How to Contribute to an Open Source Project

This guide offers advice on contributing to open-source projects, assuming basic command-line and Git familiarity. If you're ready for the step-by-step instructions, skip ahead to the how-to section.

Contributing to open source goes beyond just coding. This guide focuses on creating and submitting a pull request (PR) on GitHub.

Getting Started

You've found a great GitHub project and want to contribute! Perhaps you've spotted a bug, an enhancement opportunity, or a way to improve code readability. Here's how to proceed:

Check for a CONTRIBUTING Guide

Many projects have a CONTRIBUTING.md file or a similar contributing guide in their documentation. This document clarifies:

• Style guidelines
• PR submission prerequisites
• Documentation update procedures
• Contribution checklists
• Project architecture and setup

These guides range from concise notes to extensive documents. Reviewing this guide is crucial; it saves both you and the maintainer time.

Review Existing Issues and PRs

Before creating a new issue or PR, search the project's issues (both open and closed) to avoid duplication of effort.

Submitting an Issue

Issues are vital for PRs. They provide a platform to describe the problem, add context, and facilitate discussion. When submitting an issue:

• For bugs: Specify the environment (development, production, etc.).
• For feature requests: Explain the problem clearly, possibly using user stories.
• For general questions: Clearly state the question's nature.
• If offering a PR: Request permission before starting work.

Maintain a respectful tone; remember, maintainers volunteer their time.

Pre-Development Considerations

Before starting your PR:

• Ask for permission: Inquire about the feasibility of your PR via an issue. This saves time and prevents redundant work.
• Use labels: Add the "in progress" label to your issue to signal your work.
• Work in small chunks: Submit multiple, smaller PRs focusing on individual topics. This simplifies review and increases the likelihood of merging.

Submitting Your PR

These steps outline the PR submission process:

1. Fork the repository: Create a fork of the project on your GitHub account.
2. Clone locally: Clone your forked repository: git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/YOUR-FORKED-REPO.git
3. Add upstream: Add a remote to the original repository: git remote add upstream https://github.com/ORIGINAL-DEV-USERNAME/REPO-YOU-FORKED-FROM.git and fetch changes: git fetch upstream
4. Create a branch: Create a new branch with a descriptive name: git checkout -b MEANINGFUL-BRANCH-NAME
5. Make changes: Implement your changes and commit with clear messages: git add -A, git commit -m "CLEAR AND CONCISE COMMIT MESSAGE"
6. Push to your fork: git push origin MEANINGFUL-BRANCH-NAME
7. Create the PR: GitHub will guide you through creating the PR. Link the relevant issue(s). Provide context in your PR description.
8. Keep your fork updated: Pull changes from the original repository: git pull upstream master

Remember to be respectful of the maintainer's time. Open source is rewarding; contributing benefits both the community and your learning. Thanks to Christina Solana's Gist for inspiration.

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