If you're a beginner in programming, one of the best ways to improve your skills, build your portfolio, and connect with developers worldwide is by contributing to open source.
But there's a problem most people face:
- Where do I even start?
- How do I find beginner-friendly repositories?
- What if I break something?
- Which projects actually accept contributions from new developers?
This blog answers all those questions. By the end, you'll know:
- ✅ How to get started with Git & GitHub
- ✅ How to find beginner-friendly issues
- ✅ Resources & curated lists of projects for you to contribute to
- ✅ My personal beginner-friendly repositories you can contribute to
- ✅ Practical tips to make your first PR (pull request) successful
Why Contribute to Open Source?
Here's why open source is an amazing opportunity for students & beginners:
- Learn real-world codebases: Reading others' code helps you understand patterns and best practices.
- Portfolio building: Public contributions show up on your GitHub profile. Recruiters love seeing consistent commits and PRs.
- Networking: You'll interact with developers, mentors, and professionals across the world.
- Giving back: You're helping build tools and libraries that others use.
- Hacktoberfest perks: During October, contributing to open source can even get you swags, T-shirts, or recognition.
Step 1: Set Up Your Git & GitHub
Before you contribute, make sure your tools are ready.
- Install Git.
- Configure your identity:
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your@email.com"
Create a GitHub account.
Install VS Code or any editor you prefer.
Step 2: Learn Git & GitHub Basics
These are the essential commands you'll use almost daily:
# Clone a repo to your local machine
git clone <repo-url>
# Create a new branch for your changes
git checkout -b feature-branch
# Stage changes
git add .
# Commit changes with a message
git commit -m "Added a new feature"
# Push branch to your fork
git push origin feature-branch
Once pushed, open a Pull Request (PR) from your fork → original repo.
👉 You can practice all this safely using the First Contributions project:
https://github.com/firstcontributions/first-contributions
Step 3: How to Find Beginner-Friendly Repositories
This is where many beginners get stuck. The secret is to look for labels and curated lists.
Look for these GitHub issue labels
- good first issue
- beginner-friendly
- help wanted
- first-timers-only
- hacktoberfest
Example search:
https://github.com/search?q=label%3A"good+first+issue"&type=Issues
Curated Lists & Websites
| Resource | Description | URL |
|---|---|---|
| MunGell/awesome-for-beginners | Master list of beginner-friendly repos | Visit |
| GoodFirstIssue.dev | Search issues across multiple repositories | Visit |
| First Contributions | Repo that teaches you how to contribute | Visit |
| My Hacktoberfest | My Curated list of Hacktoberfest-participating repos | Visit |
| Up For Grabs | Discover projects with beginner-friendly issues | Visit |
Checklist for a Beginner-Friendly Repo
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| CONTRIBUTING.md | Explains the rules and steps to contribute properly |
| Active issue tracker | Ensures your PR will be seen and reviewed in time |
Labels like good first issue |
Highlights easy entry-level tasks for beginners |
| Clear README | Helps you set up and understand the project quickly |
| Friendly maintainers | Increases chances of getting guidance and feedback |
Step 4: Start Small (Your First Contribution)
Here are some great first contribution ideas:
- Fix typos in README or docs.
- Add new resources (like free books, tutorials).
- Improve styling / responsiveness in frontend apps.
- Add small features like a dark mode toggle.
- Refactor a function into cleaner code.
Remember: You don't have to fix a big bug right away. Even improving documentation counts as a valid contribution.
My Beginner-Friendly Repositories
| Repository | Description | URL |
|---|---|---|
| Profile Readme Templates | Add your own profile readme designs | Visit Repo |
| Stopwatch | Improve design, add features like lap timer | Visit Repo |
| Login-Signup Templates | Contribute new templates & styling | Visit Repo |
| Meme Generator | Add meme templates, improve UX | Visit Repo |
| Weather App | Add new API features, styling, or unit tests | Visit Repo |
| My Gallery 4u | Improve gallery layout, add filters | Visit Repo |
| Memory Game | Add difficulty levels, sound effects | Visit Repo |
| Free Programming Books | Add new free books, tutorials, or resources | Visit Repo |
👉 Each of these repos accepts beginner-friendly contributions. Start with documentation, add new features, or fix small bugs.
Other Beginner-Friendly Repos to Explore
| Repository | Description | URL |
|---|---|---|
| EddieHubCommunity | Very beginner-friendly community | Visit Repo |
| Appwrite | Open-source backend, lots of "good first issue" labels | Visit Repo |
| Public APIs | Contribute free APIs to the list | Visit Repo |
| Open Source Guides | Improve docs about open source | Visit Repo |
💡 Tips for Success
✅ Read the README & CONTRIBUTING.md before making changes.
✅ Always comment on an issue before working on it: "Can I take this?".
✅ Keep your PR small and focused.
✅ Write clear commit messages (git commit -m "Added dark mode toggle").
✅ Be polite and patient with maintainers—they volunteer their time.
✅ Don't get discouraged if your PR isn't merged right away.
At Last!
Contributing to open source might look scary at first, but it's actually simple when you break it down:
- Learn Git basics.
- Find beginner-friendly repositories.
- Start small.
- Keep contributing and learning.
Hacktoberfest (and beyond) is the perfect chance to make your first contribution. And remember—you don't need to be an expert, you just need to start.
💬 Have questions? Drop a comment below, or check out my repos and open an issue to get started.
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