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contributor docs: Reorganize contributor guide.

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- Offer more hand-holding at the start.
- Clean up dev environment setup steps.
- Move joining CZO later in the process.
- Move feedback section to feature suggestions page.
- Drop other non-coding info, as it exists elsewhere.
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Alya Abbott
2025-02-11 16:44:33 -08:00
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CONTRIBUTING.md
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# Contributing guide
Welcome to the Zulip community!
Welcome! This is a step-by-step guide on how to get started contributing code to
the [Zulip](https://zulip.com/) organized team chat [open-source
project](https://github.com/zulip). Thousands of people use Zulip every day, and
your work on Zulip will have a meaningful impact on their experience. We hope
you'll join us!
## Zulip development community
To learn about ways to contribute without writing code, please see our
suggestions for how you can [support the Zulip
project](https://zulip.com/help/support-zulip-project).
The primary communication forum for the Zulip community is the Zulip
server hosted at [chat.zulip.org](https://chat.zulip.org/):
## Learning from the docs
- **Users** and **administrators** of Zulip organizations stop by to
ask questions, offer feedback, and participate in product design
discussions.
- **Contributors to the project**, including the **core Zulip
development team**, discuss ongoing and future projects, brainstorm
ideas, and generally help each other out.
Zulip has a documentation-based approach to onboarding new contributors. As you
are getting started, this page will be your go-to for figuring out what to do
next. You will also explore other guides, learning about how to put together
your first pull request, diving into [Zulip's
subsystems](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/subsystems/index.html), and
much more. We hope you'll find this process to be a great learning experience.
Everyone is welcome to [sign up](https://chat.zulip.org/) and
participate — we love hearing from our users! Public channels in the
community receive thousands of messages a week. We recommend signing
up using the special invite links for
[users](https://chat.zulip.org/join/t5crtoe62bpcxyisiyglmtvb/),
[self-hosters](https://chat.zulip.org/join/wnhv3jzm6afa4raenedanfno/)
and
[contributors](https://chat.zulip.org/join/npzwak7vpmaknrhxthna3c7p/)
to get a curated list of initial channel subscriptions.
This page will guide you through the following steps:
To learn how to get started participating in the community, including [community
1. [Getting started](#getting-started)
1. [Finding an issue to work on](#finding-an-issue-to-work-on)
1. [Getting help](#getting-help) as you work on your first pull request
1. Learning [what makes a great Zulip contributor](#what-makes-a-great-zulip-contributor)
1. [Submitting a pull request](#submitting-a-pull-request)
1. [Going beyond the first issue](#beyond-the-first-issue)
Any time you feel lost, come back to this guide. The information you need is
likely somewhere on this page (perhaps in the list of [common
questions](#common-questions)), or in one of the many references it points to.
If you've done all you can with the documentation and are still feeling stuck,
join the [Zulip development community](https://zulip.com/development-community/)
to ask for help! Before you post, be sure to review [community
norms](https://zulip.com/development-community/#community-norms) and [where to
post](https://zulip.com/development-community/#where-do-i-send-my-message),
check out our [Zulip development community
guide](https://zulip.com/development-community/). The Zulip community is
governed by a [code of
post](https://zulip.com/development-community/#where-do-i-send-my-message) your
question. The Zulip community is governed by a [code of
conduct](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/code-of-conduct.html).
## Ways to contribute
## Getting started
To make a code or documentation contribution, read our
[step-by-step guide](#your-first-codebase-contribution) to getting
started with the Zulip codebase. A small sample of the type of work that
needs doing:
### Learning how to use Git (the Zulip way)
- Bug squashing and feature development on our Python/Django
[backend](https://github.com/zulip/zulip), web
[frontend](https://github.com/zulip/zulip),
Flutter [mobile app](https://github.com/zulip/zulip-flutter) in beta,
or Electron [desktop app](https://github.com/zulip/zulip-desktop).
- Building out our
[Python API and bots](https://github.com/zulip/python-zulip-api) framework.
- [Writing an integration](https://zulip.com/api/integrations-overview).
- Improving our [user](https://zulip.com/help/) or
[developer](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/) documentation.
- [Reviewing code](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/code-reviewing.html)
and manually testing pull requests.
Zulip uses GitHub for source control and code review, and becoming familiar with
Git is essential for navigating and contributing to the Zulip codebase. [Our
guide to Git](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/git/index.html) will help
you get started even if you've never used Git before.
**Non-code contributions**: Some of the most valuable ways to contribute
don't require touching the codebase at all. For example, you can:
If you're familiar with Git, you'll still want to take a look at [our
Zulip-specific Git
tools](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/git/zulip-tools.html).
- Report issues, including both [feature
requests](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/suggesting-features.html)
and [bug
reports](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/reporting-bugs.html).
- [Give feedback](#user-feedback) if you are evaluating or using Zulip.
- [Participate
thoughtfully](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/design-discussions.html)
in design discussions.
- [Sponsor Zulip](https://github.com/sponsors/zulip) through the GitHub sponsors program.
- [Translate](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/translating/translating.html)
Zulip into your language.
- [Stay connected](#stay-connected) with Zulip, and [help others
find us](#help-others-find-zulip).
### Setting up your development environment and diving in
## Your first codebase contribution
To get started contributing code to Zulip, you will need to set up the
development environment for the Zulip codebase you want to work on. You'll then
want to take some time to familiarize yourself with the code.
This section has a step by step guide to starting as a Zulip codebase
contributor. It's long, but don't worry about doing all the steps perfectly;
no one gets it right the first time, and there are a lot of people available
to help.
#### Server and web app
- First, make an account on the
[Zulip community server](https://zulip.com/development-community/),
paying special attention to the
[community norms](https://zulip.com/development-community/#community-norms).
If you'd like, introduce yourself in
[#new members](https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/channel/95-new-members), using
your name as the topic. Bonus: tell us about your first impressions of
Zulip, and anything that felt confusing/broken or interesting/helpful as you
started using the product.
1. [Install the development
environment](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/development/overview.html).
1. Familiarize yourself with [using the development
environment](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/development/using.html).
1. Go through the [new application feature
tutorial](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/new-feature-tutorial.html)
to get familiar with how the Zulip codebase is organized and how to find code
in it.
- Read [What makes a great Zulip contributor](#what-makes-a-great-zulip-contributor).
#### Flutter-based mobile app
- Set up the development environment for the Zulip codebase you want
to work on, and start getting familiar with the code.
- For the server and web app:
- [Install the development environment](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/development/overview.html),
getting help in
[#provision help](https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/channel/21-provision-help)
if you run into any troubles.
- Familiarize yourself with [using the development environment](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/development/using.html).
- Go through the [new application feature
tutorial](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/new-feature-tutorial.html) to get familiar with
how the Zulip codebase is organized and how to find code in it.
- For the upcoming Flutter-based mobile app:
- Set up a development environment following the instructions in
[the project README](https://github.com/zulip/zulip-flutter).
- Start reading recent commits to see the code we're writing.
Use either a [graphical Git viewer][] like `gitk`, or `git log -p`
with [the "secret" to reading its output][git-log-secret].
- Pick some of the code that appears in those Git commits and
that looks interesting. Use your IDE to visit that code
and to navigate to related code, reading to see how it works
and how the codebase is organized.
- Read the [Zulip guide to
Git](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/git/index.html) if you
are unfamiliar with Git or Zulip's rebase-based Git workflow,
getting help in [#git
help](https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/channel/44-git-help) if you run
into any troubles. Even Git experts should read the [Zulip-specific
Git tools
page](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/git/zulip-tools.html).
1. Set up a development environment following the instructions in [the project
README](https://github.com/zulip/zulip-flutter).
1. Start reading recent commits to see the code we're writing.
Use either a [graphical Git viewer][] like `gitk`, or `git log -p`
with [the "secret" to reading its output][git-log-secret].
1. Pick some of the code that appears in those Git commits and that looks
interesting. Use your IDE to visit that code and to navigate to related code,
reading to see how it works and how the codebase is organized.
[graphical Git viewer]: https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/git/setup.html#get-a-graphical-client
[git-log-secret]: https://github.com/zulip/zulip-mobile/blob/main/docs/howto/git.md#git-log-secret
#### Desktop app
Follow [this
documentation](https://github.com/zulip/zulip-desktop/blob/main/development.md)
to set up the Zulip Desktop development environment.
#### Terminal app
Follow [this
documentation](https://github.com/zulip/zulip-terminal?tab=readme-ov-file#setting-up-a-development-environment)
to set up the Zulip Terminal development environment.
## Finding an issue to work on
### Where to look for an issue
Now you're ready to pick your first issue! Zulip has several repositories you
@@ -245,16 +218,21 @@ a chat thread in addition to the GitHub issue.
Please follow the same guidelines as described above: find an issue labeled
"help wanted", and only pick up one issue at a time to start with.
### Getting help
## Getting help
You may have questions as you work on your pull request. For example, you might
not be sure about some details of what's required, or have questions about your
implementation approach.
implementation approach. Zulip's maintainers are happy to answer thoughtfully
posed questions, and discuss any difficulties that might arise as you work on
your PR.
Zulip's maintainers are happy to answer thoughtfully posed questions, and
discuss any difficulties that might arise as you work on your PR. You can get
help in public channels in the [Zulip development
community](https://zulip.com/development-community/):
If you haven't done so yet, now is the time to join the [Zulip development
community](https://zulip.com/development-community/). If you'd like, introduce
yourself in the [#new
members](https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/channel/95-new-members) channel, using
your name as the [topic](https://zulip.com/help/introduction-to-topics).
You can get help in public channels in the community:
1. **Review** the [Zulip development community
guidelines](https://zulip.com/development-community/#community-norms).
@@ -281,7 +259,39 @@ Well-posed questions will generally get a response within 1-2 business days.
There is no need to @-mention anyone when you ask a question, as maintainers
keep a close eye on all the ongoing discussions.
### Submitting a pull request
## What makes a great Zulip contributor?
As you're working on your first code contribution, here are some best practices
to keep in mind.
- [Asking great questions][great-questions]. It's very hard to answer a general
question like, "How do I do this issue?" When asking for help, explain your
current understanding, including what you've done or tried so far and where
you got stuck. Post tracebacks or other error messages if appropriate. For
more advice, check out [our guide][great-questions]!
- Learning and practicing
[Git commit discipline](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/commit-discipline.html).
- Submitting carefully tested code. See our [detailed guide on how to review
code](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/code-reviewing.html#how-to-review-code)
(yours or someone else's).
- Posting
[screenshots or GIFs](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/screenshot-and-gif-software.html)
for frontend changes.
- Working to [make your pull requests easy to
review](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/reviewable-prs.html).
- Clearly describing what you have implemented and why. For example, if your
implementation differs from the issue description in some way or is a partial
step towards the requirements described in the issue, be sure to call
out those differences.
- Being responsive to feedback on pull requests. This means incorporating or
responding to all suggested changes, and leaving a note if you won't be
able to address things within a few days.
- Being helpful and friendly on the [Zulip community
server](https://zulip.com/development-community/).
[great-questions]: https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/asking-great-questions.html
## Submitting a pull request
See the [guide on submitting a pull
request](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/reviewable-prs.html)
@@ -295,7 +305,7 @@ how to help the review process move forward.
It's OK if your first issue takes you a while; that's normal! You'll be able to
work a lot faster as you build experience.
### Beyond the first issue
## Beyond the first issue
To find a second issue to work on, we recommend looking through issues with the same
`area:` label as the last issue you resolved. You'll be able to reuse the
@@ -303,10 +313,7 @@ work you did learning how that part of the codebase works. Also, the path to
becoming a core developer often involves taking ownership of one of these area
labels.
For more advice, see [What makes a great Zulip
contributor?](#what-makes-a-great-zulip-contributor) below.
### Common questions
## Common questions
- **What if somebody is already working on the issue I want to claim?** There
are lots of issue to work on! If somebody else is actively working on the
@@ -382,63 +389,6 @@ contributor?](#what-makes-a-great-zulip-contributor) below.
[reviewable-pull-requests]: https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/reviewable-prs.html
## What makes a great Zulip contributor?
Zulip has a lot of experience working with new contributors. In our
experience, these are the best predictors of success:
- [Asking great questions][great-questions]. It's very hard to answer a general
question like, "How do I do this issue?" When asking for help, explain your
current understanding, including what you've done or tried so far and where
you got stuck. Post tracebacks or other error messages if appropriate. For
more advice, check out [our guide][great-questions]!
- Learning and practicing
[Git commit discipline](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/commit-discipline.html).
- Submitting carefully tested code. See our [detailed guide on how to review
code](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/code-reviewing.html#how-to-review-code)
(yours or someone else's).
- Posting
[screenshots or GIFs](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/screenshot-and-gif-software.html)
for frontend changes.
- Working to [make your pull requests easy to
review](https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/reviewable-prs.html).
- Clearly describing what you have implemented and why. For example, if your
implementation differs from the issue description in some way or is a partial
step towards the requirements described in the issue, be sure to call
out those differences.
- Being responsive to feedback on pull requests. This means incorporating or
responding to all suggested changes, and leaving a note if you won't be
able to address things within a few days.
- Being helpful and friendly on the [Zulip community
server](https://zulip.com/development-community/).
[great-questions]: https://zulip.readthedocs.io/en/latest/contributing/asking-great-questions.html
## User feedback
Nearly every feature we develop starts with a user request. If you are part
of a group that is either using or considering using Zulip, we would love to
hear about your experience with the product. If you're not sure what to
write, here are some questions we're always very curious to know the answer
to:
- Evaluation: What is the process by which your organization chose or will
choose a group chat product?
- Pros and cons: What are the pros and cons of Zulip for your organization,
and the pros and cons of other products you are evaluating?
- Features: What are the features that are most important for your
organization? In the best-case scenario, what would your chat solution do
for you?
- Onboarding: If you remember it, what was your impression during your first
few minutes of using Zulip? What did you notice, and how did you feel? Was
there anything that stood out to you as confusing, or broken, or great?
- Organization: What does your organization do? How big is the organization?
A link to your organization's website?
You can contact us in the [#feedback channel of the Zulip development
community](https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/channel/137-feedback) or
by emailing [support@zulip.com](mailto:support@zulip.com).
## Outreach programs
Zulip regularly participates in [Google Summer of Code
@@ -455,34 +405,3 @@ more about participating in an outreach program with Zulip. Most of our program
participants end up sticking around the project long-term, and many have become
core team members, maintaining important parts of the project. We hope you
apply!
## Stay connected
Even if you are not logging into the development community on a regular basis,
you can still stay connected with the project.
- Follow us [on Twitter](https://twitter.com/zulip).
- Subscribe to [our blog](https://blog.zulip.org/).
- Join or follow the project [on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/zulip-project/).
## Help others find Zulip
Here are some ways you can help others find Zulip:
- Star us on GitHub. There are four main repositories:
[server/web](https://github.com/zulip/zulip),
[Flutter mobile](https://github.com/zulip/zulip-flutter),
[desktop](https://github.com/zulip/zulip-desktop), and
[Python API](https://github.com/zulip/python-zulip-api).
- "Like" and retweet [our tweets](https://twitter.com/zulip).
- Upvote and post feedback on Zulip on comparison websites. A couple specific
ones to highlight:
- [AlternativeTo](https://alternativeto.net/software/zulip-chat-server/). You can also
[upvote Zulip](https://alternativeto.net/software/slack/) on their page
for Slack.
- [Add Zulip to your stack](https://stackshare.io/zulip) on StackShare, star
it, and upvote the reasons why people like Zulip that you find most
compelling.