Chapter 1: Finding your First Open Source Project
Finding the right first project matters more than making the perfect first contribution.
A good project sets you up for learning, confidence, and long-term engagement.
This guide helps you choose where to start.
The Goal of This Guide
By the end of this guide, you will:
- know where to look for open source projects
- understand how to evaluate a project quickly
- avoid common beginner traps
- choose one concrete project to engage with
This guide focuses on selection, not contribution yet.
Start From What You Already Use
The best first projects are often already in your workflow.
Think about:
- libraries you use regularly
- tools you rely on
- frameworks you enjoy
- CLIs you run often
Familiarity reduces cognitive load and speeds up understanding.
Where to Find Open Source Projects
Projects can be discovered through multiple entry points.
Common places include:
- repositories of tools you already use
- GitHub search and explore
- package registries
- recommendations from peers
- community-curated lists
Avoid starting from random trending repositories.
Using GitHub to Discover Projects
When browsing on GitHub, pay attention to:
- repository description
- recent activity
- open issues
- documentation quality
A project does not need to be popular to be healthy.
Signs of a Healthy Project
Healthy projects usually show:
- recent commits
- issues with thoughtful discussion
- maintainers responding respectfully
- clear documentation
- a defined scope
These signals matter more than star count.
Signals That a Project Is Beginner-Friendly
Look for:
good first issueorhelp wantedlabels- contribution guidelines
- clear issue descriptions
- welcoming tone in discussions
Beginner-friendly does not mean low-quality.
Projects to Be Careful With
Some projects are difficult first choices.
Be cautious with projects that:
- have no documentation
- show hostile communication
- have hundreds of unresolved issues
- lack maintainer responses
- are overly complex infrastructure
Difficulty without guidance slows learning.
Small Projects vs Large Projects
Small projects:
- offer faster feedback
- expose more of the codebase
- allow broader impact
Large projects:
- have stronger processes
- require more context
- can feel intimidating
Both are valid, but small projects often provide a better first experience.
Reading a Repository With Intent
When you open a repository, focus on:
- the README
- the folder structure
- recent commits
- open issues
You are not trying to understand everything — only enough to decide if it feels approachable.
Checking Activity and Maintenance
Look at:
- last commit date
- issue response times
- pull request activity
An inactive project is not necessarily bad, but it may limit learning opportunities.
Understanding Project Scope
Good first projects have:
- a clear purpose
- limited scope
- defined boundaries
Avoid projects that try to solve too many problems at once.
Aligning With Your Motivation
Choose a project that matches your goal:
- learning a new ecosystem
- improving existing skills
- contributing to something you care about
- understanding real-world workflows
Alignment increases persistence.
Avoiding the “Perfect Project” Trap
You do not need the perfect project.
You need:
- a real project
- real people
- real constraints
Action beats endless searching.
Making a Shortlist
Create a shortlist of 2–3 projects.
For each project, ask:
- Do I understand what it does?
- Does it feel active?
- Does the tone feel respectful?
- Can I imagine contributing something small?
Choose the one that feels least intimidating.
Commit to One Project
Commitment matters.
Pick one project and:
- bookmark it
- read its documentation
- follow its activity
You can always change later.
Reflection
Answer these questions:
- Why did I choose this project?
- What do I hope to learn from it?
- What feels unclear or intimidating?
Noticing uncertainty is part of the process.
You've Completed Chapter 1
Well done! You've learned about finding your first open source project.