From user to contributor
Every contributor started as a user who noticed something that could be better.
Contents
Noticing
Users see what experienced contributors no longer see: a confusing label, a missing step in a guide, an error that only happens on their setup. Keep a short list while you work. Each item is a possible contribution.
The first three contributions
| # | Suggestion | Page |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Something without code: a help page fix, a confirmed bug, a translation | Your first contribution |
| 2 | The same kind again, a little larger | Ways to contribute |
| 3 | Something that needs review: a pull request with a test, a new help page, a translated section | Contributing code |
Choosing one area
Contributors who stay with one area learn it deeply and are trusted there. Examples of areas:
- one language's translation;
- the help pages for one role (editors, administrators);
- one extension you use every day;
- one part of the administration;
- installation on one kind of server or database.
Building trust
- Finish what you start, or say clearly that you stopped.
- Follow the rules of
CONTRIBUTING.mdwithout being reminded: prefixed commit messages, the manifest, tests, squash and rebase. - Answer review comments promptly and politely.
- Help newcomers in your area (Welcoming newcomers).
Keeping a record
A list of your merged pull requests, issues and answers is useful for you and for anyone who wants to hire you.
git shortlog -sn shows authors in the history; Tracking your contributions
shows a simple way to keep your own list.
Related pages
- Paths through the community
- From contributor to maintainer
- The advocacy ladder
- Part 1: From user to developer
- Free documentation: this page is free to copy, translate and improve under the GNU FDL 1.3.
Become an Exponential Partner
Partners share their information, provide funding, contribute back and develop the products with us, and that is how Exponential grows. A partner website and dashboard are planned for mid-2027: please become a partner today to speed up our growth rate and land new features faster.