Guide · Open source
How to use first-contributions: a beginner's guide to your first open source pull request
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
first-contributions is a free, MIT-licensed tutorial hosted on GitHub that explains how to make a first contribution to an open source project. It is written for people who have never submitted a pull request before, and for students and mentors who want a guided first exercise in using Git and GitHub. This guide shows how to get the tutorial, what it is and is not, and where to go next.
First Contributionsfirstcontributions/first-contributions · ★ 56.7k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Open a terminal. Use a terminal where Git is available. The README's only install command requires Git.
- 2Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/firstcontributions/first-contributions to download the tutorial files.
- 3Open the folder. Change into the cloned first-contributions directory and look at the files that make up the tutorial.
- 4Read the tutorial in order. Work through the steps in the repository, and do not skip ahead if a term is unfamiliar.
- 5Check translations if needed. The README links to translated versions in docs/translations if you prefer another language.
What first-contributions is
first-contributions is a learning resource, not a software program. Its description says it helps beginners contribute to open source projects. The project is hosted on GitHub under the MIT licence and has a homepage at firstcontributions.github.io.
The README in the source is mostly badges and links to translations, so the exact steps of the tutorial are not visible in the excerpt reviewed here. Read the tutorial files in the repository itself to see the full walkthrough.
- Type: beginner tutorial, read online
- Licence: MIT
- Prerequisites: none listed
- Translations are linked from the README
Get a local copy of the tutorial
The README gives one install command. It clones the repository to your computer so you can read the files locally. Run it in a terminal where Git is installed.
git clone https://github.com/firstcontributions/first-contributionsFollow the tutorial step by step
Open the cloned folder and read the tutorial in order. The purpose is to take you through making a first contribution to an open source project, so work through it on your own machine rather than only skimming it.
If a step uses Git or GitHub terms you do not know, look them up before continuing. The tutorial is aimed at people new to the pull request workflow, so unfamiliar terms are expected.
- Read the README and any linked docs before running commands
- Keep notes on any step that confuses you
- Use the translations list if you prefer another language
Know who this is and is not for
first-contributions suits people who have never submitted a pull request, students who want a guided first exercise, and mentors who need a link to share with newcomers.
It is not the right fit for experienced contributors who already know the GitHub pull request workflow. It is also not a tool to install, so do not expect a program to run.
- Good fit: complete beginners, students, teachers and mentors
- Poor fit: experienced contributors and people looking for software
What people use it for
- A student using the tutorial as a guided first exercise in Git and GitHub
- A mentor sharing the GitHub link with a newcomer before a workshop
- A first-time contributor reading the tutorial before opening a first pull request
- A teacher reading the translated README to share with non-English speakers
Frequently asked questions
Is first-contributions free to use?
The project is licensed under the MIT licence, as shown in its README and repository. The source does not list any price, so you can read and clone it at no cost.
What do I need to install first-contributions?
The source lists no prerequisites. The one command in the README uses git clone, so you will need Git installed to get a local copy.
Is first-contributions a software tool?
No. It is a beginner tutorial that explains how to make a first contribution to an open source project. It is a learning resource rather than a program you install.
Who should not use first-contributions?
Experienced contributors who already know the GitHub pull request workflow are not the target audience, since the tutorial is aimed at beginners.
What are alternatives to first-contributions?
Comparable projects named in the source are good-first-issue and CodeTriage. Use them if you want to find beginner-friendly issues to work on rather than a step-by-step tutorial.
Why can't I see the tutorial steps in the README?
The README excerpt reviewed here is mostly badges and translation links, so the detailed steps are not visible in it. Open the cloned repository to read the full tutorial files.
New agent skills, repos and AI tools — every week
The best new skills and open-source projects, the fastest-growing repos, and one free prompt. Five minutes to read. Unsubscribe anytime.
Our verdict
first-contributions is a good starting point for people who have never made a pull request, students doing a guided first Git exercise, and mentors who want a link to share. Experienced contributors who already know the GitHub pull request workflow should skip it, and anyone looking for a tool to install should look elsewhere.
Install options & downloads