diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index d538427..f45a0c9 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -8,10 +8,34 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/).
 ## [Unreleased]
 
 ### Added
-- Initial public release
-- `VideoReader` with explicit color space control (BT.709/BT.601, full/limited range)
-- `VideoWriter` with HDR10 support (HEVC 10-bit, BT.2020, PQ, mastering display metadata)
-- Lossless encoding support (FFV1 RGB, H.264 qp=0 with 4:4:4)
-- 10-bit SDR intermediates (HEVC Main10 with BT.709)
-- QuickTime/Safari HDR compatibility (hvc1 codec tag)
-- Example: `compare_readers` for comparing cvffmpeg vs OpenCV color handling
+- `VideoReader`: explicit color space control (BT.709/BT.601, full/limited range)
+- `VideoReader`: `readRef()` zero-copy frame access for performance-critical paths
+- `VideoReader`: bidirectional `seek()` using keyframe seeking
+- `VideoReader`: `getPixelFormat()` and `getCodecID()` accessors
+- `VideoWriter`: HDR10 support (HEVC 10-bit, BT.2020, PQ, mastering display metadata)
+- `VideoWriter`: configurable `HDR10Metadata` struct with `setHDR10Metadata()`
+- `VideoWriter`: `VideoWriterOptions` struct for cleaner `open()` calls
+- `VideoWriter`: lossless encoding (FFV1 RGB, H.264 qp=0 with 4:4:4)
+- `VideoWriter`: 10-bit SDR intermediates (HEVC Main10 with BT.709)
+- `VideoWriter`: QuickTime/Safari HDR compatibility (hvc1 codec tag)
+- Configurable log level system (`LogLevel::Quiet/Error/Warning/Info`)
+- Comprehensive test suite using Catch2
+- GitHub Actions CI for Linux and macOS
+- Examples: `compare_readers`, `basic_read`, `basic_write`, `hdr_write`
+
+### Fixed
+- Resource leaks in `VideoWriter::open()` error paths
+- `VideoWriter::open()` called twice now safely releases previous state
+- `sws_scale` return value checked in `VideoReader::read()`
+- Frame dimension validation in `VideoWriter::write()`
+- `VideoWriter` move constructor/assignment: added `noexcept`, `av_log_set_level`
+- Replaced deprecated `av_init_packet()` with `av_packet_alloc()`
+- `getFPS()` returns 0.0 instead of fabricating 30 FPS when metadata is missing
+- `getFrameCount()` documents that it returns -1 when unknown
+- Framerate validation in `VideoWriter::open()` rejects zero/negative values
+
+### Changed
+- Default log level is `Error` (library is silent during normal operation)
+- Minimum dependency versions enforced: OpenCV 4.0+, FFmpeg 4.2+
+- `VideoWriter` private members renamed to trailing underscore convention
+- Removed unused `frame_pts_cache_` from `VideoReader`
diff --git a/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md b/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e5712f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+# Contributor Covenant Code of Conduct
+
+## Our Pledge
+
+We as members, contributors, and leaders pledge to make participation in our
+community a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, body
+size, visible or invisible disability, ethnicity, sex characteristics, gender
+identity and expression, level of experience, education, socio-economic status,
+nationality, personal appearance, race, caste, color, religion, or sexual
+identity and orientation.
+
+## Our Standards
+
+Examples of behavior that contributes to a positive environment:
+
+* Using welcoming and inclusive language
+* Being respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences
+* Gracefully accepting constructive criticism
+* Focusing on what is best for the community
+* Showing empathy towards other community members
+
+Examples of unacceptable behavior:
+
+* The use of sexualized language or imagery, and sexual attention or advances of any kind
+* Trolling, insulting or derogatory comments, and personal or political attacks
+* Public or private harassment
+* Publishing others' private information without their explicit permission
+* Other conduct which could reasonably be considered inappropriate in a professional setting
+
+## Enforcement
+
+Instances of abusive, harassing, or otherwise unacceptable behavior may be
+reported to the project maintainers. All complaints will be reviewed and
+investigated and will result in a response that is deemed necessary and
+appropriate to the circumstances.
+
+## Attribution
+
+This Code of Conduct is adapted from the [Contributor Covenant](https://www.contributor-covenant.org/),
+version 2.1, available at
+https://www.contributor-covenant.org/version/2/1/code_of_conduct.html.
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 7cbc9d9..96825aa 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ ctest --output-on-failure
 
 - Use trailing underscores for private member variables (`width_`, `formatCtx_`).
 - Match the existing formatting (clang-format is not enforced yet, but keep it consistent).
-- Error messages go to `std::cerr` with a `cvffmpeg::ClassName:` prefix.
+- Log messages use `detail::log(LogLevel::Error/Warning/Info)` — never `std::cerr` directly.
 - Check return values from FFmpeg API calls.
 - Free resources on all error paths in `open()` methods.