How to Begin Contributing to Open-Source Projects on GitHub: A Step-by-Step Guide

Contributing to open-source projects on GitHub is an excellent way to improve your coding skills, collaborate with a global community, and build a solid portfolio. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, GitHub offers a vast array of open-source projects where you can contribute. Here’s a guide to help you get started.

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1. Set Up Your GitHub Account

If you don’t already have a GitHub account, the first step is to create one.

Steps:

• Go to GitHub and sign up for a free account.
• Set up your GitHub profile: Include a picture, bio, and a few details about your skills or interests. This helps project maintainers and collaborators get to know you.
• Familiarize yourself with GitHub’s interface by exploring repositories, pull requests, and issues.

Resources:

• GitHub Documentation: Getting Started with GitHub

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2. Learn Basic Git and GitHub Commands

Before contributing, you need to understand how Git works, which is a version control system GitHub uses. Git helps you track code changes, collaborate with others, and manage contributions.

Key Git Commands to Learn:

• Clone a repository: git clone <repo-url>
• Create a new branch: git checkout -b <branch-name>
• Add and commit changes: git add <file> and git commit -m "Commit message"
• Push changes to GitHub: git push origin <branch-name>
• Submit a pull request (PR): After pushing your changes, open a pull request on GitHub to propose your changes.

Resources:

• Learn Git: Git Basics
• GitHub Desktop (a GUI for Git): GitHub Desktop

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Before you proceed with the next steps of this guide, I recommend you watching this video from AssemblyAI to visually understand what is there for you.

3. Find a Project to Contribute To

There are thousands of open-source projects on GitHub, and finding the right one is key to making your first contribution enjoyable. Here’s how to find a project:

Tips for Finding Projects:

• Start small: Look for beginner-friendly repositories. Projects with labels like “good first issue” or “beginner-friendly” are perfect for new contributors.
• Find something you’re passionate about: Whether it’s a framework you use, a tool you find interesting, or a hobby-related project, contributing to something you care about makes the process more enjoyable.
• Explore GitHub topics: Use GitHub’s Explore section to find trending projects or search for repositories by topics like JavaScript, Python, or web development.

Resources:

• First Contributions: First Contributions GitHub Repository
• Good First Issues: Good First Issue Finder
• GitHub Explore: Explore GitHub Projects

You can also read about the what to do by Mário Areias, where he explains what to do when starting an open source project contribution.

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4. Understand the Project and Read the Documentation

Once you’ve found a project you want to contribute to, take some time to understand it. Explore the repository, and read through key files like the README.md and CONTRIBUTING.md (if available). These will help you understand the project’s purpose and how to get started contributing.

Key Areas to Look At:

• README.md: Provides an overview of the project, how to set it up, and its goals.
• CONTRIBUTING.md: Outlines the contribution guidelines, coding standards, and the process for submitting pull requests.
• Issue Tracker: Check for open issues where help is needed, especially issues labeled “good first issue” or “help wanted”.

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5. Fork the Repository and Set Up Your Local Environment

To contribute to a project, you need to fork the repository, which creates a copy of the project in your own GitHub account. From there, you can make changes without affecting the original project until you’re ready to propose them via a pull request.

Steps:

• Fork the repo: Go to the project’s page on GitHub and click the Fork button in the top-right corner.
• Clone the repo: Clone the forked repo to your local machine using the command:
  git clone https://github.com/your-username/repository-name.git
• Set up the project: Follow any setup instructions (found in the README or other documentation) to get the project running on your local machine.

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6. Find an Issue or Create One

Once the project is set up, it’s time to look for issues you can tackle. Issues in GitHub track bugs, feature requests, and improvements that the project maintainers want to address.

Steps:

• Pick an issue: Start with issues labeled “good first issue” if you’re new to the project or open-source in general.
• Comment on the issue: Let the maintainers know you are working on it by commenting something like “I would like to take this on.”
• Create a new issue (if necessary): If you find a bug that isn’t documented, or have a suggestion for a new feature, you can open a new issue and discuss it with the maintainers.

Resources:

• GitHub Issues Guide: GitHub Issues Documentation

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7. Make Your Contribution

Now that you’ve found an issue and set up the project, it’s time to make your contribution.

Steps:

• Create a new branch: Never work directly on the main branch. Create a new branch specific to the issue you’re solving:
  • git checkout -b issue-branch
• Make your changes: Write your code, fix the bug, or add a feature.
• Test your changes: Make sure your changes work locally and don’t break any existing functionality.
• Commit and push your changes: Once you’re happy with your work, add, commit, and push your changes to your forked repo.

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8. Submit a Pull Request (PR)

Once your changes are pushed to your fork, it’s time to submit a pull request (PR) to the original repository.

Steps:

• Go to your forked repo: Navigate to the repository on GitHub.
• Click “New Pull Request”: GitHub will show you the changes between your branch and the main repository.
• Provide a clear description: Write a meaningful title and description for your PR, explaining what problem you solved or what feature you added.
• Submit the PR: After submitting, maintainers will review your code and may ask for changes. Work with them to address feedback and get your PR merged.

Resources:

• How to Create a Pull Request: GitHub Pull Request Guide

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9. Engage with the Community

Contributing to open-source is not just about writing code. It’s also about collaborating, learning, and sharing knowledge with others.

• Respond to feedback: Be open to feedback on your code and willing to make changes as suggested by maintainers.
• Participate in discussions: Join the community by contributing to discussions, commenting on issues, and helping others.

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10. Continue Learning and Contributing

The more you contribute, the more comfortable you’ll become. Over time, you may even become a regular contributor or a project maintainer yourself!

• Expand to new projects: Once you’ve contributed to one project, consider exploring other open-source projects.
• Learn from others: Observe how others contribute and adopt best practices to enhance your own skills.

Resource:

• Open Source Guides: How to Contribute to Open Source

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Conclusion

Contributing to open-source projects on GitHub is a rewarding way to hone your coding skills, collaborate with developers around the world, and contribute to real-world projects. By starting small, learning the process, and actively engaging with the community, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a valued open-source contributor.

For more insights and tips on open-source development, follow @cerebrixorg on social media!