diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 42655f50f3..8a1eb1cd5e 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -1,32 +1,32 @@
 Contributing to PLOTS2
 ==========================
 
-We welcome community contributions to PLOTS2! To install PLOTS2 locally, follow the instructions in the [README.md file](https://github.com/publiclab/plots2#installation).
+We welcome community contributions to PLOTS2! To install PLOTS2 locally, follow the instructions in the [README.md file]\([https://github.com/publiclab/plots2#installation](https://github.com/publiclab/plots2#installation)).
 
 We especially welcome contributions from people from groups underrepresented in free and open source software!
 
-Our community aspires to be a respectful place. Please read and abide by our [Code of Conduct](https://publiclab.org/conduct).
+Our community aspires to be a respectful place. Please read and abide by our [Code of Conduct]\([https://publiclab.org/conduct](https://publiclab.org/conduct)).
 
-## First Timers Welcome!
+## First Timers Welcome!**
 
 New to open source/free software? See our WELCOME PAGE, including a selection of issues we've made especially for first-timers. We're here to help, so just ask if one looks interesting:
 
-https://code.publiclab.org/#r=all
+[https://github.com/publiclab/plots2/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3Afirst-timers-only](https://github.com/publiclab/plots2/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3Afirst-timers-only)
 
 Thank you so much!
 
 Learn more about contributing to Public Lab code projects on these pages:
 
-* https://publiclab.org/developers
-* https://publiclab.org/contributing-to-public-lab-software
-* https://publiclab.org/soc
-* https://publiclab.org/wiki/developers
-* https://publiclab.org/wiki/gsoc-ideas
+\* [https://publiclab.org/developers](https://publiclab.org/developers)
+\* [https://publiclab.org/contributing-to-public-lab-software](https://publiclab.org/contributing-to-public-lab-software)
+\* [https://publiclab.org/soc](https://publiclab.org/soc)
+\* [https://publiclab.org/wiki/developers](https://publiclab.org/wiki/developers)
+\* [https://publiclab.org/wiki/gsoc-ideas](https://publiclab.org/wiki/gsoc-ideas)
 
-## Bug reports & troubleshooting
+## Bug reports & troubleshooting**
 
-If you are submitting a bug/issue , please go to https://github.com/publiclab/plots2/issues/new
+If you are submitting a bug/issue , please go to [https://github.com/publiclab/plots2/issues/new](https://github.com/publiclab/plots2/issues/new)
 
-Follow the [First Timers Issue Template](https://github.com/publiclab/plots2/blob/main/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/--first-timers-only.md) for submitting First Timers Only issues.
+Follow the [First Timers Issue Template]\([https://github.com/publiclab/plots2/blob/main/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/--first-timers-only.md](https://github.com/publiclab/plots2/blob/main/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/--first-timers-only.md)) for submitting First Timers Only issues.
 
-Follow this standard [Issue Template](https://github.com/publiclab/plots2/blob/main/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md) for other issues.
+Follow this standard [Issue Template]\([https://github.com/publiclab/plots2/blob/main/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md](https://github.com/publiclab/plots2/blob/main/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md)) for other issues.
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