Contributing to open source projects is one of the most effective ways to accelerate your programming career, build real-world skills, and connect with developers worldwide. But with millions of repositories on GitHub alone, finding the right project can feel overwhelming for first-time contributors.
The good news? Many open source projects actively welcome new contributors and have dedicated resources to help you succeed. The open source community thrives when fresh perspectives join the conversation, and maintainers understand that today’s beginners are tomorrow’s core contributors.
This guide presents a curated list of beginner-friendly open source projects across multiple programming languages. Each project has been selected based on community responsiveness, documentation quality, and the availability of good first issue labels. Whether you’re comfortable with JavaScript, Python, Go, Rust, or Java, you’ll find a welcoming project here.
To find current open issues in these projects, check out helpwanted.dev, which aggregates “good first issue” and “help wanted” labels from thousands of repositories, making your first contribution easier to find.
What Makes a Project Beginner-Friendly?
Not all open source projects are created equal when it comes to welcoming new contributors. Before diving into specific recommendations, let’s understand what separates truly beginner-friendly projects from the rest.
Active and Responsive Maintainers: The best projects for first-time contributors have maintainers who regularly review pull requests and provide constructive feedback. Look for projects where PRs receive responses within a few days, not months.
Clear Contribution Guidelines: A well-maintained CONTRIBUTING.md file signals that the project values new contributors. This document should outline the development setup process, coding standards, and how to submit changes.
Enforced Code of Conduct: The open source community should feel safe and welcoming. Projects with clearly stated and enforced codes of conduct create better environments for beginners to learn without fear of harassment or dismissive behavior.
Comprehensive Documentation: Good documentation reduces the barrier to entry. This includes README files, API documentation, and ideally, architecture overviews that help you understand how the codebase fits together.
Labeled Issues for Beginners: Projects that use labels like “good first issue,” “beginner-friendly,” or “help wanted” demonstrate intentional effort to guide new contributors toward appropriate tasks.
Active Community Channels: Discord servers, Slack workspaces, or forums where you can ask questions and get help make a significant difference in your contribution experience.
Regular Release Cycles: Active development indicates the project is maintained and your contributions won’t languish in limbo. Check for recent commits and consistent release schedules.
JavaScript/TypeScript Projects
JavaScript remains one of the most accessible programming languages for beginners entering the open source community. These projects offer excellent entry points for your first contribution.
freeCodeCamp
freeCodeCamp stands as one of the largest open source projects in the world, with a mission to help millions of people learn to code for free. The platform itself is open source, and the organization actively encourages contributions from learners at all levels.
Why it’s perfect for beginners: The freeCodeCamp community has built extensive documentation specifically for new contributors. Their contributor chat is monitored by helpful community members, and the codebase uses familiar technologies: JavaScript, React, and Node.js.
Best starting points: Translation contributions, curriculum improvements, bug fixes in the learning platform, and documentation updates. The repository consistently maintains a healthy list of good first issue labels.
Tech stack: JavaScript, React, Node.js, MongoDB
Browse freeCodeCamp issues on helpwanted.dev to find current opportunities.
EddieHub Community Projects
Eddie Jaoude’s EddieHub community has created several open source projects specifically designed to help first-time contributors make their initial pull requests in a supportive environment.
Why it’s perfect for beginners: These projects exist primarily to help people learn the contribution process. Maintainers expect questions and provide patient guidance. The community Discord is exceptionally welcoming.
Featured projects: BioDrop (formerly LinkFree) helps developers create link-in-bio pages while learning open source contribution workflows. The project uses Next.js and TypeScript.
Best starting points: Adding your profile to BioDrop, fixing documentation typos, and implementing small feature requests.
React and Next.js Documentation
Contributing to documentation for major frameworks like React and Next.js provides an excellent entry point that doesn’t require deep framework expertise. Documentation contributions are highly valued by the open source community.
Why it’s perfect for beginners: You learn the framework deeply while contributing, and the barrier is lower than code contributions. Both projects have clear guidelines for documentation PRs.
Best starting points: Fixing typos, improving code examples, adding missing explanations, and translating content.
Python Projects
Python’s readability and extensive ecosystem make it an ideal language for new contributors. These open source projects welcome beginners with well-organized contribution processes.
Pandas
Pandas is the cornerstone data analysis library in the Python ecosystem, used by data scientists and analysts worldwide. Despite its complexity, the project maintains excellent resources for new contributors.
Why it’s perfect for beginners: Pandas has a dedicated “good first issue” program with detailed explanations for each issue. The contributing guide walks through setup step by step, and the community actively mentors first-time contributors.
Best starting points: Documentation improvements, adding unit tests, small bug fixes, and enhancing docstrings. Start with issues labeled “good first issue” or “Docs.”
Tech stack: Python, NumPy, Cython
Scikit-learn
This machine learning library powers countless ML applications and maintains one of the best-organized contribution processes in the Python ecosystem.
Why it’s perfect for beginners: Scikit-learn’s contribution documentation is legendary for its thoroughness. The project has clear workflows for different contribution types, and maintainers provide detailed code review feedback.
Best starting points: Documentation, adding examples to the gallery, improving test coverage, and small bug fixes. The project tags issues by difficulty and type.
Tech stack: Python, NumPy, SciPy, Cython
Home Assistant
Home Assistant is an open source home automation platform that integrates with thousands of devices and services. The project’s modular architecture makes it accessible for new contributors.
Why it’s perfect for beginners: With over 3,300 integrations, there are always opportunities to improve existing components or add new ones. The community is exceptionally active and helpful, and Home Assistant was recognized as a top open source project by contributors in 2025.
Best starting points: Improving integration documentation, fixing small bugs in integrations you use, and adding support for devices you own.
Tech stack: Python, asyncio, YAML
Go Projects
Go has become the language of choice for cloud infrastructure and DevOps tooling. These open source projects represent some of the best learning opportunities in the Go ecosystem.
Kubernetes
Kubernetes, the industry-standard container orchestration platform, is a Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) graduated project that has invested heavily in programs for new contributors.
Why it’s perfect for beginners: Kubernetes has one of the most structured contribution programs of any open source project. The “good first issue” label is actively curated, and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide focused communities within the larger project.
Best starting points: Documentation improvements through the kubernetes/website repository, small CLI improvements in kubectl, and fixing labeled issues in smaller subprojects.
Important note: As a Linux Foundation project, Kubernetes offers mentorship opportunities through LFX Mentorship and pathways to Google Summer of Code. The project’s contribution ladder provides clear progression for new contributors.
Tech stack: Go, Docker, etcd
Hugo
Hugo, the popular static site generator, offers a more approachable codebase for developers looking to contribute to Go open source projects.
Why it’s perfect for beginners: Hugo has clear contribution guidelines, responsive maintainers, and a welcoming community. The project scope is more manageable than massive platforms like Kubernetes.
Best starting points: Documentation improvements, small bug fixes, and theme contributions. Issues labeled “good first issue” provide entry points with context.
Tech stack: Go, HTML templating
Prometheus
Prometheus, the monitoring and alerting toolkit, is another CNCF project with excellent resources for new contributors looking to work on cloud-native infrastructure.
Why it’s perfect for beginners: As a CNCF project, Prometheus participates in structured mentorship programs and Google Summer of Code. The project has clear contribution guidelines and labeled issues for newcomers.
Best starting points: Documentation, metric exporters for services you use, and small bug fixes.
Tech stack: Go, PromQL
Rust Projects
Rust’s growing popularity and welcoming community make it an excellent choice for developers interested in systems programming. These projects actively support new contributors.
Rust Language (rustc)
Contributing to the Rust compiler itself might seem intimidating, but the Rust project has invested significantly in making this accessible for newcomers.
Why it’s perfect for beginners: The Rust project has dedicated working groups focused on mentoring new contributors. The “E-easy” and “E-mentor” labels identify issues with lower complexity and available mentorship.
Best starting points: Improving error messages, documentation, and small compiler fixes. The rust-lang/rust repository has extensive contributor documentation.
Tech stack: Rust, LLVM
Servo
Servo, the web browser engine written in Rust, provides opportunities to learn about browser internals while contributing to a significant open source project. Now managed by Linux Foundation Europe, Servo is actively developed with regular releases in 2025.
Why it’s perfect for beginners: Servo labels issues by difficulty and provides guidance for newcomers. The project focuses on parallelism and safety, offering learning opportunities in advanced Rust concepts. Note that the project is seeking more contributors to help maintain its growing codebase.
Best starting points: Issues labeled “good first issue,” CSS property implementations, and documentation improvements.
Tech stack: Rust, WebRender
Java Projects
Java’s enterprise dominance means contributing to Java open source projects can directly impact your career. These projects offer excellent entry points.
Spring Framework
The Spring Framework ecosystem powers a significant portion of enterprise Java applications worldwide. Multiple repositories within the Spring umbrella welcome contributions.
Why it’s perfect for beginners: Spring’s documentation is extensive, and the contribution process is well-documented. Spring Boot, Spring Security, and other projects each have their own issue trackers with labeled beginner issues.
Best starting points: Documentation improvements, sample applications, and small bug fixes. Look for issues labeled “ideal-for-contribution” or “for: new contributor.”
Tech stack: Java, Maven/Gradle
Elasticsearch
Elasticsearch, the distributed search and analytics engine, maintains active contribution programs for newcomers.
Why it’s perfect for beginners: Clear contribution guidelines, responsive maintainers, and issues labeled specifically for new contributors. The codebase is well-organized. Note that Elasticsearch returned to open source licensing (AGPL) in late 2024, making community contributions more straightforward.
Best starting points: Documentation, small bug fixes, and improvements to the Java High-Level REST Client.
Tech stack: Java, Lucene, Gradle
Non-Code Contributions
Not ready to submit code changes? Many open source projects welcome and value non-code contributions just as highly. These opportunities provide excellent entry points for first-time contributors.
Documentation Projects
MDN Web Docs: Mozilla’s documentation for web technologies is entirely open source. Contributions to MDN help millions of developers worldwide and require no code review process for content changes.
React Documentation: The React team actively seeks documentation improvements. Contributing to docs helps you learn React deeply while supporting the community.
Python Documentation: Contributing to Python’s official documentation is an excellent way to give back while solidifying your own understanding.
Design and UX
OpenMoji: This open source emoji project welcomes design contributions for new emoji and improvements to existing ones. Perfect for designers wanting to contribute to open source projects.
Godot Engine: The popular open source game engine needs UI/UX improvements, making it ideal for designers interested in game development tools.
Translation and Localization
Many major open source projects need help translating their interfaces and documentation into other languages. This contribution type has a lower technical barrier while making a significant impact on the global open source community.
Projects actively seeking translation help include freeCodeCamp, Mozilla projects, and many Linux Foundation projects. Your first contribution through translation can lead to deeper involvement in the project.
CNCF Projects for Beginners
The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) project ecosystem provides structured paths for new contributors entering cloud-native development. CNCF projects follow consistent governance models and often participate in mentorship programs.
Why CNCF projects are excellent for beginners: Standardized contribution processes, active mentorship programs through LFX Mentorship, and connections to Google Summer of Code provide structured learning paths. The Linux Foundation’s backing ensures long-term project stability. CNCF also hosts events like KubeCon where you can connect directly with project maintainers.
Recommended CNCF projects for beginners:
- Kubernetes: Container orchestration with extensive mentorship programs
- Prometheus: Monitoring and alerting with clear contribution guidelines
- Envoy: Edge and service proxy with growing community
- Helm: Kubernetes package manager with accessible codebase
- containerd: Container runtime with welcoming maintainers
These projects often participate in Google Summer of Code, providing paid opportunities for extended contributions. The structured mentorship helps first-time contributors build skills systematically.
Project Comparison Table
| Project | Language | Difficulty | Community Size | Issue Response Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| freeCodeCamp | JavaScript | Low | Very Large | 1-3 days | Full-stack beginners |
| BioDrop | TypeScript | Very Low | Medium | < 1 day | Absolute beginners |
| Pandas | Python | Medium | Large | 2-5 days | Data-focused developers |
| Scikit-learn | Python | Medium | Large | 3-7 days | ML enthusiasts |
| Home Assistant | Python | Low-Medium | Very Large | 1-3 days | IoT/home automation fans |
| Kubernetes | Go | Medium-High | Very Large | Varies by SIG | Cloud-native developers |
| Hugo | Go | Low | Medium | 2-5 days | Go learners |
| Prometheus | Go | Medium | Large | 3-7 days | Monitoring enthusiasts |
| Rust (rustc) | Rust | Medium | Large | 1-3 days | Systems programmers |
| Servo | Rust | Medium | Medium | 3-7 days | Browser tech enthusiasts |
| Spring | Java | Medium | Very Large | 3-7 days | Enterprise developers |
| Elasticsearch | Java | Medium | Large | 3-7 days | Search/data engineers |
How to Choose the Right Project
With so many options, selecting your first project deserves careful thought. Here’s a framework for making the right choice.
Match Your Interests: Choose open source projects you actually use or care about. Contributing to tools you rely on provides natural motivation and context that pure learning exercises lack. Your first contribution should feel meaningful.
Match Your Skills: While stretching yourself is valuable, starting with familiar programming languages reduces friction. You’ll learn contribution workflows faster when you’re not simultaneously learning a new language.
Check Activity: Before investing time, verify the project is actively maintained. Look for recent commits, open and closed PRs, and maintainer activity. A project with thousands of stars but no commits in months may not be the best choice.
Evaluate Community Feel: Join community channels before contributing. Observe how maintainers and contributors interact. A supportive open source community makes a significant difference in your experience as a new contributor.
Issue Availability: Use helpwanted.dev to filter open source projects by language, difficulty, and issue type. Finding the right good first issue accelerates your path to first contribution.
Getting Started Checklist
Ready to make your first contribution? Follow this checklist:
- Choose a project from this list that matches your interests and skills
- Star and watch the repository on GitHub
- Read the CONTRIBUTING.md file thoroughly
- Join community channels (Discord, Slack, forums)
- Find a good first issue using helpwanted.dev
- Fork the repository and set up your development environment
- Follow the project’s workflow (branch naming, commit messages, etc.)
- Make your first contribution and submit a pull request
- Respond to review feedback promptly and graciously
- Celebrate your first contribution to open source!
Beyond Your First Contribution
Your first contribution to an open source project is just the beginning. As you become more comfortable with a project’s codebase and community, opportunities expand:
Increase Complexity: After a few good first issue completions, tackle medium-difficulty issues. Each contribution builds your understanding and reputation.
Join Discussions: Participate in issue discussions, RFC processes, and community meetings. Understanding project direction helps you identify impactful contributions.
Mentor Others: Once you’ve learned the ropes, help other first-time contributors. This strengthens the open source community and deepens your own expertise.
Consider Maintainership: Long-term contributors sometimes become maintainers. This responsibility comes with influence over project direction and deeper community involvement.
Conclusion
The open source projects listed here represent some of the best opportunities for new contributors in 2025. Whether you’re interested in web development with JavaScript, data science with Python, cloud infrastructure with Go, systems programming with Rust, or enterprise applications with Java, welcoming communities await your contribution.
Remember these key principles as you begin:
Start with what you use: Contributing to tools you rely on provides context and motivation.
Documentation counts: Your first contribution doesn’t need to be code. Documentation, translation, and design contributions are valuable.
Community matters: Join channels, ask questions, and be patient with yourself and others.
Every expert was once a beginner: The maintainers of major open source projects all started with their first nervous pull request. You’re joining a tradition that has built much of modern software.
Ready to find your first contribution? Browse all these projects’ issues and thousands more on helpwanted.dev, where you can filter by language, difficulty, and project type to find the perfect good first issue for your skills and interests.
The open source community is waiting to welcome you. Start contributing today.
Last updated: January 2025
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