Hey everyone! I'm a rising senior majoring in Computer Science, currently doing some undergrad research in AI/ML remotely. While this research will definitely help with my graduation and provide valuable experience, I often find myself unsure of where to dive in—there are just too many files to sift through. I've always wanted to contribute to an open-source project, and now feels like the right time to start, especially since I want to remain involved in research. I'm looking for advice on how to find beginner-friendly open source projects and how to get involved without being overwhelmed. Any tips?
3 Answers
Many open-source projects label their initial tasks as 'good first issues.' Start with those and follow the project’s contribution guidelines, which are usually in the repo. Just a heads up: if you’re working with AI, be careful about your commits. Make sure they're not just AI-generated junk since that can harm your reputation and might get you blocked from projects.
One great way to start is by looking for bugs in an open-source project you already use. Try submitting a fix for a small bug or adding a minor feature that won't disrupt anything. Focus on software you’re familiar with; it’ll make it easier to contribute!
I just found this handy list on UpGrad for beginners! Check it out: [https://www.upgrad.com/blog/open-source-projects-for-beginners/](https://www.upgrad.com/blog/open-source-projects-for-beginners/). Planning to explore the projects they recommend!
You might want to try using http://goodfirstissues.com/. It's a solid resource for finding beginner-friendly issues across various projects that are looking for contributions!
Thanks a bunch!!
That's a really valid point! I believe it’s okay to use AI for understanding the project, but the actual contributions should definitely be handled by us humans.