When I started coding, the idea of contributing to open source code was pretty intimidating.

Like, can I really change your code and you don't mind? What if I screw up? How do I even find where to contribute?

Only later I understood that some of the questions were due to my lack of understanding. However, finding repositories to contribute is often casual rather than intentional.

So, here is a list of repositories you might find interesting.

1. For Beginners & First Contributors
2. Other Repositories
3. Big Repos In Tech
4. From The Community
5. How To Contribute

Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments

For Beginners & First Contributors

• Firstcontributions. This is where you want to start with open source! They even list other open source projects.
• Up-for-grabs. This is a list of projects which have curated tasks specifically for new contributors.
• Good First Issues. A list of projects that have simple issues for newcomers.
• goodfirstissue.dev. Another list of projects that have simple issues for newcomers.

Other Repositories

In no particular order:

• Freecodecamp, you can contribute with code and with translations
• ReactPlay, a growing platforms that describe itself as "An Opensource platform for React developers to learn, create and share ReactJS Projects."
• Coding Interview University
• Forem Self-Host. You should probably know Forem. But in case you don't, just know that DEV is hosted on it.
• EbookFoundation. By contributing to this repo you hlp their mission: "Making the world safe for free ebooks."
• The Algorithms. This is an "Open Source resource for learning Data Structures & Algorithms and their implementation in any Programming Language". Therefore, you can contribute across many different languages and learn something about Data Structures & Algorithms.
• Project-based learning. list of programming tutorials in different languages.
• Public APIs. Described as "A collective list of free APIs for use in software and web development"
• Developer Roadmap. I am sure many of you have seen pictures of "The Roadmap to Learn XYZ". Here is a way to contribute or interact with a roadmap just for you.
• Professional Programming. As reported, The goal of this page is to make you a more proficient developer. If you have excellent resources, you can try to open a PR and include them here. But in any csae, I wanted to include this because it seems super interesting.
• The System Design Primer. Another epic learning resource that could benefit from your help.
• Every Programmer Should Know. A collection of (mostly) technical things every software developer should know. Backed by a community of developers, of course.
• Build your own X. Learn how to re-create some tech following step-by-step guides.
• List of Free Learning Resources In Many Languages. Once again, you can learn and contribute.
• Awesome. This is simply awesome. A list of lists of resources. I should remind you that your time on this planet is limited. Most likely you won't be able to read everything.
• CodeTriage. Another list of open-source projects by open issues. The intent is clear: "Help out your favorite open source projects and become a better developer while doing it."

Big Repos In Tech

List of big names, by starred, open for contribution. This is not exaustive.

• Vue - 200k
• React - 196k
• TensorFlow - 168k
• Bootstrap - 160k
• Python - 146k
• Flutter - 146k
• gitignore - 139k
• Linux - 139k
• VSCode - 137k
• React Native - 105k
• Electron - 104k
• Go - 104k
• d3 - 103k
• Node - 91k
• Angular - 84k
• Svelte - 62k

From The Community

In no particular order:

• @verisimilitude11 - DNAnalyzer offers both code and no-code contributions opportunities.
• @ecyrbe - Zodios | End-to-end typesafe REST API toolbox. You can simply start by trying it and fix any bug you find. Read the comments for more ideas!
• @aatmaj - Basic Memory Game
• @rocambille - Enrich your objects with Elo rating. Contribute with typescript and unit tests.
• @renhiyama - Reejs wants you to "Make Sites Faster, without the need of building anything!"

• @andypiper - awesome-modern-twitter-api. This is an Awesome List, so, in the words of Andy, "it’s low code (mostly a markdown document to add to or improve); but it does require a level of interest in the relevant topic, and ideally some testing"

• Your Project? Drop a message in the comments and I will add it as long as it is not going to be monetized.

How to contribute

Here is a nice article that explains how to contribute to open source projects.