diff --git a/docs/developer/README.md b/docs/developer/README.md
index d0a8be136..d293abf5b 100644
--- a/docs/developer/README.md
+++ b/docs/developer/README.md
@@ -398,3 +398,11 @@ This function is triggered by the post_save event on the User model, designed to
 1. For New Users: Upon the creation of a new user, it checks for an existing `Contact` by email. If no matching contact is found, it creates a new Contact using the user's details from Login.gov. If a matching contact is found, it associates this contact with the user. In cases where multiple contacts with the same email exist, it logs a warning and associates the first contact found.
 
 2. For Existing Users: For users logging in subsequent times, the function ensures that any updates from Login.gov are applied to the associated User record. However, it does not alter any existing Contact records.
+
+## Rules of use
+
+When using signals, try to adhere to these guidelines:
+1. Document its usage in this readme (or another centralized location), as well as briefly on the underlying class it is associated with. For instance, since the `handle_profile` directly affects the class `Contact`, the class description notes this and links to [signals.py](../../src/registrar/signals.py).
+2. Where possible, avoid chaining signals together (i.e. a signal that calls a signal). If this has to be done, clearly document the flow.
+3. Minimize logic complexity within the signal as much as possible.
+4. Don't use signals when you can use another method, such as an override of `save()` or `__init__`.   
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