diff --git a/COLLABORATOR_GUIDE.md b/COLLABORATOR_GUIDE.md
index 32533304fecc67..b80e1d5db02f7d 100644
--- a/COLLABORATOR_GUIDE.md
+++ b/COLLABORATOR_GUIDE.md
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ information regarding the change process:
   for an issue, and/or the hash and commit message if the commit fixes
   a bug in a previous commit. Multiple `Fixes:` lines may be added if
   appropriate.
+- A `Refs:` line referencing a URL for any relevant background.
 - A `Reviewed-By: Name <email>` line for yourself and any
   other Collaborators who have reviewed the change.
   - Useful for @mentions / contact list if something goes wrong in the PR.
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 6d419aa4954fde..c60eeb1c6e3040 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -136,10 +136,13 @@ Check the output of `git log --oneline files_that_you_changed` to find out
 what subsystem (or subsystems) your changes touch.
 
 If your patch fixes an open issue, you can add a reference to it at the end
-of the log. Use the `Fixes:` prefix and the full issue URL. For example:
+of the log. Use the `Fixes:` prefix and the full issue URL. For other references
+use `Refs:`. For example:
 
 ```txt
 Fixes: https://github.com/nodejs/node/issues/1337
+Refs: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/space-in-parens.html
+Refs: https://github.com/nodejs/node/pull/3615
 ```
 
 ### Step 4: Rebase