Step 1: Decide to find one open-source project to contribute 😎

Step 2: Keep looking 👀

Step 3: They are all intimidating, is that normal? 😑

Step 4: What if I contributed to a project I have lots of experience with, like Ruby on Rails? I’d love to understand more about this tool I use every day 🤔

Step 5: OMG, the code is huge and scary, Will this even run on my machine? 🥴

Step 6: This is not for me. Eventually, I’ll find one that is more welcoming to open source beginners like me 😔

Step 7: That never happens. You will try again after next year’s Railsconf.

If you ever get to the rails repository hoping to contribute you see +384 open issues. Which one should you pick? How do people even get started? Even worse: they all seem pretty hard.

If this daunting feeling is familiar to you, welcome to the club my friend because we know how it feels like. We can help you!

Get started with contributing to Ruby on Rails today with this Free Guide

If you’re ready to finally start your Ruby on Rails contribution journey, we are here to help you.

Grab your “How to Contribute to Ruby on Rails” guide to get:

  • a step by step guide on how to become a new Rails contributor
  • processes and practices for engaging with the Rails codebase for the first time
  • answers to the most common questions when you get started
  • tips & tricks from our experience navigating the codebase
  • bits on how to ask for code reviews & feedback

This is your Ruby on Rails Contribution Onboarding Buddy 🤗

The lessons are tips from our experience with contributing to Ruby on Rails for the first time on the Open Source Thursdays sessions. And our sessions with Rails experts, such as Rafael França, Aaron Patterson (tenderlove), and Chris Oliver.

Grab your copy to get started with actionable strategies that you can follow – in less than 2 hours per week.

Download our FREE How to contribute to Ruby on Rails Guide for getting started today

If you’re ready to commit to your RailsConf resolution – for real, this time! – just drop your email address in the box below:

You’ll also be added to hexdevs weekly newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time.

When you get tiny wins with your adventure, let us know and we can add them to this post. We love to see people getting results from it and helping the community :)

Don’t forget to share it with your friends and colleagues who want to get started with contributing to Ruby on Rails.