diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index eb314a21..a6103ebe 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -286,4 +286,12 @@ When it comes to formatting, here's a model git commit message[1]:
 
 ---
 
+### Using `direnv`
+
+The team maintains an `.envrc.sample` file (see [direnv](https://direnv.net/)), that contributors may choose to copy or symlink to their local `.envrc` file.
+This provides some basic tooling and setup that is common to the team.
+For example, if `nix` is installed, the `flake.nix` and `rust-toolchain.toml` files are automatically watched for updates.
+
+_NOTE: It is suggested you do not use `source_env .envrc.sample` in your `.envrc` as [`direnv`'s security checks](https://direnv.net/man/direnv-stdlib.1.html#codesourceenv-ltfileordirpathgtcode) are not triggered when changes are made to `.envrc.sample`._
+
 [1]: http://tbaggery.com/2008/04/19/a-note-about-git-commit-messages.html
diff --git a/HACKING.md b/HACKING.md
index 7f8910b0..7a4e0963 100644
--- a/HACKING.md
+++ b/HACKING.md
@@ -185,3 +185,10 @@ OpenSSH tools to interact with them, eg. `ssh-add`.
 
 Your Radicle secret key is protected with a passphrase (See: `$RAD_PASSPHRASE`).
 
+## Using `direnv`
+
+The team maintains an `.envrc.sample` file (see [direnv](https://direnv.net/)), that contributors may choose to copy or symlink to their local `.envrc` file.
+This provides some basic tooling and setup that is common to the team.
+For example, if `nix` is installed, the `flake.nix` and `rust-toolchain.toml` files are automatically watched for updates.
+
+_NOTE: It is suggested you do not use `source_env .envrc.sample` in your `.envrc` as [`direnv`'s security checks](https://direnv.net/man/direnv-stdlib.1.html#codesourceenv-ltfileordirpathgtcode) are not triggered when changes are made to `.envrc.sample`._