Hacktoberfest is here again, and this year I'm trying to be more intentional instead of grabbing the first "good first issue" I see.
My rules for picking issues
- Pick projects I actually use. I understand the context faster and care more about the result.
- Check maintainer activity. If the last merged PR is months old, I skip it.
- Start small. Docs fixes, tests, and small bug fixes build trust before bigger changes.
- Comment before coding. A quick "Can I take this?" saves everyone from duplicate work.
My workflow
- Fork, then clone
- Create a branch named after the issue
- Make the smallest change that solves the problem
- Run the tests locally
- Write a clear PR description: what changed, why, and how to verify it
What I'm hoping to learn
- Reading unfamiliar codebases faster
- Writing better commit messages and PR descriptions
- Handling review feedback gracefully
Tips if you're just starting
- Don't wait until you feel "ready." Nobody does.
- A merged typo fix still counts as a real contribution.
- Be patient with maintainers. Most are volunteers.
What's your strategy for finding issues this month? Drop your favorite repos or tips in the comments, and I'll check them out.
Happy hacking! 🎃
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