Understanding Open Source Contribution Guidelines and Code of Conduct

Leonid Bugaev
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11 min read
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Before you write a single line of code for an open source project, there’s something you need to do first: read the rules. Every experienced contributor knows that understanding a project’s contribution guidelines and code of conduct is the foundation of a successful contribution. Yet many new contributors skip this step and wonder why their first pull requests get rejected or require extensive revisions.

The reality is that most open source projects have established processes that they expect all contributors to follow. These aren’t arbitrary bureaucratic hurdles. They exist because project maintainers have learned through experience what makes contributions easier to review, merge, and maintain. When you take the time to understand these documents, you’re setting yourself up for a smoother contribution experience and showing respect for the open source community that built the project.

In this guide, we’ll explore what contribution guidelines and codes of conduct contain, why they matter, and how to read them effectively so your contributions get accepted.

What Are Contribution Guidelines?

Contribution guidelines are documents that outline exactly how to contribute to an open source project. They serve as the definitive reference for anyone wanting to add code, documentation, or other improvements to the project. Think of them as the project’s instruction manual for contributions.

You’ll typically find these guidelines in one of several locations:

The purpose of contribution guidelines extends beyond mere documentation. They standardize the contribution process across all contributors, which saves project maintainers significant time. Instead of explaining the same requirements to dozens of new contributors each month, maintainers can point to the guidelines. This standardization also sets clear expectations for contributors and dramatically reduces the back-and-forth on pull requests.

When you see detailed contribution guidelines, it’s usually a sign that the project is mature and well-maintained. The open source community values projects that invest time in documenting their processes.

Key Sections in Contribution Guidelines

Most comprehensive contribution guidelines cover several essential areas. Understanding these sections will help you navigate any project’s requirements.

1. Getting Started / Setup

This section covers everything you need to prepare your development environment. You’ll find:

Best practices suggest following these instructions exactly as written, even if you think you know a better way. The project maintainers have established these steps based on what works consistently.

2. Finding Issues to Work On

Quality contribution guidelines help new contributors find appropriate work. Look for:

This information is crucial for new contributors who want to make meaningful contributions without stepping on others’ work.

3. Coding Standards

Every project has its own coding style, and contribution guidelines document these expectations:

Following coding standards isn’t just about aesthetics. It ensures that code reviews focus on logic and functionality rather than style debates.

4. Commit Message Format

Many open source projects require specific commit message formats. The most popular is Conventional Commits:

feat(api): add user authentication endpoint

- Add /auth/login endpoint
- Add JWT token generation
- Add tests for auth flow

Closes #123

This format helps with automated changelog generation and makes the project history readable. Tools like commitlint and husky can enforce these formats automatically, so check if the project uses them.

5. Pull Request Process

The review process for pull requests varies significantly between projects. Guidelines typically specify:

Understanding the review process helps you submit PRs that are easy to review and merge.

6. Testing Requirements

Testing is non-negotiable in most mature open source projects:

Always run tests locally before submitting your pull request. Nothing frustrates project maintainers more than PRs that break the build.

What is a Code of Conduct?

While contribution guidelines cover the technical aspects of contributing, a code of conduct addresses the behavioral standards expected of all community members. It defines how people should interact within the open source community around the project.

A code of conduct exists for several important reasons:

The most widely adopted code of conduct is the Contributor Covenant, used by projects including React, Ruby on Rails, and Swift. Kubernetes follows the CNCF Code of Conduct, which is adapted from the Contributor Covenant. Other popular options include the Django Code of Conduct and the Rust Code of Conduct. Each establishes similar principles while reflecting the specific values of their communities.

A project with a clear code of conduct signals that its maintainers care about building an inclusive open source community. This is particularly important for new contributors who may feel intimidated entering an established project.

Key Elements of a Code of Conduct

Understanding what codes of conduct contain helps you know what behavior to expect from others and what’s expected of you.

Expected Behavior

Most codes of conduct emphasize:

These expectations create a foundation for productive collaboration across diverse teams.

Unacceptable Behavior

Codes of conduct clearly define what behaviors violate community standards:

Clear definitions help everyone understand the boundaries.

Enforcement

Effective codes of conduct include enforcement mechanisms:

These mechanisms ensure the code of conduct isn’t just words on a page but a living document that shapes community behavior.

Why These Documents Matter for New Contributors

For someone making their first open source contribution, these documents provide essential signals about project health.

Well-maintained projects have clear guidelines. When you see detailed contribution guidelines and an enforced code of conduct, you’re looking at a project where someone cares about the contributor experience. This usually means responsive project maintainers and a constructive review process.

Clear expectations protect everyone. When you know exactly what’s expected, you can focus on writing good code rather than guessing at unstated requirements. This protection extends to maintainers too, who can point to documented standards rather than making subjective judgments.

Watch for red flags. Projects lacking these documents may present challenges:

While a missing CONTRIBUTING.md doesn’t automatically mean a project is problematic, its presence indicates thoughtful project management.

How to Read Guidelines Effectively

Not every contribution requires reading every word of the guidelines. Here’s a practical approach based on best practices:

  1. Skim first: Get an overview of the document structure so you know where to find specific information
  2. Focus on your task: Read sections relevant to your specific contribution deeply
  3. Check for templates: Look for PR templates and issue templates that structure your submission
  4. Note the tooling: Identify required formatters, linters, and test frameworks you’ll need to install
  5. Bookmark for reference: Keep the guidelines accessible during your contribution

This approach lets you move quickly while ensuring you don’t miss critical requirements.

Looking at how major projects handle these documents provides insight into best practices.

React’s Contribution Guidelines

React’s contribution guidelines emphasize several key areas. The project requires a Contributor License Agreement (CLA) before merging any contributions. Their guidelines detail semantic versioning practices, ensuring that contributors understand how their changes affect version numbers. The pull request process is thoroughly documented, with specific requirements for different types of changes. For new contributors, React clearly labels issues that are good starting points.

Kubernetes Contributing Guide

Kubernetes takes a unique approach with its Special Interest Group (SIG) structure. Different aspects of the project are managed by different SIGs, each with its own guidelines and requirements. The testing requirements are extensive, reflecting the critical infrastructure role Kubernetes plays. Notably, the project documents multiple ways to contribute beyond code, including documentation, design, and community management. This welcoming approach has helped build one of the largest open source communities.

VS Code Guidelines

Microsoft’s VS Code has guidelines that emphasize issue management. Contributors are expected to search existing issues before creating new ones, reducing duplicate reports. The feature request process is clearly defined, with specific criteria for what features get considered. For extension developers, separate contribution guidelines address the unique aspects of extension development. This organization helps the project maintain high velocity while staying accessible to new contributors.

Creating Your Own Guidelines (For Maintainers)

If you maintain an open source project, investing in contribution guidelines pays dividends in contributor satisfaction and reduced support burden.

Start with templates available from GitHub or GitLab. These provide a solid foundation covering common requirements. Customize them to reflect your project’s specific needs, but resist the urge to document every possible scenario. Being specific without being overwhelming is the goal.

Include concrete examples wherever possible. Showing a correctly formatted commit message or a well-structured PR is more helpful than abstract descriptions. As your project evolves, update the guidelines to reflect new processes or tools.

Always link to your code of conduct prominently. New contributors should understand behavioral expectations as clearly as they understand technical requirements.

Finding Projects with Clear Guidelines

When you’re ready to make your first open source contribution, prioritize projects that have invested in contributor documentation. These projects are more likely to provide a positive experience for new contributors, with faster review processes and more constructive feedback.

On helpwanted.dev, you can browse thousands of open source projects that have issues specifically labeled for new contributors. Look for projects with comprehensive CONTRIBUTING.md files and active codes of conduct. These indicators suggest a welcoming open source community that values your contributions.

Conclusion

Contribution guidelines and codes of conduct are the foundation of sustainable open source development. They transform individual contributions into coordinated community efforts, ensuring that projects can grow while maintaining quality and inclusivity.

The key takeaway is simple: always read before contributing. The time you spend understanding a project’s guidelines is an investment that pays off in smoother reviews, faster merges, and a better experience for everyone involved.

When you find a project with clear guidelines and an active code of conduct, you’ve found a project that wants your contributions. These documents aren’t barriers. They’re invitations from project maintainers who have prepared the way for your success.

Ready to find your next contribution opportunity? Browse open source projects with good-first-issue labels at helpwanted.dev and put what you’ve learned into practice.

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