5 simple ways to help open source projects without writing code

Learn how you can give back to open source communities without any programming skills.

As someone who’s been using open source software for nearly twenty-five years, I’ve come to realize that contributing to the open source community isn’t limited to coding. For the first fifteen years of my journey, I was an enthusiastic user and advocate, but I didn’t see how I could give back without being a developer. It wasn’t until 2011, when I started writing for Opensource.com, that I began to understand the many non-coding ways you can contribute. If you’re a developer who feels you’re not contributing enough, here are five impactful ways you can give back to open source without writing a single line of code.

1) Documentation: The heart of open source

Documentation is one of the most vital aspects of any open source project. While it may seem less glamorous than coding, good documentation makes software accessible to everyone. A tool may have an incredible set of features, but if it’s difficult to use, it becomes far less valuable. Take WordPress or Drupal, for example—though both platforms have made strides in usability, nuances still exist that aren’t intuitive to all users. This is where you can help.

Contributing to documentation doesn’t just mean writing manuals; it can also include improving user guides, creating FAQs, or even translating existing documents to reach a broader audience. This work is crucial for the adoption and proper use of open source software, and developers can significantly benefit from clearer, better-structured documentation.

Read more: How to get involved with We Love Open Source

2) User testing: Helping improve usability

Another valuable way to contribute is through user testing. Open source software is often tested in developer environments, but how does it perform on a variety of operating systems or platforms? By providing feedback on usability, bugs, and platform-specific issues, you can help the project become more user-friendly and accessible.

Many open source projects, like Linux distros or desktop apps, rely heavily on user testing to iron out issues that developers might overlook. You don’t need to be a coder to spot inconsistencies or usability flaws—just use the software as any end user would, and report back your findings.

3) Community support: Sharing knowledge and offering help

Community support has always been at the heart of open source. In the early days, Linux users relied on listservs and bulletin boards to troubleshoot problems. Today, platforms like Stack Overflow, forums, and wikis continue to serve as invaluable resources.

By answering questions, helping troubleshoot issues, or providing advice to other users, you contribute to the community’s growth and success. Whether you’re helping newcomers understand basic concepts or diving into advanced problem-solving, your time spent offering support goes a long way in fostering an active and welcoming community.

4) Financial contributions: Supporting the project’s sustainability

Open source projects need funding to continue developing and maintaining their software. One of the easiest ways to support a project is through financial contributions. Services like GitHub’s Secure Open Source Fund allow users to make donations to open source projects they rely on.

For example, I’m a regular contributor to the Linux Mint project. I’ve also supported projects like GnuCash and helped fund podcasts such as LateNight Linux. You can support Fosstodon and other Mastodon instances.

5) Advocacy: Spreading the word about open source

Lastly, advocacy is one of the most powerful ways you can contribute to open source projects. Many people still aren’t aware of the incredible benefits open source software offers. As a developer, you can be an advocate for open source adoption in your organization, educational institutions, or among your peers.

For example, I advocated for the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System to switch from a proprietary library system to Koha, an open source library management software. This shift not only saved the library over $60,000 annually, but it also positioned them to better handle the challenges of the pandemic. By simply sharing your experiences and advocating for open source tools, you can help others discover their advantages and build a larger open source community.

Conclusion

There are many ways to contribute to open source without needing to write code. From documenting software to testing usability, providing community support, making financial contributions, and advocating for open source adoption, developers have a wide range of options to get involved. You can also volunteer at meetups, workshops, hackathons, and open source conferences or share your open source journey with others through blogs or at public libraries. There’s plenty of room and ways for everyone to contribute.

More from We Love Open Source

• 9 key features for effective engineering project management
• Why open source matters in your project management tool
• Intentional collaboration: Best practices for more productive meetings
• Technology history: Where Unix came from
• How to get involved with We Love Open Source

This article is adapted from “Beyond code: Ways to contribute to open source projects” by Don Watkins, and is republished with permission from the author.