10 Easy Ways to Contribute to Open Source Projects
Open source contributions can feel intimidating, especially when you’re not sure where to begin. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to be an expert to make meaningful contributions that help thousands of developers worldwide.
Why Contributing to Open Source Matters #
Before diving into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Andrés Alcarraz, a developer with over 25 years of experience who’s now a top 10 contributor to the jPOS library, puts it perfectly:
You get recognition, you get to be part of the community that’s behind the project, the users and the developers. You better the skills, you better the experience that you advance your career of course and also you have impact.
Think about it - many companies now specifically look for open source contributors. As one session participant noted, some companies like Red Hat only hire people who’ve contributed to their open source projects. Your contributions become your living resume.
Start Small: Documentation Is Your Friend #
The easiest way to begin? Documentation contributions. As Andrés explains:
Nothing will break if you modify some documentation, right? So before you get notices and then you start contributing more important things… I think that the best way to start contributing is something that is by ways that are not really risky.
Here’s what you can do:
- Fix typos and grammar errors
- Update outdated getting-started guides
- Add missing information you discovered while following tutorials
- Fix broken links
- Translate documentation to other languages
The beauty of documentation contributions is that you’re helping while learning. When you find unclear instructions or outdated commands, you’re not just fixing a problem - you’re saving future developers hours of frustration.
Turn Your Frustrations Into Bug Reports #
We’ve all been there - software doesn’t work as expected, and you want to “kick the machine.” Instead of getting angry, redirect that energy into reporting bugs. This is actually a valuable contribution to open source projects.
Here’s how to write effective bug reports:
- Reproduce the problem consistently - Make sure you can trigger the bug multiple times
- Provide clear step-by-step instructions - Other developers should be able to follow your steps exactly
- Include system details - Operating system, software versions, environment setup
- Test on different setups if possible - This gives maintainers crucial information about the bug’s scope
As one participant shared, they found a bug in a VS Code Python extension, reported it, then actually found and submitted the fix. Microsoft accepted it within weeks!
Help Manage Issues and Support Users #
Another low-barrier way to contribute is helping with issue management. When you see 3,000 open issues (yes, this happens!), you can help by:
- Identifying duplicate issues and pointing them out to maintainers
- Directing new contributors to the right places for questions
- Answering user support questions when you know the solution
- Triaging issues by confirming bugs or marking feature requests
Remember, as Andrés notes: “Every contribution matters. Many open source projects are built on small contribution groups.” Even if you can’t close issues yourself, your help make maintainers’ lives much easier.
Beyond Code: Other Ways to Contribute #
Contributing to open source isn’t just about writing code. You can also help through:
- Testing new features and providing feedback
- Code reviews on pull requests
- Feature suggestions based on your real-world usage
- Design contributions for user interfaces
- Spreading the word about projects you love
How AI Can Speed Up Your Contributions #
Today’s AI tools can be incredible allies in your open source journey. You can use AI to:
- Generate documentation templates for your proposals
- Help write clearer bug reports
- Suggest code improvements for your pull requests
- Find the right dependencies or packages when documentation is outdated
As the discussion revealed, AI can even help you scan repositories to understand project structure and suggest starting points for contributions.
Building Trust in the Community #
Here’s something crucial that many new contributors miss: start small to build trust. As Andrés puts it:
If you start small, you build trust and then you will be able to contribute more impactful scenes later.
When you consistently make helpful contributions - even tiny ones like fixing typos - project maintainers start recognizing your name. This recognition opens doors to bigger opportunities and more significant contributions.
Getting Started Today #
The best projects to contribute to are ones you already use. When you encounter problems or unclear documentation in your daily work, that’s your opportunity to contribute back.
Don’t wait until you feel “expert enough.” As one participant shared, they had commits accepted by Microsoft simply because they found and fixed a typo in a tutorial. Your fresh perspective as a user is valuable.
Key Takeaways #
Contributing to open source is easier than you think, and the benefits extend far beyond just helping projects. You’ll learn new technologies, build professional relationships, gain recognition in the developer community, and advance your career.
Remember: “Don’t be afraid to contribute. There is no small contribution, but every contributor matters.”
Ready to make your first contribution? Start by looking at a project you use regularly, check their documentation, and see if you can spot something to improve. What open source project will you contribute to first? Share your plans in the comments below!