Starting Open Source with Outreachy: A Practical Guide
For new contributors, open source can feel overwhelming. Even thinking about getting started can be frustrating. Most of the time, it’s not a lack of interest—it’s simply not knowing where to begin or what to do first.
That’s where Outreachy comes in. It’s one program that helps you slowly familiarize yourself with open source projects and their codebases.
We use open source tools almost every day, often without even realizing it. But using open source and contributing to it are two very different things
What is Outreachy? (It's More Than an Internship)
When you first hear about Outreachy, you'll probably see it described as a paid, three-month remote internship for people from underrepresented backgrounds in tech (anyone who faces under-representation, systemic bias, or discrimination in the technology industry). And that's true. But that description misses the most important part.
For a new contributor, Outreachy isn't just an internship—it's a bridge.
The program partners with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) communities to create a safe space for learning. They don't expect you to be an expert on day one. They expect you to be eager to learn.
And here's something I didn't know at first: the stipend is 7000 USD total for three months of work—paid in two installments 3000 USD initial, 4000 USD final after successful feedback. It's real, it's paid, and it's designed so you can focus on learning without financial stress.
Why "Using" and "Contributing" Are Two Different Skills
Think of it like this: you can drive a car every day, but that doesn’t mean you know how to fix its engine.
Open source is similar.
Most of us are comfortable using open source tools. But contributing requires a different set of skills:
Understanding how a project is structured
Learning the workflow (issues, commits, pull requests)
Communicating clearly with maintainers and the community
understanding a community's workflow
Outreachy helps you build these skills step by step.
How Outreachy Helps You Find Your "Start"
So how do you actually go from feeling overwhelmed to making your first contribution?? Here's the breakdown:
Mentorship is Key: You aren't thrown into the deep end. You're paired with a mentor whose job is to help you succeed. They help you navigate the codebase, and guide your contributions. It's like having a friend who's already an expert in that foreign country you're visiting.
The First Steps are Small: Before you even apply, you're encouraged to complete "Pre-Requisite issues." At first, these might seem like just another task, but they are actually the entire secret. They are designed to teach you the fundamental workflow—how to set up a project, how to submit a patch, how to write technical instructions. You learn by doing, in a low-stakes environment.
Community, Not Isolation: One of the most frustrating parts of trying to contribute alone is the isolation. You feel like you're the only one struggling. Outreachy connects you with a cohort of other new contributors. You learn together, fail together, and celebrate together. It transforms a solo struggle into a shared adventure.
Eligibility: Make Sure You Qualify Before You start with a Project
Eligibility Essentials
Age: Must be 18+ at the time of application.
Background: Open to those from underrepresented groups in tech facing systemic bias.
Availability: Must commit 40+ hours per week; academic calendars must not overlap with internship dates.
Hemisphere Rule:
Northern Hemisphere: May–August cohort only.
Southern Hemisphere: December–March cohort only.
GSoC Rule: Past Google Summer of Code interns are ineligible
Read here if you are eligible or not for the program for additional information
https://www.outreachy.org/docs/applicant/#eligibility
Outreachy Timeline (Don’t Miss These!)
There are a few important phases you should keep track of:
Application Period – Initial application opens
Contribution Period – You start working on tasks with the community
Final Application Deadline – Submit your final application
Internship Period – If selected, this is when you officially start
Please read the detailed timeline https://www.outreachy.org/docs/applicant/#outreachy-schedule
Step-by-Step: How to Actually Apply
Step 1: Choose a Project
Pick projects that match your current skills (Python, documentation, design, etc.).
Limit yourself to 2–3 projects. Focus your energy. Spreading yourself across 10 projects means you won't make meaningful contributions to any of them.
Step 2: Join Communication Channels
Find out where the community hangs out—Matrix, Slack, IRC, Discord. Introduce yourself.This is where most discussions happen.
Pro tip: Do this before you start asking technical questions. People are more willing to help when they know who you are.
Step 3: Set Up the Development Environment
Follow the project’s documentation to install and run it locally.. If it doesn't exist or is outdated, ask. That's actually a great first contribution—improving the documentation so the next person doesn't struggle like you did.
Step 4: Pick Your First Issue
Look for labels like:
"good first issue"
"outreachy"
"pre-requisite"
"beginner friendly"
If you don't see any, ask in the chat: "I'm new here and would love to make my first contribution. Does anyone have suggestions for a small task I could start with?"
Step 5: Submit Your First Contribution
Important: Comment on the issue saying you'd like to work on it before you start. That way you're not doing duplicate work if the issue is not allowed for multiple users.
When you submit your first pull request or patch:
Write a clear description of what you changed.
Mention that you're an Outreachy applicant.
👉 Note: Some projects give pre-tasks, and completing those may be all you need to do during the contribution period.
Common Challenges
Even with guidance, things can go wrong. Here are some real challenges beginners often face:
No response in chat: Communities are busy. Wait 24–48 hours, follow up gently, or try another channel.
Setup struggles: Installing and running the project can take longer than expected. Document your steps—you might help the next person.
Issue confusion: Not understanding an issue is normal. Ask for clarification and explain where you’re stuck.
Code comprehension: You don’t need to understand everything. Focus on the part related to your task.
Rejected pull requests: This happens to everyone. Take feedback, make changes, and resubmit.
Issue overlap: Someone else might solve the issue you were working on. Communicate early and move to another task if needed.
Self-doubt: Small contributions matter. Even fixing typos or improving documentation counts.
Fear of asking questions: Everyone feels this. Asking questions shows engagement and helps you learn faster.
What If You Don't Get Selected?
This is the part no one likes to talk about, but it's important.
Many successful Outreachy interns weren't selected on their first try. Seriously. I've read so many stories of people applying twice, three times, before getting in.
Here's the thing: the contributions you made during the application period are real open source contributions. You can put them on your resume. You can keep engaging with the community. You're already an open source contributor, even if you don't get the internship.
If you're not selected:
Keep contributing to the project you connected with. Many communities welcome ongoing contributors.
Apply again next round. You'll already know the process, and you'll have a track record of contributions.
What Motivated Me to Participate?
I wanted to move from just using software to actually understanding how it’s built. Outreachy felt like a good opportunity to learn in a structured way while being supported by a community. And my curiosity to know new things drives me to participation.
Final Thoughts
Open source is vast. It's normal to feel overwhelmed or frustrated when you first approach it. That feeling doesn't mean you don't belong. It just means you haven't found the right entry point yet.
Outreachy is that entry point. It's a program that understands where you're starting from because it was built to meet you there.
Take a deep breath. Pick one project. Say hello in the chat. Make one small contribution. That's all it takes to start.
Reference: Outreachy Official Internship Guide