A Beginner's Guide to Getting Started with Open Source Projects

Open source projects are a cornerstone of software development, offering learning resources and a platform for technological advancement and community collaboration. As a newcomer to the open source world, you might feel a bit overwhelmed about how to get involved. This guide will walk you through the process, from selecting a project to submitting your first Pull Request (PR).

1 How to Choose the Right Open Source Project

Choose Based on Your Interests and Skills

Selecting a project that aligns with your interests is crucial because it will motivate you to keep learning and contributing. Additionally, consider your skill level and choose a project that matches your abilities. If you’re just starting out, look for projects with issues labeled “good first issue” or “beginner friendly.”

Check Project Activity

Opt for active projects where you can easily get help and support. Active projects typically have more contributors and maintainers, fostering a friendly community atmosphere.

Useful Project Lists

• GitHub Explore: GitHub’s official project exploration page, allowing you to filter projects by popularity, trends, etc.
• Open Source Friday: A website recommending open source projects, suitable for newcomers.
• First Timers Only: A platform focused on helping new contributors get involved in open source.

2 Getting Familiar with the Project

Read the Project Documentation

Every open source project usually has a README file containing basic project information, usage instructions, contribution guidelines, etc. Carefully read these documents to understand the project’s background and development standards.

Understand the Project Structure

Get to know the project’s directory structure and code organization. This will help you quickly locate the parts you need to modify.

Join the Project Community

Connect with the project community through GitHub, mailing lists, Slack, Discord, etc. This is a great way to get help and support from other contributors.

3 Types of Contributions You Can Make

Code Contributions:

• Fix Bugs: Look for issues labeled “good first issue” or “beginner friendly” in the project’s issue tracking system and resolve them.
• Add New Features: If you have good ideas, propose and implement new features. It’s best to communicate with project maintainers before starting.
• Optimize Code: Improve existing code, such as enhancing performance or code style.

Non-Code Contributions:

• Documentation Writing: Enhance project documentation, including user guides and development docs.
• Translation: Provide multi-language support by translating documentation or the user interface.
• Testing: Participate in testing, providing test reports and feedback.
• Community Support: Answer questions and help solve problems in the community.

4 How to Create and Manage Issues

Preparations Before Creating an Issue:

• Understand the Project: Know the project’s basic functions and usage to ensure your issue is relevant.
• Check for Existing Issues: Search the project’s existing issues to avoid duplicates.
• Read the Contribution Guidelines: Most projects have a CONTRIBUTING.md file with issue creation guidelines.

Steps to Create an Issue:

1. Log in to GitHub: Ensure you’re logged into your GitHub account.
2. Navigate to the Project Repository: Find the GitHub repository of the open source project you want to contribute to.
3. Click the “Issues” Tab: Locate and click the “Issues” tab in the repository’s top navigation bar.
4. Click the “New Issue” Button: Find and click the “New Issue” button in the top right corner of the Issues page.
5. Fill in the Issue Form: Complete the issue form according to project requirements, including:
   • Title: A concise description of the core problem.
   • Issue Description: Detailed information about the problem, including what you encountered, expected behavior, and actual behavior.
   • Environment Information: Your operating system, browser, project version, etc.
   • Reproduction Steps: Steps to recreate the issue, helping developers quickly identify the problem.
   • Relevant Code or Screenshots: Code snippets or screenshots to better illustrate the issue.
6. Submit the Issue: Click the “Submit new issue” button to post your issue.

5 How to Submit a Pull Request (PR)

Fork the Project:

On GitHub, locate the target project and click the “Fork” button to create a copy in your GitHub account.

Clone the Project Locally:

Use Git commands to clone the forked project to your local machine:

git clone https://github.com/your-username/project-name.git

Create a Branch:

In your local repository, create a new branch for your development work:

git checkout -b your-branch-name

Make Your Changes:

Modify or add code to implement your feature or fix the issue.

Commit Your Changes:

Save your changes to the local branch:

git add .
git commit -m "Your commit message"

Push to Your Remote Repository:

Upload your local branch to your GitHub repository:

git push origin your-branch-name

Create a Pull Request:

On GitHub, switch to your branch and click the “Compare & pull request” button. Fill in the PR description and submit it.

Wait for Review:

Project maintainers will review your PR and may request modifications. Address their comments until the PR is accepted.