The Fear Is Real
My first open source contribution was terrifying.
I stared at the "good first issue" label for hours. I read the codebase. I wrote some code. And then... I closed the tab. I convinced myself my PR would be laughed at, that I'd embarrass myself in public, that I wasn't "good enough" to contribute to someone else's project.
Sound familiar?
The Problem with "Good First Issues"
Here's what I learned after finally pushing through: most "good first issues" aren't actually good for first-timers.
They're often:
- Abandoned by maintainers who never review PRs
- Vague or missing context
- Buried in massive codebases that require hours of setup
- Judged harshly by reviewers who forgot what it's like to be new
I got lucky. A patient maintainer merged my PR. But I kept thinking — what if there was a space where beginners aren't just tolerated, but actually welcomed?
So I Built It
I created the Open Source Starter Lab — a repo designed from the ground up for people who are scared to make their first contribution.
What's Different?
| Typical Repo | Open Source Starter Lab |
|---|---|
| Ghosted for weeks | Fast, friendly reviews |
| Vague issue descriptions | Clear instructions + time estimates |
| Massive codebase | Small, focused projects |
| No recognition | Trust Passport after your first merge |
What's Inside
- 31+ beginner issues — docs, Git, TypeScript CLI, testing
- Skill-based & time-based labels — pick what fits your schedule
- Weekly assignment thread — structure if you want it
- No judgment — questions are encouraged, not mocked
The Trust Passport
When your first PR gets merged, you get a Trust Passport — a real badge of proof that you did it. Not because you need permission to be a developer, but because starting is the hardest part, and you deserve to celebrate it.
Who This Is For
- You've never made an open source contribution
- You tried once and got ghosted or discouraged
- You know GitHub basics but imposter syndrome hits hard
- You want to contribute but don't know where to start
Who This Isn't For
- People looking for "easy" issues to farm for Hacktoberfest swag
- Anyone who thinks beginners should "just figure it out"
How to Start
- Browse issues — filter by time (15 min, 1 hour, 1 day) or skill
- Comment to claim — no stealth PRs needed
- Ask questions — maintainers actually respond
- Submit your PR — get feedback, not criticism
- Merge & get your Passport 🎉
Repo: https://github.com/P-r-e-m-i-u-m/open-source-starter-lab
Website: https://p-r-e-m-i-u-m.github.io/open-source-starter-lab/
My Ask
If you found this helpful and want to share it, feel free 🙏
If you're a beginner — jump in. Your first PR is waiting.
If you're experienced — share this with someone who needs a safe space to start.
Top comments (2)
first PR fear is real built something for people like us. hmu if you want a safe space to start
The thoroughness of this piece is impressive and the developer community is better for it. You clearly put significant effort into not just documenting what you built, but explaining why you built it that way. The architectural decisions, the alternatives you considered and rejected, and the specific problems you were trying to solve all provide valuable context that helps readers apply these ideas to their own projects. Your attention to the practical details that usually get glossed over is what separates a helpful article from a truly great one.
By the way, if you have time, check out the app I recently developed! Like Code is an iOS app that runs HTML directly on your phone. You can paste any HTML, run it full screen, save offline, and edit on device. No account required. It is on the App Store, feel free to check it out! Thank you very much!