Open Source Contribution Checklist

What this checklist is

A step-by-step open source contribution checklist, from choosing a project to getting a pull request merged and becoming a regular contributor. It covers project health signals, CONTRIBUTING files and sign-off rules, claiming issues, the fork and branch workflow, writing a pull request maintainers can review quickly, handling feedback, and reporting security problems the right way.

It has 8 chapters and 38 checks, each with how to verify it and how much it matters. For students and developers new to open source.

Chapter by chapter

1. Pick a healthy project (5 checks)

Before you write any code, make sure the project is open source, alive and likely to review what you send.

2. Read the rules before you code (4 checks)

Every project writes down how it wants contributions made. Find those rules and set up the project locally before changing anything.

3. Find and claim an issue (5 checks)

Pick work that the project actually wants, and tell people you are on it so nobody duplicates your effort.

4. Fork, branch and keep in sync (5 checks)

The standard GitHub contribution workflow: your own fork, one branch per change, and an up-to-date base.

5. Open a pull request maintainers can review (6 checks)

A good pull request is small, explains itself, links its issue and passes the checks before anyone has to ask.

6. After you submit: review and follow-up (5 checks)

How to respond to feedback, chase a stalled pull request politely and close the loop either way.

7. Security reports and community conduct (4 checks)

Security problems need a private route, and every public comment is part of your record.

8. Grow from first pull request to regular contributor (4 checks)

Depth in one project builds trust, skill and a record that speaks for itself.

How it works on Sefism

The checklist is one page: each check has a severity (must, should or nice to have) and a concrete way to verify it, and members can tick checks off as they go. The opening chapters are open to everyone. Adding it to your account uses credits, opens every chapter and keeps your progress.

Every claim is checked against the sources listed on the page (8 cited).