Contribute

Welcome to KUWoC! This guide will help you get started with contributing to the participating organizations’ projects.

Understanding KUWoC Contributions

KUWoC is a 2-month long program where you contribute to open-source projects from participating organizations. Your contributions help real-world projects while you learn and grow as a developer.

Finding Projects

Visit the Organizations page to browse all participating organizations and their projects. Each organization has different focus areas, tech stacks, and contribution opportunities.

Before You Start

Read Organization Guidelines

Each organization has their own contribution guidelines. Before making any contributions, you must:

• Read the organization’s specific contributing guidelines thoroughly
• Understand their code of conduct
• Follow their development workflow
• Respect their coding standards and conventions

What to Look For

When exploring an organization’s repository, check for:

• CONTRIBUTING.md - Detailed contribution guidelines
• CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md - Community standards and expectations
• README.md - Project overview and setup instructions
• Issues labeled good-first-issue, junior-job,good-first-pr - Great starting points
• Pull request templates - Required format for submissions

General Contribution Workflow

While each organization may have specific requirements, here’s a typical workflow:

1. Choose a Project

Browse the Organizations page and pick a project that:

• Matches your interests and skills
• Has clear documentation
• Has open issues you can work on

2. Set Up Your Environment

# Fork the repository on GitHub

# Clone your fork
git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/PROJECT_NAME.git

# Add upstream remote
git remote add upstream https://github.com/ORGANIZATION/PROJECT_NAME.git

# Install dependencies (check project README)
npm install  # or yarn, pip, etc.

3. Find an Issue

• Look for issues labeled good-first-issue, kuwoc, help-wanted, or beginner-friendly
• Read the issue description carefully
• Comment on the issue to express your interest before starting work
• Wait for maintainer approval if required

4. Make Your Changes

# Create a new branch
git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name

# Make your changes
# Write clean, documented code
# Follow the organization's style guide

# Test your changes thoroughly
npm test  # or the project's test command

# Commit with clear messages
git commit -m "Add: feature description"

5. Submit a Pull Request

# Push to your fork
git push origin feature/your-feature-name

# Open a pull request on GitHub
# Fill out the PR template completely
# Reference the issue you're addressing
# Provide clear description of your changes

6. Respond to Feedback

• Maintainers may request changes
• Respond promptly and professionally
• Make requested changes and push updates
• Engage in constructive discussion

Types of Contributions

You can contribute in many ways:

• Code: Bug fixes, new features, performance improvements
• Documentation: Improving README, tutorials, API docs
• Testing: Writing tests, reporting bugs, testing features

Best Practices

Communication

• Be respectful and professional
• Ask questions when unclear
• Provide context in your issues and PRs
• Respond to maintainer feedback promptly

Code Quality

• Write clean, readable code
• Follow the project’s coding conventions
• Add comments where necessary
• Include tests for new features
• Keep commits atomic and well-described

Before Submitting

• Test your changes thoroughly
• Update documentation if needed
• Follow the organization’s commit message format
• Ensure your code passes all tests
• Rebase on latest upstream if needed

Getting Help

If you’re stuck or have questions:

1. Check the organization’s documentation - Most answers are there
2. Search existing issues - Someone may have asked before
3. Ask in the issue comments - Maintainers are there to help
4. Join community channels - Discord, Slack, or other platforms
5. Reach out to KUWoC organizers - For program-related questions

Important Reminders

Organization-Specific Rules

Every organization is different. Always prioritize their specific guidelines over this general guide. When in doubt, ask the maintainers!

Quality Over Quantity

Focus on making meaningful contributions rather than numerous small ones. A well-thought-out PR is more valuable than many rushed ones.

Respect Maintainers’ Time

Maintainers are often volunteers. Be patient, follow their guidelines, and make their job easier by submitting high-quality, well-documented contributions.

Ready to Contribute?

Head over to the Organizations page, find a project that excites you, read their contribution guidelines thoroughly, and start making a difference!

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Happy Contributing! Remember, every expert was once a beginner. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn along the way.