My Hacktoberfest 2025 Journey: Learning Through Open Source
Hacktoberfest 2025 was my first deep dive into open source contribution, and it taught me far more than I expected—not just about code, but about collaboration, communication, and understanding what projects actually need.
The Wins
- PhysicsHub Theme Overhaul
My first major contribution focused on improving the light theme for PhysicsHub. The original design used overly bright colors that caused eye strain, so I softened the palette and improved contrast ratios across the board. I also simplified the theme toggle from a confusing three-mode cycle to a straightforward light/dark switch.
Beyond the visual improvements, I refactored the entire theme system to eliminate hardcoded colors, making every component properly theme-aware. The simulation pages, chapter cards, and code blocks now seamlessly adapt to user preferences.
- Dark Mode Bug Fixes & Architecture Improvements
My second PhysicsHub contribution tackled critical visibility issues. The Stars components were nearly invisible in dark mode, and the homepage radial glow wasn't showing up at all due to z-index conflicts. After fixing these visual bugs, I refactored the project structure to use a centralized Layout component instead of duplicating headers and footers across every page.
This architectural change might seem invisible to users, but it dramatically improved code maintainability and fixed footer positioning issues across the site.
Frontend Authentication System
For a Next.js project, I built a complete frontend-only authentication system with login and signup pages supporting both English and Japanese locales. Using localStorage for persistence and Zod for validation, I created a self-contained auth flow that works immediately while leaving room for future backend integration.
The implementation includes reusable UI components, localized error messages, and session management that survives page refreshes.
The Learning Experience
- Integration URL History (Closed Without Merge)
Not every contribution makes it into the codebase, and that's okay. I built a URL history feature for an integration drawer that stored up to 10 previously used URLs per integration type in localStorage. It worked perfectly—but it wasn't what the project needed.
The maintainer's feedback was direct: "It feels like too many changes for something very simple—I'd just like to see a list of what's already configured." I had interpreted "add history option" as building a comprehensive memory system when they simply wanted to display existing configurations.
What I Learned
- Communication Matters More Than Code
The closed PR taught me the most important lesson: always clarify requirements before diving into implementation. During Hacktoberfest, there's pressure to contribute quickly, but taking time to understand what maintainers actually want saves everyone time and effort.
- Theme Systems Are Complex
Working on PhysicsHub's theme system showed me how deeply colors affect user experience. It's not just about aesthetics—proper contrast ratios impact accessibility, and consistent theming across components requires careful architectural planning.
Architecture Beats Duplication
Refactoring duplicated headers and footers into a centralized Layout component was straightforward, but the impact was significant. Good architecture makes future changes easier, and that matters more than clever individual solutions.Frontend-First Can Work
Building authentication without waiting for backend infrastructure proved that you can create functional features by working within constraints. localStorage isn't a database, but for the right use case, it enables rapid prototyping and immediate user value.
Moving Forward
Hacktoberfest reminded me that open source isn't just about writing code—it's about understanding problems, communicating solutions, and being willing to adjust when you miss the mark. The merged PRs feel great, but the closed one taught me more.
Next year, I'll ask more questions upfront, contribute to projects where I genuinely use the software, and remember that simpler solutions often beat clever ones.
Stats:
4 Pull Requests submitted
3 Merged successfully
1 Closed (with valuable lessons learned)
2 Projects contributed to
Countless lines of code refactored
Thanks to all the maintainers who reviewed my work, provided feedback, and helped me grow as a developer. See you in Hacktoberfest 2026! 🎃
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