A Beginner's Guide to Open Source Contribution on GitHub

Welcome! If you're new to the world of open source and want to start making contributions, you've come to the right place. This guide will walk you through the basics: what open source software is, how to find beginner-friendly projects, and how to make your first pull request. By following these steps, you'll be contributing to the community in no time. Let's dive into the key questions every newcomer asks.

What is open source software?

Open source software (OSS) means that the source code is freely available for anyone to view, use, modify, and distribute. Unlike closed source software, where the code is kept secret, OSS projects operate in public, making all communication, decisions, and the codebase itself transparent. This openness allows developers worldwide to collaborate, learn from real-world projects, and build upon existing work. For beginners, browsing OSS repositories is an excellent way to see how large-scale applications are structured and maintained. Plus, contributing helps you gain practical experience, build a portfolio, and connect with other developers. GitHub is the primary platform hosting millions of open source projects, making it the perfect starting point for your journey.

Why should beginners contribute to open source?

Contributing to open source offers tremendous benefits for new developers. You get to work on real projects used by thousands of people, which gives you a taste of professional development workflows. You’ll learn how to read and understand existing code, use version control with Git and GitHub, and collaborate with maintainers and other contributors. Additionally, open source participation boosts your resume and GitHub profile, showing potential employers that you can contribute to team efforts. Many beginners also find mentorship through community reviews of their pull requests. Even fixing a small bug or updating documentation can teach you the process of forking, branching, creating pull requests, and addressing feedback. Start with small tasks and gradually take on more complex issues as your confidence grows.

How can GitHub Copilot Chat help you find OSS projects?

GitHub Copilot Chat is an AI assistant integrated into GitHub that can recommend projects based on your preferences. To use it, click the Copilot icon on github.com to open a chat window. In the bottom-left corner, select the Ask option. Then enter a prompt like: “I’m looking for a list of open source projects written in Python that are accepting new contributors. Search GitHub and narrow down the list to repositories that use the good first issue label and have over 100 stars.” Copilot will search and return a curated list of repositories meeting your criteria. This saves you hours of manual browsing and surfaces beginner-friendly issues. The good first issue label is especially valuable because it indicates the issue is suitable for newcomers, with clear instructions and a welcoming maintainer. Use this tool to kickstart your search efficiently.

How do you find good first issues using labels?

Most active open source repositories use labels to organize issues. The good first issue label is specifically designed for beginners. To find these issues in any repository, navigate to the repository page (for example, the vscode repository). Click the Issues tab at the top. On the Issues page, click the Labels dropdown box. In the search field, type “good” until you see the good first issue option, then select it. The page will instantly filter to show only issues tagged with that label. These issues often come with detailed descriptions, expected behavior, and sometimes screenshots or code pointers. Picking one of these dramatically lowers the barrier to your first contribution. Many projects also combine this with labels like help wanted or beginner. Always check if the issue is currently assigned to someone else to avoid duplicate work.

Why are good first issues important for new contributors?

The good first issue label is more than a tag—it’s a commitment from maintainers to provide a smooth onboarding experience. These issues are typically well-documented, have a clear scope, and require minimal context about the codebase. They might involve fixing a typo, improving documentation, adding a small feature, or resolving a simple bug. For beginners, tackling such issues builds confidence and teaches the contribution workflow without overwhelming complexity. Moreover, maintainers actively monitor these issues and offer guidance, making it more likely your pull request will be reviewed and merged. Successful contributions on these issues can lead to being trusted with larger tasks later. Many open source programs like Hacktoberfest highlight the importance of good first issues to encourage new participants. Always start here to make your first open source experience positive and educational.

What should you read before making your first contribution?

Before diving into code, you absolutely must read the repository’s contributing guidelines. These are typically found in a file named CONTRIBUTING.md or linked in the repository’s README. The guidelines explain the project’s preferred workflow, code style, testing requirements, and how to submit a pull request. For example, they may ask you to first open an issue to discuss changes before writing code, or they may specify commit message conventions. Additionally, check the Code of Conduct (often CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md) to understand the expected behavior within the community. Many projects also have a README.md with setup instructions and architecture overviews. Skipping these documents is a common mistake that can lead to rejected pull requests or frustration. Taking 15 minutes to read them sets you up for success and shows respect for maintainers’ time.