussion regarding bugs, new features, and implementation of existing features takes place in the ```#pixelfed-dev``` channel on the Freenode IRC network.
 
+## Branches
+If you want to contribute to this repository, please file your pull request against the `staging` branch. 
+
+Pixelfed Beta currently uses the `dev` branch for deployable code. When v1.0 is released, the stable branch will be changed to `master`, with `dev` branch being used for development and testing.
+
 ## Compiled Assets
 If you are submitting a change that will affect a compiled file, such as most of the files in ```resources/assets/sass``` or ```resources/assets/js``` of the pixelfed/pixelfed repository, do not commit the compiled files. Due to their large size, they cannot realistically be reviewed by a maintainer. This could be exploited as a way to inject malicious code into Pixelfed. In order to defensively prevent this, all compiled files will be generated and committed by Pixelfed maintainers.
 
 ## Security Vulnerabilities
-If you discover a security vulnerability within Pixelfed, please send an email to Daniel Supernault at hello@pixelfed.org. All security vulnerabilities will be promptly addressed.
\ No newline at end of file
+If you discover a security vulnerability within Pixelfed, please send an email to Daniel Supernault at hello@pixelfed.org. All security vulnerabilities will be promptly addressed.