diff --git a/.claude/skills/check-dev-servers.md b/.claude/skills/check-dev-servers.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..25c31be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.claude/skills/check-dev-servers.md
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+# Check Dev Servers
+
+Check the tmux session for backend and frontend dev server status, read errors, and relaunch if needed.
+
+## Instructions
+
+1. **Find the tmux session** for the current worktree:
+   - Get the worktree directory name from `basename $PWD` or the known session name
+   - The session name matches the worktree directory name
+   - Window 1 = backend (Django runserver), Window 2 = frontend (npm run dev)
+
+2. **Capture output from both windows** in parallel:
+   ```bash
+   tmux capture-pane -t '<session>:1' -p -S -80
+   tmux capture-pane -t '<session>:2' -p -S -80
+   ```
+
+3. **Analyze the output**:
+   - Look for Python tracebacks, Django errors, or "Error" messages in window 1
+   - Look for build errors, compilation failures, or crash messages in window 2
+   - Svelte a11y warnings are NOT errors - ignore them
+   - Report findings to the user
+
+4. **Relaunch if server is down**:
+   - For backend (window 1): Extract the port from the window name (e.g., `backend:8004` means port 8004)
+     ```bash
+     tmux send-keys -t '<session>:1' 'workon tally && cd /Users/rasca/Dev/<worktree>/backend && python manage.py runserver <port>' Enter
+     ```
+   - For frontend (window 2): Extract the port from the window name (e.g., `frontend:5004` means port 5004)
+     ```bash
+     tmux send-keys -t '<session>:2' 'source ../backend/env/bin/activate && cd /Users/rasca/Dev/<worktree>/frontend && npm run dev -- --port <port>' Enter
+     ```
+
+5. **Wait a few seconds then verify** the server started successfully:
+   ```bash
+   sleep 3
+   tmux capture-pane -t '<session>:<window>' -p -S -20
+   ```
+
+## Common Issues
+- Missing environment variables in `.env` -> check `.env.example` for defaults
+- Port already in use -> check with `lsof -i :<port>`
+- Missing dependencies -> run `pip install -r requirements.txt` or `npm install`
diff --git a/backend/contributions/views.py b/backend/contributions/views.py
index 5193916..f328a0d 100644
--- a/backend/contributions/views.py
+++ b/backend/contributions/views.py
@@ -662,10 +662,16 @@ def create(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
                             status=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN
                         )
                     if contribution_type.category.slug == 'validator' and not hasattr(request.user, 'validator'):
-                        return Response(
-                            {'error': 'You must complete the Validator Waitlist journey before submitting validator contributions.'},
-                            status=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN
-                        )
+                        # Allow users on the validator waitlist to submit validator contributions
+                        has_waitlist = Contribution.objects.filter(
+                            user=request.user,
+                            contribution_type__slug='validator-waitlist'
+                        ).exists()
+                        if not has_waitlist:
+                            return Response(
+                                {'error': 'You must complete the Validator Waitlist journey before submitting validator contributions.'},
+                                status=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN
+                            )
             except ContributionType.DoesNotExist:
                 pass
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/SubmitContribution.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/SubmitContribution.svelte
index a30e09f..f8a98c4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/SubmitContribution.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/SubmitContribution.svelte
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@
           defaultContributionType={formData.contribution_type}
           onlySubmittable={true}
           stewardMode={false}
-          isValidator={!!$userStore.user?.validator}
+          isValidator={!!$userStore.user?.validator || !!$userStore.user?.has_validator_waitlist}
           isBuilder={!!$userStore.user?.builder}
           onSelectionChange={handleSelectionChange}
         />