diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f3e127e --- /dev/null +++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md @@ -0,0 +1,96 @@ +# Contributing Guidelines + +Thank you for considering contributing to our open-source project! We appreciate your interest and support. To ensure a smooth collaboration, please review and adhere to the following guidelines. + +## Table of Contents + +1. [Getting Started](#getting-started) + - [Prerequisites](#prerequisites) + - [Fork the Repository](#fork-the-repository) + - [Clone the Repository](#clone-the-repository) +2. [Making Contributions](#making-contributions) + - [Branches](#branches) + - [Coding Standards](#coding-standards) + - [Commit Messages](#commit-messages) + - [Testing](#testing) +3. [Submitting Changes](#submitting-changes) + - [Pull Requests](#pull-requests) + - [Issues](#issues) +4. [Community and Communication](#community-and-communication) +5. [Code of Conduct](#code-of-conduct) + +## Getting Started + +### Prerequisites + +Before you start contributing, please make sure you have the following: + +- [Git](https://git-scm.com/) installed +- [A GitHub account](https://github.com/) +- A text editor or integrated development environment (IDE) of your choice +- Knowledge of the programming language(s) used in this project + +### Fork the Repository + +Fork our repository by clicking the "Fork" button on the top right of the repository page. This will create a copy of the project in your GitHub account. + +### Clone the Repository + +After forking the repository, clone it to your local machine using the following command, replacing `[your-username]` with your GitHub username: + +```bash +git clone https://github.com/[your-username]/[repository-name].git +``` + +## Making Contributions + +### Branches + +Create a new branch for your work. It's important to keep your changes isolated from the `main` or `master` branch to prevent conflicts. Name your branch descriptively, such as `feature/your-feature-name` or `bugfix/issue-number`. + +```bash +git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name +``` + +### Coding Standards + +Please follow the coding standards and style guide of the project. If there are no established standards, maintain consistency with the existing codebase. + +### Commit Messages + +Write clear, concise, and meaningful commit messages. A good commit message should: + +- Begin with a verb in the imperative mood (e.g., "Add," "Fix," "Update"). +- Be concise and focused on a single change. +- Reference related issues or pull requests, if applicable. + +Example: "Fix #123: Add validation for user email input" + +### Testing + +Make sure your changes do not break existing functionality. Write tests for new features and update existing tests as needed. + +## Submitting Changes + +### Pull Requests + +When your contribution is ready, open a pull request (PR) from your branch to the main repository's branch (e.g., `main` or `master`). Be sure to: + +- Give the PR a descriptive title. +- Provide a clear and detailed description of your changes. +- Reference related issues, if any. +- Be prepared to respond to feedback and make necessary adjustments. + +### Issues + +If you find a bug, have a suggestion, or want to work on an issue, please check the project's issue tracker. If the issue doesn't exist yet, feel free to open a new one to discuss the problem or feature request. + +## Community and Communication + +Join our community on [GitHub Discussions](link-to-discussions) or [our Discord/Slack channel](link-to-community-chat) to connect with other contributors and maintainers. This is the place to seek help, discuss ideas, and stay updated on project developments. + +## Code of Conduct + +Please adhere to our [Code of Conduct](CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md) to ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for all contributors. + +Thank you for your interest in contributing to our project! Your contributions make a significant impact on the success and growth of the project. \ No newline at end of file