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Vishnu Goswami
Vishnu Goswami

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From Zero to Contributor: My First Year in Open Source as a Junior Dev

#opensource #github #webdev #programming

I had no idea where to start.
I wanted to contribute to open source but didn’t know the tools, processes, or even the right projects to look for.
The truth is, you don’t need to be a senior developer or a coding prodigy to get started.

1. Understand What Open Source Really Means

Open source means the source code is available for anyone to view, use, modify, and share — usually under a license like MIT or Apache 2.0.
You’re not just “coding for free”; you’re collaborating on projects that help real people.

tip:
Read opensource.guide — it’s the clearest, beginner-friendly overview.

2. Set Up Your Development Environment

Before touching any project, you need the basics ready:

  • Git → Install from git-scm.com and learn basic commands (clone, commit, push, pull)
  • GitHub account → Create one at github.com and set up 2FA
  • Code editor → VS Code is beginner-friendly (code.visualstudio.com)
  • Runtime → Install Node, Python, or the language your target project uses

tip:
Complete GitHub’s Hello World guide — it teaches the workflow in 15 minutes.

Mistake to avoid:
Not testing your environment before starting. Run a sample project locally to check everything works.

3. Find a Beginner-Friendly Project

Look for projects with:

  • Active maintainers (recent commits in the last month)
  • Clear documentation
  • “Good First Issue” or “Beginner” labels

Places to search:

tip:
Pick a project you actually use or care about. It’s easier to stay motivated.

Mistake to avoid:
Choosing a massive, complex project as your first try. Start small.

4. Learn the Contribution Workflow

Most projects follow this flow:

  1. Fork the repo on GitHub
  2. Clone your fork locally
  3. Create a new branch for your change
  4. Make your edits
  5. Commit with a clear message
  6. Push to your fork
  7. Open a Pull Request (PR)

tip:
Watch GitHub’s Pull Request tutorial before you make your first PR.

5. Start Small

Your first contribution doesn’t have to be a huge feature.
Good first PR ideas:

  • Fix typos in documentation
  • Add examples to README
  • Improve error messages
  • Update dependencies

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