diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 0e0930e46..b6f303384 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -3,6 +3,12 @@
 Pull requests are welcome. Keep them focused, understand the work you submit,
 and be prepared to explain and maintain it.
 
+> [!NOTE]
+> Pull requests are **temporarily open to everyone** as a trial. We previously
+> required a vouch before accepting PRs; that requirement is lifted for now
+> while we evaluate how open contributions go. Depending on the results, the
+> vouch system may return.
+
 ## Before you start
 
 ### Small changes
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a95d22f32..5aa48c17e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -592,7 +592,10 @@ For architecture and contribution guidelines, see [packages/coding-agent/DEVELOP
 
 ## Contributing
 
-Issues and pull requests are open to everyone. See **[CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md)** for guidelines on contributing.
+Issues and pull requests are open to everyone. Open PRs are currently a
+**trial** — the previous vouch requirement is lifted while we evaluate how it
+goes, and it may return. See **[CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md)** for
+guidelines on contributing.
 
 ---