Getting Started with
Open Source

Your trusted partner for taking your project from closed to open.

This guide will help you understand the fundamentals, prepare your project, and release it publicly with confidence.

Why Go Open Source?

Open source is more than code — it's a mindset. When you make your project open, you:

Encourage transparency and collaboration

Attract contributors and grow a community

Build credibility for your work or product

Create opportunities for learning and visibility

Your Open Source Experience

Step 1

Assess Readiness

Before going public, review your repository and make sure it's ready to be shared.

Quick checklist

Your code is clean and free of sensitive data (API keys, credentials, etc.)
You've removed all private or company-specific information
The documentation is understandable by someone outside your team
The project builds and runs without internal dependencies
You've discussed ownership and licensing with your team

Tip: A "clean repo" builds trust. Review your commit history and configuration files before opening the project.

Step 2

Choose the Right License

A license defines how others can use, modify, and distribute your code. Without one, your project is not legally open source.

Popular choices

MIT

Simple and permissive. Ideal for personal and startup projects.

Apache 2.0

Adds patent protection. Common for corporate or large-scale use.

GPLv3

Requires derivatives to remain open. Used for community-driven tools.

Resource: choosealicense.com

Once selected, create a file named LICENSE at the root of your repository.

Step 3

Document Everything

Good documentation is the heart of a healthy open-source project. It lowers the entry barrier for newcomers and encourages contributions.

Essential files to include

README.md

The face of your project. Explains what it is, how to use it, and why it matters.

CONTRIBUTING.md

Guides people on how to propose changes or new features.

CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md

Defines acceptable behavior in your community.

SECURITY.md

Explains how to report vulnerabilities responsibly.

Optional but recommended: add issue and pull request templates in .github/.

Step 4

Structure Your Repository

A clear structure helps others explore and contribute confidently.

Example layout

my-project/
├── src/
├── tests/
├── docs/
├── README.md
├── LICENSE
├── CONTRIBUTING.md
├── CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
└── SECURITY.md

Keep it simple. The goal is clarity — not complexity.

Step 5

Build for Collaboration

Once your project is public, you're not just sharing code — you're inviting people to join your journey.

Best practices

Use Issues and Pull Requests on GitHub to manage contributions
Label beginner-friendly tasks with tags like 'good first issue'
Automate checks (linting, tests) to maintain quality
Be kind and responsive — community health starts with communication

"Open source is not about perfection. It's about progress through collaboration."

Step 6

Manage Security & Maintenance

Opening your code also means maintaining it responsibly.

Recommendations

Add a SECURITY.md file with a private contact for disclosures
Regularly review dependencies for vulnerabilities
Automate tests and CI/CD if possible
Communicate updates clearly through releases or changelogs

Responsible open source means balancing transparency with safety.

Step 7

Share and Grow

Your open-source journey doesn't end with the release — it starts there.

Announce your project on social media and developer platforms
Tag your repo with relevant topics (e.g., 'open-source', 'nextjs', 'community')
Engage with early contributors — they are your first advocates
Consider joining the OST Verified Program for visibility and recognition

Additional Resources

Official Open Source Guides

https://opensource.guide

Community Health Files

https://docs.github.com/en/communities/setting-up-your-project-for-healthy-contributions

Choosing a License

https://choosealicense.com

Accessibility Checklist

https://www.a11yproject.com/checklist/

Contributor Covenant

https://www.contributor-covenant.org/

Build your projects,
find your contributors

Highlighting ambitious open source projects to offer them an
initial wave of visibility, committed contributors and support.

Command Palette

Getting Started with Open Source