Open Source Repositories
Tags: hacktoberfest, beginners, programming, opensource
Published: 2022-10-07 07:25:51

When I started coding, the idea of contributing to open source code was pretty intimidating.

Like, can I really change your code and you don't mind? What if I screw up? How do I even find where to contribute?

Only later I understood that some of the questions were due to my lack of understanding. However, finding repositories to contribute is often casual rather than intentional.

So, here is a list of repositories you might find interesting. 

1. For Beginners & First Contributors
2. Other Repositories
3. Big Repos In Tech
4. From The Community
4. How To Contribute

Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments

## For Beginners & First Contributors

- [Firstcontributions](https://firstcontributions.github.io/). This is where you want to start with open source! They even list other open source projects.
- [Up-for-grabs](https://up-for-grabs.net/#/). This is a list of projects which have curated tasks specifically for new contributors.
- [Good First Issues](https://goodfirstissues.com/). A list of projects that have simple issues for newcomers.
- [goodfirstissue.dev](goodfirstissue.dev). Another list of projects that have simple issues for newcomers.

![Developers working together](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/awsqu7jtnfhbu9j19g4f.png)

## Other Repositories
In no particular order:

- [Freecodecamp](https://github.com/freeCodeCamp/freeCodeCamp), you can contribute with code and with translations
- [ReactPlay](https://github.com/reactplay), a growing platforms that describe itself as "An Opensource platform for React developers to learn, create and share ReactJS Projects."
- [Coding Interview University](https://github.com/jwasham/coding-interview-university) 
- [Forem Self-Host](https://github.com/forem/selfhost). You should probably know Forem. But in case you don't, just know that DEV is hosted on it.
- [EbookFoundation](https://github.com/EbookFoundation). By contributing to this repo you hlp their mission: "Making the world safe for free ebooks."
- [The Algorithms](https://github.com/TheAlgorithms). This is an "Open Source resource for learning Data Structures & Algorithms and their implementation in any Programming Language". Therefore, you can contribute across many different languages and learn something about Data Structures & Algorithms.
- [Project-based learning](https://github.com/practical-tutorials/project-based-learning#javascript). list of programming tutorials in different languages.
- [Public APIs](https://github.com/public-apis/public-apis). Described as "A collective list of free APIs for use in software and web development"
- [Developer Roadmap](https://github.com/kamranahmedse/developer-roadmap/blob/master/readme.md). I am sure many of you have seen pictures of "The Roadmap to Learn XYZ". Here is a way to contribute or interact with a roadmap just for you.
- [Professional Programming](https://github.com/charlax/professional-programming). As reported, The goal of this page is to make you a more proficient developer. If you have excellent resources, you can try to open a PR and include them here. But in any csae, I wanted to include this because it seems super interesting.
- [The System Design Primer](https://github.com/donnemartin/system-design-primer). Another epic learning resource that could benefit from your help. 
- [Every Programmer Should Know](https://github.com/mtdvio/every-programmer-should-know). A collection of (mostly) technical things every software developer should know. Backed by a community of developers, of course.
- [Build your own X](https://github.com/codecrafters-io/build-your-own-x). Learn how to re-create some tech following step-by-step guides. 
- [List of Free Learning Resources In Many Languages](https://github.com/EbookFoundation/free-programming-books). Once again, you can learn and contribute.
- [Awesome](https://github.com/sindresorhus/awesome). This is simply awesome. A list of lists of resources. I should remind you that your time on this planet is limited. Most likely you won't be able to read everything. 
- [CodeTriage](https://www.codetriage.com/). Another list of open-source projects by open issues. The intent is clear: "Help out your favorite open source projects and become a better developer while doing it."

## Big Repos In Tech

List of big names, by starred, open for contribution. This is not exaustive.

- [Vue](https://github.com/vuejs/vue) - 200k
- [React](https://github.com/facebook/react) - 196k
- [TensorFlow](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow) - 168k
- [Bootstrap](https://github.com/twbs/bootstrap) - 160k
- [Python](https://github.com/TheAlgorithms/Python) - 146k
- [Flutter](https://github.com/flutter/flutter) - 146k
- [gitignore](https://github.com/github/gitignore) - 139k
- [Linux](https://github.com/torvalds/linux) - 139k
- [VSCode](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode) - 137k
- [React Native](https://github.com/facebook/react-native) - 105k
- [Electron](https://github.com/electron/electron) - 104k
- [Go](https://github.com/golang/go) - 104k
- [d3](https://github.com/d3/d3) - 103k
- [Node](https://github.com/nodejs/node) - 91k
- [Angular](https://github.com/angular/angular) - 84k
- [Svelte](https://github.com/sveltejs/svelte) - 62k

## From The Community

In no particular order:
- @verisimilitude11 - [DNAnalyzer](https://github.com/Verisimilitude11/DNAnalyzer) offers both code and no-code [contributions opportunities](https://github.com/Verisimilitude11/DNAnalyzer). 
- @ecyrbe - [Zodios](https://www.zodios.org/) | End-to-end typesafe REST API toolbox. You can simply start by trying it and fix any bug you find. Read the comments for more ideas!
- @aatmaj - [Basic Memory Game](
https://github.com/Aatmaj-Zephyr/Basic-memory-game)
- @rocambille - Enrich your objects with [Elo](https://github.com/rocambille/elo) rating. Contribute with typescript and unit tests.
- @renhiyama - [Reejs](https://github.com/rovelstars/reejs) wants you to "_Make Sites Faster, without the need of building anything!_"
- @andypiper - [awesome-modern-twitter-api](https://github.com/andypiper/awesome-modern-twitter-api). This is an Awesome List, so, in the words of Andy, "it’s low code (mostly a markdown document to add to or improve); but it does require a level of interest in the relevant topic, and ideally some testing"


- **Your Project?** Drop a message in the comments and I will add it as long as it is not going to be monetized.


## How to contribute

Here is a nice article that explains [how to contribute to open source projects](https://opensource.guide/how-to-contribute/).