Open Source Engagement: What's Working Now?

Recently, I read @bekahhw’s blog post, "When 'Local' Went Global: The Pandemic Era of International Communities." As someone active in many online communities, I found it a bit sad, but I agree with her points and think they apply to open source communities as well.

I work closely with several open source projects, and I’ve noticed a clear drop in regular engagement. Not long ago, online communities were very active. Folks had the bandwidth for constant virtual chats, discussions, and jumping into tasks. Now that most of them are busier offline, many regular contributors aren’t around as much. With fewer long-term contributors, it’s become harder to maintain projects.

So, I’ve been wondering, why are contributors fading away, and what strategies can we use to keep contributors coming back for the long run?

I’d like to hear from both contributors and maintainers. Please join the discussion and share your thoughts. Together, we can learn from each other, gather ideas, and make open source projects more welcoming for everyone.

For Contributors

What Makes You Stay (or Leave)?

Contributing to an open source project takes time and effort. As a maintainer, I’m always curious about what motivates people to join a project. As a fellow contributor, I understand there must be a good reason!

If you contribute regularly, what motivates you the most?

• Is it because you love the product and use it daily?
• Is it the community itself—the friendly atmosphere and the supportive people?
• Is it a purely technical challenge you enjoy solving?
• Or perhaps it's about career growth and building a recognized portfolio?

On the other hand, many people contribute once or twice and then stop. If you wanted to keep contributing but didn't, what made you stop?

How's Your Onboarding Experience?

Think back to the first time you contributed to a project. It might feel intimidating, right? The "Good First Issue" label helps, but a great onboarding experience can help newcomers feel less intimidated and more confident.

I’d like to hear about your experiences. If you’re comfortable, feel free to mention the projects too:

• Can you share a story about a great onboarding process? Maybe someone quickly helped you set up your environment, or the documentation was so clear you didn’t need to ask any questions.
• What about a poor experience? Did you spend hours struggling, only to give up? Did you feel maintainers ignored your questions?
• In your opinion, what is one thing projects could change to make onboarding easier for newcomers?

For Maintainers

Efforts in Retention and Recognition

If you’re a project maintainer, you’re the backbone of the community, and I know you have a lot to handle. As a maintainer myself, I’m interested in how you keep contributors engaged.

• What practical efforts do you find most successful in retaining contributors?
• I believe recognition matters. How do you show appreciation or give rewards? Do you post a public note on social media, send a sticker, feature someone on your project website, or host a virtual celebration?
• What approaches have you found most effective for building an onboarding process that not only helps people get started but also encourages them to return?

Final Words

Open source is built on sharing and collaboration. By talking about both our successes and frustrations, we can all get better at working together.

Please share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s help each other build stronger, friendlier, and more engaged open source communities!

I’m looking forward to reading your stories and ideas!

Comments

[Art light]

Really thoughtful post — I love how clearly you highlighted the changes in open-source engagement. Your perspective feels spot-on, and it actually makes me even more interested in joining the conversation and contributing long-term.

[Start Designlinks]

great