Git and GitHub Contributions Guide
How to contribute in open source projects github
Contributing to open source projects on GitHub is a fantastic way to learn, collaborate, and give back to the developer community. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started with your first contribution.
1️⃣ Understand the Basics of Git & GitHub
- Git: A tool to track changes in your code.
- Install Git on your computer.
- Learn key commands:
git clone
🧲: Copy a projectgit add
➕: Stage changesgit commit
💾: Save a snapshotgit push
🚀: Upload changesgit pull
⬇️: Get latest updatesgit branch
🌿: Manage branchesgit checkout
🔄: Switch branches
- GitHub: A website to host code and collaborate.
- Explore repositories, issues, pull requests, and forks.
2️⃣ Set Up Your GitHub Account
- Sign up for a free account.
- Personalize your profile (name, location, bio, photo) 🖼️.
- Enable two-factor authentication for security 🔒.
3️⃣ Find a Project to Contribute To
- Start with tools you use.
- Look for “good first issue” or “beginner-friendly” labels:
- Try sites like goodfirstissue.dev, firstcontributions.github.io, firsttimersonly.com.
- Use GitHub’s own filters.
- Read the
CONTRIBUTING.md
file for each project. - Browse topics like “open-source-project”.
- Non-code help counts too!
- Improve docs 📝, report bugs 🐞, test features 🧪, review code 🧐, or answer questions 💬.
4️⃣ The Fork & Pull Request Workflow
A. Fork the Repository
- Click “Fork” on the project page to copy it to your account.
B. Clone Your Fork
- Copy the URL from your fork.
- Run:
git clone <copied-url>
- Move into the folder:
cd <repository-name>
C. Create a New Branch
- Make a new branch for your changes:
git checkout -b my-feature
D. Make Your Changes
- Open the code in your editor and make improvements.
E. Test Your Changes
- Run tests if available, or check your fixes work.
F. Commit Your Changes
- Stage files:
git add .
- Commit with a clear message:
git commit -m "Fix: typo in README"
G. Push to Your Fork
- Push your branch:
git push origin my-feature
H. Create a Pull Request
- Go to your fork on GitHub.
- Click “Compare & pull request”.
- Fill in the title and description. Reference issues if needed.
- Add screenshots if it’s a UI change.
- Click “Create pull request”!
5️⃣ Respond to Feedback & Iterate
- Maintainers may request changes or ask questions.
- Make edits locally, commit, and push again—the pull request updates automatically.
- Once approved, your changes get merged! 🎉
🌟 Tips for Success
- Start small (fix typos, update docs, minor bugs).
- Always read the
CONTRIBUTING.md
file. - Be patient—maintainers are often volunteers.
- Communicate politely and professionally.
- Learn from every contribution.
- Stay updated:
git remote add upstream <original-repo-url>
git checkout main
git pull upstream main
git checkout my-feature
git rebase main
Good luck and happy contributing! 🚀