Node.js: Landing your first Open Source contribution & how the Node.js project works

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This workshop aims to give you an introductory module on the general aspects of Open Source. Follow Claudio Wunder from the OpenJS Foundation to guide you on how the governance model of Node.js work, how high-level decisions are made, and how to land your very first contribution. At the end of the workshop, you'll have a general understanding of all the kinds of work that the Node.js project does (From Bug triage to deciding the Next-10 years of Node.js) and how you can be part of the bigger picture of the JavaScript ecosystem.

The following technologies and soft skills might be needed):
  - Basic understanding of Git & GitHub interface
  - Professional/Intermediate English knowledge for communication and for allowing you to contribute to the Node.js org (As all contributions require communication within GitHub Issues/PRs)
  - The workshop requires you to have a computer (Otherwise, it becomes difficult to collaborate, but tablets are also OK) with an IDE setup, and we recommend VS Code and we recommend the GitHub Pull Requests & Issues Extension for collaborating with Issues and Pull Requests straight from the IDE.

The following themes will be covered during the workshop:
- A recap of some of GitHub UI features, such as GitHub projects and GitHub Issues
- We will cover the basics of Open Source and go through Open Source Guide
- We will recap Markdown
- We will cover Open Source governance and how the Node.js project works and talk about the OpenJS Foundation
  - Including all the ways one might contribute to the Node.js project and how their contributions can be valued
- During this Workshop, we will cover Issues from the nodejs/nodejs.dev as most of them are entry-level and do not require C++ or deep technical knowledge of Node.js.
  - Having that said, we still recommend enthusiast attendees that want to challenge themselves to "Good First Issues" from the nodejs/node (core repository) if they wish.
  - We're going to allow each attendee to choose an issue or to sit together with other attendees and tackle issues together with Pair Programming through VS Code Live Share feature
    - We can also do Zoom breakrooms for people that want to collaborate together
  - Claudio will be there to give support to all attendees and, of course, answer any questions regarding Issues and technical challenges they might face
  - The technologies used within nodejs/nodejs.dev are React/JSX, Markdown, MDX and Gatsby. (No need any knowledge of Gatsby, as most of the issues are platform agnostic)
- By the end of the Workshop, we'll collect all (make a list) the contributors who successfully opened a Pull Request (even if it's a draft) and recognise their participation on Social media.

FAQ

The Node.js project is governed by two main entities: the Technical Steering Committee (TSC) and the OpenJS Foundation. The TSC handles technical aspects like managing accounts and resources, defining technical priorities, and overseeing GitHub organization. The OpenJS Foundation deals with legal and compliance issues, resource acquisition for infrastructure, and marketing and outreach activities.

To make your first contribution to the Node.js project, familiarize yourself with GitHub features like issues and actions, ensure you have the latest version of Node.js LTS installed, and set up your development environment with recommended tools like Visual Studio Code with LiveShare and GitHub pull request extensions. Follow the contribution guidelines provided in the project's repository.

For Node.js project contributions, it is recommended to use Visual Studio Code with LiveShare and GitHub pull request extensions, and ensure you have the latest version of Node.js LTS installed. It's also suggested to use git and GitHub CLI for efficient management of your contributions.

Key repositories within the Node.js organization include the Node.js core repository for runtime features and fixes, the nodejs/help repository for community assistance, nodejs.org for the project website, and several governance-focused repositories such as nodejs/build and nodejs/admin for infrastructure and administrative tasks respectively.

Collaboration in the Node.js project is managed through working groups, strategic initiatives, and regular and core collaborators who contribute across various aspects of the project. The governance model supports this collaboration by providing processes for proposing changes, discussing them in committees or working groups, and iterating on feedback.

The Node.js website redesign initiative aims to modernize the Node.js website using a modern technology stack like Next.js, improve its design and usability, and enhance the collaboration model for contributors. The initiative focuses on migrating existing components and infrastructure to more current technologies and ensuring the site remains relevant and user-friendly.

The Node.js Technical Steering Committee (TSC) manages the technical governance of the Node.js project. This includes overseeing the GitHub organization, managing resources and accounts, defining technical priorities, and handling the administrative and technical aspects of various project initiatives and teams.

To enable GitHub's new file navigation design, you can follow the link provided in the workshop slides. This feature is experimental and may be disabled by default for most users, but it can be activated to enhance navigation and user experience on GitHub.

Strategic initiatives in the Node.js project are key projects or areas focused on by the Technical Steering Committee to improve and sustain the Node.js environment. These initiatives address important aspects such as performance enhancement, API documentation, and future-proofing the technology.

 Claudio Wunder
Claudio Wunder
85 min
21 Apr, 2023

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