diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 4dbb69357..d42d4237c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           python3 -m pip install sphinx
           python3 -m pip install --verbose .
-          ./make-docs.sh
+          ./scripts/make-docs.sh
 
   check-submodules:
     runs-on: ubuntu-20.04 # latest
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docs.yml b/.github/workflows/docs.yml
index 169627307..0760dd33f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docs.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docs.yml
@@ -22,13 +22,13 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           python3 -m pip install sphinx
           python3 -m pip install --verbose .
-          ./make-docs.sh
+          ./scripts/make-docs.sh
 
       - name: Commit
         run: |
           git config --local user.email "action@github.com"
           git config --local user.name "GitHub Action"
-          git add --force docs/
+          git add --force docs/api
           git commit --message="update docs"
 
       - name: Push to docs branch
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index bbc5d5bce..857aa76f0 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -129,9 +129,6 @@ instance/
 # Scrapy stuff:
 .scrapy
 
-# Sphinx documentation
-docs/_build/
-
 # PyBuilder
 target/
 
@@ -185,7 +182,6 @@ dmypy.json
 [Ll]ib
 [Ll]ib64
 [Ll]ocal
-[Ss]cripts
 pyvenv.cfg
 pip-selfcheck.json
 
@@ -533,5 +529,5 @@ ASALocalRun/
 # deps from build-deps.sh
 deps/
 
-# docs are updated automatically by .github/workflows/docs.yml
-docs/
+# API docs are updated automatically by .github/workflows/docs.yml
+docs/api
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8974274b3..71aef7abd 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@
 
 Python 3 bindings for the AWS Common Runtime.
 
-API documentation: https://awslabs.github.io/aws-crt-python/
+*   [API documentation](https://awslabs.github.io/aws-crt-python/)
+*   [Development guide](docs/dev/README.md) for contributors to aws-crt-python's source code.
 
 ## License
 
@@ -37,45 +38,3 @@ Please note that on Mac, once a private key is used with a certificate, that cer
 ```
 static: certificate has an existing certificate-key pair that was previously imported into the Keychain. Using key from Keychain instead of the one provided.
 ```
-
-## Running tests
-
-After install, run from project root:
-```bash
-python3 -m unittest discover --failfast --verbose
-```
-
-`--failfast` stops after one failed test.
-This is useful because a failed test is likely to leak memory,
-which will cause the rest of the tests to fail as well.
-
-`--verbose` makes it easier to see which tests are skipped.
-
-Many tests require an AWS account. These tests are skipped unless
-specific environment variables are set:
-
-MQTT
-* AWS_TEST_IOT_MQTT_ENDPOINT - AWS account-specific endpoint to connect to IoT core by
-* AWS_TEST_TLS_CERT_PATH - file path to certificate used to initialize the TLS context of the MQTT connection
-* AWS_TEST_TLS_KEY_PATH - file path to the private key used to initialize the TLS context of the MQTT connection
-* AWS_TEST_TLS_ROOT_CERT_PATH - file path to the root CA used to initialize the TLS context of the MQTT connection
-
-PKCS11
-* AWS_TEST_PKCS11_LIB - path to PKCS#11 library
-* AWS_TEST_PKCS11_PIN - user PIN for logging into PKCS#11 token
-* AWS_TEST_PKCS11_TOKEN_LABEL - label of PKCS#11 token
-* AWS_TEST_PKCS11_KEY_LABEL - label of private key on PKCS#11 token,
-  which must correspond to the cert at AWS_TEST_TLS_CERT_PATH.
-
-PROXY
-* AWS_TEST_HTTP_PROXY_HOST - host address of the proxy to use for tests that make open connections to the proxy
-* AWS_TEST_HTTP_PROXY_PORT - port to use for tests that make open connections to the proxy
-* AWS_TEST_HTTPS_PROXY_HOST - host address of the proxy to use for tests that make TLS-protected connections to the proxy
-* AWS_TEST_HTTPS_PROXY_PORT - port to use for tests that make TLS-protected connections to the proxy
-* AWS_TEST_HTTP_PROXY_BASIC_HOST - host address of the proxy to use for tests that make open connections to the proxy with basic authentication
-* AWS_TEST_HTTP_PROXY_BASIC_PORT - port to use for tests that make open connections to the proxy with basic authentication
-* AWS_TEST_BASIC_AUTH_USERNAME - username to use when using basic authentication to the proxy
-* AWS_TEST_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD - password to use when using basic authentication to the proxy
-
-S3
-* AWS_TEST_S3 - set to any value to enable S3 tests
diff --git a/docs/README.md b/docs/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3f6bc3489
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+# AWS Common Runtime (CRT) for Python: Documentation
+## CRT Usage
+- [General information](../README.md) (installation, etc)
+- [API documentation](https://awslabs.github.io/aws-crt-python/)
+## CRT Development
+- [Development guide](dev/README.md) for contributors to aws-crt-python's source code.
diff --git a/docs/dev/README.md b/docs/dev/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..67a525436
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/dev/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,245 @@
+# Development guide for aws-crt-python
+
+This guide is for contributors to aws-crt-python's source code.
+Familiarity (but not necessarily expertise) with Python and C is assumed.
+
+### Table of Contents
+
+*   [Git](#git)
+*   [Set up a Virtual Environment](#set-up-a-virtual-environment)
+*   [Install](#install)
+*   [Run Tests](#run-tests)
+    *   [Environment Variables for Tests](#environment-variables-for-tests)
+*   [Using an IDE](#using-an-ide)
+    *   [Visual Studio Code](#using-visual-studio-code-vscode)
+        *   [Debugging Python](#debugging-python-with-vscode)
+        *   [Debugging C](#debugging-c-with-vscode)
+
+## Git
+
+Clone to a development folder:
+```sh
+$ git clone git@github.com:awslabs/aws-crt-python.git
+$ cd aws-crt-python
+$ git submodule update --init
+```
+
+Note that you MUST manually update submodules any time you pull latest, or change branches:
+```sh
+$ git submodule update
+```
+
+## CMake
+
+CMake 3 is required to compile the C submodules. To install:
+
+*   On Mac, using homebrew:
+    ```sh
+    $ brew install cmake
+    ```
+* On Linux: use your system's package manager (apt, yum, etc).
+* On Windows: [download and install](https://cmake.org/download/)
+
+## Set up a Virtual Environment
+
+Set up a [virtual environment](https://docs.python.org/3/library/venv.html)
+for development. This guide suggests `aws-crt-python/.venv/` as a default location.
+Create a virtual environment like so:
+```sh
+$ python3 -m venv .venv/
+```
+
+To activate the virtual environment in your current terminal:
+*   On Mac or Linux:
+    ```sh
+    $ source .venv/bin/activate
+    ```
+*   In Windows PowerShell:
+    ```pwsh
+    > .venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
+    ```
+*   In Windows Command Prompt:
+    ```bat
+    > .venv\Scripts\Activate.bat
+    ```
+
+Your terminal looks something like this when the virtual environment is active:
+```
+(.venv) $
+```
+Now any time you type `python3` or `pip` or even `python`, you are using the
+one from your virtual environment.
+To stop using the virtual environment, run `deactivate`.
+
+## Install
+
+Ensure your tools are up to date:
+```sh
+(.venv) $ python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools
+```
+
+Install dev dependencies:
+```sh
+(.venv) $ python3 -m pip install --requirement requirements-dev.txt
+```
+
+Install aws-crt-python (helper script `python3 scripts/install-dev.py` does this):
+```sh
+(.venv) $ python3 -m pip install --verbose --editable .
+```
+
+You must re-run this command any time the C source code changes.
+But you don't need to re-run it if .py files change
+(thanks to the `--editable` aka "develop mode" flag)
+
+Note that this takes about twice as long on Mac, which compiles C for both `x86_64` and `arm64`.
+(TODO: in develop mode, for productivity's sake, only compile C for one architecture,
+and ignore resulting warnings from the linker)
+
+## Run Tests
+
+To run all tests:
+```sh
+(.venv) $ python3 -m unittest discover --failfast --verbose
+```
+
+`discover` automatically finds all tests to run
+
+`--failfast` stops after one failed test.
+This is useful because a failed test is likely to leak memory,
+which will cause the rest of the tests to fail as well.
+
+`--verbose` makes it easier to see which tests are skipped.
+
+To run specific tests, specify a path. For example:
+```sh
+(.venv) $ python3 -m unittest --failfast --verbose test.test_http_client.TestClient.test_connect_http
+```
+
+More path examples:
+*   `test` - everything under `test/` folder
+*   `test.test_http_client` - every test in `test_http_client.py`
+*   `test.test_http_client.TestClient` - every test in `TestClient` class
+*   `test.test_http_client.TestClient.test_connect_http` - A single test
+
+When creating new tests, note that the names of test files and test functions must be prefixed with `test_`.
+
+### Environment Variables for Tests
+Many tests require an AWS account. These tests are skipped unless
+specific environment variables are set:
+
+*   MQTT Tests
+    *   `AWS_TEST_IOT_MQTT_ENDPOINT` - AWS IoT Core endpoint. This is specific to your account.
+    *   `AWS_TEST_TLS_CERT_PATH` - file path to the certificate used to initialize the TLS context of the MQTT connection
+    *   `AWS_TEST_TLS_KEY_PATH` - file path to the private key used to initialize the TLS context of the MQTT connection
+    *   `AWS_TEST_TLS_ROOT_CERT_PATH` - file path to the root CA used to initialize the TLS context of the MQTT connection
+*   PKCS#11 Tests
+    *   `AWS_TEST_PKCS11_LIB` - path to PKCS#11 library
+    *   `AWS_TEST_PKCS11_PIN` - user PIN for logging into PKCS#11 token
+    *   `AWS_TEST_PKCS11_TOKEN_LABEL` - label of PKCS#11 token
+    *   `AWS_TEST_PKCS11_KEY_LABEL` - label of private key on PKCS#11 token, which must correspond to the cert at `AWS_TEST_TLS_CERT_PATH`.
+*   Proxy Tests
+    * TLS-protected connections to the proxy
+        *   `AWS_TEST_HTTPS_PROXY_HOST` - proxy host address
+        *   `AWS_TEST_HTTPS_PROXY_PORT` - proxy port
+    * Open connections to the proxy
+        *   `AWS_TEST_HTTP_PROXY_HOST` - proxy host address
+        *   `AWS_TEST_HTTP_PROXY_PORT` - port port
+    * Open connections to the proxy, with basic authentication
+        *   `AWS_TEST_HTTP_PROXY_BASIC_HOST` - proxy host address
+        *   `AWS_TEST_HTTP_PROXY_BASIC_PORT` - proxy port
+        *   `AWS_TEST_BASIC_AUTH_USERNAME` - username
+        *   `AWS_TEST_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD` - password
+*   S3 Tests
+    *   `AWS_TEST_S3` - set to any value to enable S3 tests.
+        *   **Unfortunately, at this time these tests can only be run by members of the
+            Common Runtime team, due to hardcoded paths.**
+        *   TODO: alter tests so anyone can run them.
+
+## Code Formatting
+
+We use automatic code formatters in this project and pull requests will fail unless
+the code is formatted correctly.
+
+`autopep8` is used for python code. You installed this earlier via `requirements-dev.txt`.
+
+For C code `clang-format` is used (specifically version 9).
+To install this on Mac using homebrew, run:
+```sh
+(.venv) $ brew install llvm@9
+```
+
+Use helper scripts to automatically format your code (or configure your IDE to do it):
+```sh
+# format all code
+(.venv) $ python3 scripts/format-all.py
+
+# just format Python files
+(.venv) $ python3 scripts/format-python.py
+
+# just format C files
+(.venv) $ python3 scripts/format-c.py
+```
+
+## Using an IDE
+### Using Visual Studio Code (VSCode)
+
+1)  Install the following extensions:
+    *   Python (Microsoft)
+    *   C/C++ (Microsoft)
+    *   Code Spell Checker (Street Side Software) - optional
+
+2)  Open the `aws-crt-python/` folder.
+
+3)  Edit workspace settings: `cmd+shift+P -> Preferences: Open Workspace Settings`
+    *   `Python: Default Interpreter Path` - ("python.defaultInterpreterPath" in json view)
+        *   Set the absolute path to Python in your virtual environment.
+        For example: `/Users/janedoe/dev/aws-crt-python/.venv/bin/python`
+        *   Note that the VSCode terminal ignores this setting and will not use your virtual environment by default.
+            You must manually run `source .venv/bin/activate` each time you start using the terminal.
+            Or use the command `cmd+shift+P -> Python: Create Terminal`.
+    *   `C_Cpp > Default: Include Path` - ("C_Cpp.default.includePath" in json view)
+        *   Add item - set path to Python's C headers.
+            For example: `/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.10/include/python3.10`
+        *   This is optional, it helps IntelliSense when viewing C files.
+    *   `Files: Insert Final Newline` - ("files.insertFinalNewline" in json view)
+        *   Set to true. It's just good practice.
+    *   `Files: Trim Trailing Whitespace` - ("files.trimTrailingWhitespace" in json view)
+        *   Set to true. It's just good practice.
+
+4)  Add helpful tasks you can run via `cmd+shift+P -> Tasks: Run Task`
+    *   Copy [this file](vscode/tasks.json) to `aws-crt-python/.vscode/tasks.json` for the following tasks:
+        * `install` - `pip install` in develop mode. `cmd+shift+B` is a special shortcut for this task
+        * `format` - format all code files
+
+#### Debugging Python with VSCode
+The VSCode `Testing` tab (lab flask/beaker icon) helps run and debug Python tests.
+From this tab, click Configure Python Tests:
+*   Select a test framework/tool to enable - unittest
+*   Select the directory containing the tests - test
+*   Select the pattern to identify test files - test_*.py
+
+Run tests by mousing over the name and clicking the PLAY button,
+or use the DEBUG button to hit breakpoints in Python code, and see output in the DEBUG CONSOLE.
+
+Note that many tests are skipped unless [specific environment variables](#environment-variables-for-tests) are set.
+You can set these in a `aws-crt-python/.env` file (don't worry it's ignored by git. For example:
+```
+AWS_TEST_IOT_MQTT_ENDPOINT=xxxxxxxxx-ats.iot.xxxxx.amazonaws.com
+AWS_TEST_TLS_CERT_PATH=/Users/janedoe/iot/xxxxx-certificate.pem.crt
+AWS_TEST_TLS_KEY_PATH=/Users/janedoe/iot/xxxxx-private.pem.key
+```
+
+#### Debugging C with VSCode
+Unfortunately, we haven't figured out how to do interactive debugging of the C code.
+Python ultimately builds and links the C module together, and it seems to always strip out the debug info.
+Please update this guide if you know how. For now, `printf()` is your best option.
+
+If you suspect the bug is in the external C code (i.e. [aws-c-http](https://github.com/awslabs/aws-c-http))
+and need to do interactive debugging, your best bet is cloning that external project,
+build it in Debug, and step through its tests.
+
+# TODO
+*   more about git submodules (latest-submodules.py and working from branches)
+*   more about logging. consider easy way to turn on logging in tests
+
diff --git a/docs/dev/vscode/tasks.json b/docs/dev/vscode/tasks.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..80f69ce6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/dev/vscode/tasks.json
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+{
+    // See https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=733558
+    // for the documentation about the tasks.json format
+    "version": "2.0.0",
+    "tasks": [
+        {
+            "label": "install",
+            "type": "shell",
+            "command": "${config:python.defaultInterpreterPath} scripts/install-dev.py",
+            "group": {
+                "kind": "build",
+                "isDefault": true
+            },
+            "presentation": {
+                "panel": "shared",
+                "clear": true
+            },
+            "problemMatcher": []
+        },
+        {
+            "label": "format",
+            "type": "shell",
+            "command": "${config:python.defaultInterpreterPath} scripts/format-all.py",
+            "presentation": {
+                "panel": "shared",
+                "clear": true
+            },
+            "problemMatcher": []
+        }
+    ]
+}
diff --git a/requirements-dev.txt b/requirements-dev.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3f5acb0f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/requirements-dev.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+autopep8 # for code formatting
+sphinx # for building docs
diff --git a/scripts/clean.py b/scripts/clean.py
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..a19a2404c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/clean.py
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+import glob
+import os
+import shutil
+import utils
+
+# apply these patterns without recursing through subfolders
+NONRECURSIVE_PATTERNS = [
+    'build/',
+    '_awscrt*.*',  # compiled _awscrt shared lib
+    'awscrt.egg-info/',
+    'dist/',
+    'wheelhouse/',
+    'docsrc/build/',
+]
+
+# recurse through subfolders and apply these patterns
+RECURSIVE_PATTERNS = [
+    '*.pyc',
+    '__pycache__/'
+]
+
+# approved list of folders
+# because we don't want to clean the virtual environment folder
+APPROVED_RECURSIVE_FOLDERS = [
+    'awscrt'
+    'scripts'
+    'test'
+    '.builder'
+]
+
+utils.chdir_project_root()
+
+utils.run('python3 -m pip uninstall -y awscrt')
+
+paths = []
+for pattern in NONRECURSIVE_PATTERNS:
+    paths.extend(glob.glob(pattern))
+
+for pattern in RECURSIVE_PATTERNS:
+    for folder in APPROVED_RECURSIVE_FOLDERS:
+        paths.extend(glob.glob(f'{folder}/**/{pattern}', recursive=True))
+
+for path in paths:
+    print(f'delete: {path}')
+    if os.path.isfile(path):
+        os.remove(path)
+    else:
+        shutil.rmtree(path)
diff --git a/scripts/format-all.py b/scripts/format-all.py
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..a185d3669
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/format-all.py
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+import utils
+
+utils.chdir_project_root()
+
+utils.run('python3 scripts/format-c.py')
+utils.run('python3 scripts/format-python.py')
diff --git a/scripts/format-c.py b/scripts/format-c.py
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..d52a1c8e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/format-c.py
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+import utils
+import glob
+
+FILE_PATTERNS = [
+    'source/**/*.h',
+    'source/**/*.c',
+]
+
+utils.chdir_project_root()
+
+files = []
+for pattern in FILE_PATTERNS:
+    files.extend(glob.glob(pattern, recursive=True))
+
+utils.run(['clang-format', '-i', *files])
diff --git a/scripts/format-python.py b/scripts/format-python.py
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..e2572018a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/format-python.py
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+import utils
+
+FILES_AND_FOLDERS_TO_FORMAT = [
+    '.builder/',
+    'awscrt/',
+    'scripts/',
+    'test/',
+    'setup.py',
+]
+
+utils.chdir_project_root()
+
+utils.run(['python3',
+           '-m', 'autopep8',
+           '--in-place',  # edit files in place
+           '--recursive',
+           '--jobs', '0',  # parallel with all CPUs
+           *FILES_AND_FOLDERS_TO_FORMAT])
diff --git a/scripts/install-dev.py b/scripts/install-dev.py
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..6c158851b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/install-dev.py
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+import utils
+
+utils.chdir_project_root()
+
+utils.run('python3 -m pip install --verbose --editable .')
diff --git a/make-docs.sh b/scripts/make-docs.sh
similarity index 73%
rename from make-docs.sh
rename to scripts/make-docs.sh
index 7c898f1bb..8238e386c 100755
--- a/make-docs.sh
+++ b/scripts/make-docs.sh
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 set -e
 
-pushd `dirname $0` > /dev/null
+pushd "$(dirname $0)/.." > /dev/null
 
 # clean
-rm -rf docs/
+rm -rf docs/api
 rm -rf docsrc/build/
 
 # build
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ pushd docsrc > /dev/null
 make html SPHINXOPTS="-W --keep-going"
 popd > /dev/null
 
-cp -a docsrc/build/html/. docs
+cp -a docsrc/build/html/. docs/api
 
 # The existence of this file tells GitHub Pages to just host the HTML as-is
 # https://github.blog/2009-12-29-bypassing-jekyll-on-github-pages/
-touch docs/.nojekyll
+touch docs/api/.nojekyll
 
 popd > /dev/null
diff --git a/scripts/utils.py b/scripts/utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..324bb8147
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+import os
+import shlex
+import subprocess
+import sys
+
+
+def run(args: str | list[str]):
+    """
+    Run a program.
+
+    args may be a string, or list of argument strings.
+
+    If the program is "python3", this is replaced with the
+    full path to the current python executable.
+    """
+
+    # convert string to list
+    # so that we don't need to pass shell=True to subprocess.run()
+    # because turning on shell can mess things up (i.e. clang-format hangs forever for some reason)
+    if isinstance(args, str):
+        args = shlex.split(args)
+
+    # ensure proper python executable is used
+    if args[0] == 'python3':
+        args[0] = sys.executable
+
+    # run
+    print(f'+ {subprocess.list2cmdline(args)}')
+    result = subprocess.run(args)
+    if result.returncode != 0:
+        sys.exit('FAILED')
+
+
+def chdir_project_root():
+    root = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), '..'))
+    os.chdir(root)
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index ab99f8e2b..7c1526343 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -361,7 +361,4 @@ def _load_version():
     ext_modules=[awscrt_ext()],
     cmdclass={'build_ext': awscrt_build_ext},
     test_suite='test',
-    tests_require=[
-        'boto3'
-    ]
 )