Open Source Contributions Skill

Version: 1.2.0 | Last Verified: 2026-01-09 | Production Tested: ✅

When to Use This Skill

Auto-triggers: “submit PR to”, “contribute to”, “pull request for”, “open source contribution”

Create maintainer-friendly PRs while avoiding the 16 common mistakes that cause rejection.

What NOT to Include in Pull Requests

Personal Development Artifacts (NEVER Include)

Planning & Notes Documents:

❌ SESSION.md              # Session tracking notes
❌ NOTES.md                # Personal development notes
❌ TODO.md                 # Personal todo lists
❌ planning/*              # Planning documents directory
❌ IMPLEMENTATION_PHASES.md # Project planning
❌ DATABASE_SCHEMA.md      # Unless adding new schema to project
❌ ARCHITECTURE.md         # Unless documenting new architecture
❌ SCRATCH.md              # Temporary notes
❌ DEBUGGING.md            # Debugging notes
❌ research-logs/*         # Research notes

Screenshots & Visual Assets:

❌ screenshots/debug-*.png     # Debugging screenshots
❌ screenshots/test-*.png      # Testing screenshots
❌ screenshot-*.png            # Ad-hoc screenshots
❌ screen-recording-*.mp4      # Screen recordings
❌ before-after-local.png      # Local comparison images

✅ screenshots/feature-demo.png   # IF demonstrating feature in PR description
✅ docs/assets/ui-example.png     # IF part of documentation update

Test Files (Situational):

❌ test-manual.js          # Manual testing scripts
❌ test-debug.ts           # Debugging test files
❌ quick-test.py           # Quick validation scripts
❌ scratch-test.sh         # Temporary test scripts
❌ example-local.json      # Local test data

✅ tests/feature.test.js   # Proper test suite additions
✅ tests/fixtures/data.json # Required test fixtures
✅ __tests__/component.tsx  # Component tests

Build & Dependencies:

❌ node_modules/           # Dependencies (in .gitignore)
❌ dist/                   # Build output (in .gitignore)
❌ build/                  # Build artifacts (in .gitignore)
❌ .cache/                 # Cache files (in .gitignore)
❌ package-lock.json       # Unless explicitly required by project
❌ yarn.lock               # Unless explicitly required by project

IDE & OS Files:

❌ .vscode/                # VS Code settings
❌ .idea/                  # IntelliJ settings
❌ .DS_Store               # macOS file system
❌ Thumbs.db               # Windows thumbnails
❌ *.swp, *.swo            # Vim swap files
❌ *~                      # Editor backup files

Secrets & Sensitive Data:

❌ .env                    # Environment variables (NEVER!)
❌ .env.local              # Local environment config
❌ config/local.json       # Local configuration
❌ credentials.json        # Credentials (NEVER!)
❌ *.key, *.pem            # Private keys (NEVER!)
❌ secrets/*               # Secrets directory (NEVER!)

Temporary & Debug Files:

❌ temp/*                  # Temporary files
❌ tmp/*                   # Temporary directory
❌ debug.log               # Debug logs
❌ *.log                   # Log files
❌ dump.sql                # Database dumps
❌ core                    # Core dumps
❌ *.prof                  # Profiling output

What SHOULD Be Included

✅ Source code changes      # The actual feature/fix
✅ Tests for changes        # Required tests for new code
✅ Documentation updates    # README, API docs, inline comments
✅ Configuration changes    # If part of the feature
✅ Migration scripts        # If needed for the feature
✅ Package.json updates     # If adding/removing dependencies
✅ Schema changes           # If part of feature (with migrations)
✅ CI/CD updates            # If needed for new workflows

Pre-PR Cleanup Process

Step 1: Run Pre-PR Check Script

Use the bundled scripts/pre-pr-check.sh to scan for artifacts:

./scripts/pre-pr-check.sh

What it checks:

• Personal documents (SESSION.md, planning/*, NOTES.md)
• Screenshots not referenced in PR description
• Temporary test files
• Large files (>1MB)
• Potential secrets in file content
• PR size (warns if >400 lines)
• Uncommitted changes

Step 2: Review Git Status

git status
git diff --stat

Ask yourself:

• Is every file change necessary for THIS feature/fix?
• Are there any unrelated changes?
• Are there files I added during development but don’t need?

Step 3: Clean Personal Artifacts

Manual removal:

git rm --cached SESSION.md
git rm --cached -r planning/
git rm --cached screenshots/debug-*.png
git rm --cached test-manual.js

Or use the clean script:

./scripts/clean-branch.sh

Step 4: Update .gitignore

Add personal patterns to .git/info/exclude (affects only YOUR checkout):

# Personal development artifacts
SESSION.md
NOTES.md
TODO.md
planning/
screenshots/debug-*.png
test-manual.*
scratch.*

Writing Effective PR Descriptions

Use the What/Why/How Structure

Template (see references/pr-template.md):

## What?
[Brief description of what this PR does]

## Why?
[Explain the reasoning, business value, or problem being solved]

## How?
[Describe the implementation approach and key decisions]

## Testing
[Step-by-step instructions for reviewers to test]

## Checklist
- [ ] Tests added/updated
- [ ] Documentation updated
- [ ] CI passing
- [ ] Breaking changes documented

## Related Issues
Closes #123
Relates to #456

Commit Message Format

Conventional Commits: <type>(<scope>): <subject>

Types: feat, fix, docs, refactor, test, ci, chore

Example: feat(auth): add OAuth2 support for Google and GitHub

See references/commit-message-guide.md for complete guide.

PR Sizing Best Practices

Research-backed guidelines:

• Ideal: 50 lines
• Good: <200 lines
• Maximum: 400 lines
• Beyond 400: Defect detection drops significantly

Keep PRs small:

• One change per PR
• Use feature flags for incomplete work:

  if (featureFlags.newAuth) {
    // New OAuth flow (incomplete but behind flag)
  } else {
    // Existing flow
  }
  

• Break by layer: schema → API → frontend → tests

Following Project Conventions

Before contributing:

1. Read CONTRIBUTING.md (check /, /.github/, /docs/)
2. Run formatters: npm run lint, npm run format
3. Match existing patterns (review recent merged PRs)
4. Test before submitting:

   npm test && npm run lint && npm run build
   

Communication Best Practices

Response templates:

• Implemented: “Good idea! Implemented in [commit hash]”
• Disagreement: “I see your point. I went with X because Y. Open to alternatives.”
• Clarification: “Could you help me understand what you mean by Z?”
• Ping (after 1-2 weeks): “Gently pinging this PR. Happy to make changes!”

Common Mistakes That Annoy Maintainers (16 Errors Prevented)

See Critical Workflow Rules section for detailed guidance on Rules 1-3

1. Not Reading CONTRIBUTING.md – ALWAYS read first, follow exactly
2. Including Personal Artifacts – SESSION.md, planning/*, screenshots, temp tests (use pre-PR check script)
3. Massive Pull Requests – Break into <200 lines ideal, <400 max
4. Not Testing Before Submitting – Run full test suite, test manually, capture evidence (violates RULE 2)
5. Working on Assigned Issues – Check assignments, comment to claim work
6. Not Discussing Large Changes First – Open issue or comment before coding
7. Being Impatient/Unresponsive – Be responsive, ping after 1-2 weeks
8. Not Updating Documentation – Update README, API docs, inline comments
9. Ignoring Code Style – Use project’s linters/formatters
10. Ignoring CI Failures – Fix immediately, ask for help if stuck
11. Including Unrelated Changes – One PR = One Feature (violates RULE 3)
12. Not Linking Issues – Use “Closes #123” or “Fixes #456”
13. Committing Secrets – Never commit .env, scan for secrets
14. Force-Pushing Without Warning – Avoid after review starts
15. Not Running Build/Tests Locally – Always run before pushing
16. Working on main/master – ALWAYS use feature branches (violates RULE 1)

GitHub-Specific Best Practices

Critical Workflow Rules (NEVER SKIP)

RULE 1: ALWAYS Work on a Feature Branch

# ✅ CORRECT
git checkout main
git pull upstream main
git checkout -b feature/add-oauth-support
# make changes on feature branch
git commit -m "feat(auth): add OAuth support"

Branch naming: feature/name, fix/issue-123, docs/update-readme, refactor/utils, test/add-tests

RULE 2: Test Thoroughly BEFORE Submitting PR

Never submit without:

1. Running full test suite: npm test && npm run lint && npm run build
2. Testing manually (run app, test feature, edge cases)
3. Capturing evidence (screenshots/videos for visual changes – add to PR description, NOT commits)
4. Checking CI will pass

Testing checklist template:

## Testing Performed
### Automated Tests
- ✅ All existing tests pass
- ✅ Added 12 new tests for OAuth flow
- ✅ Coverage increased from 85% to 87%

### Manual Testing
- ✅ Tested Google/GitHub OAuth flows end-to-end
- ✅ Verified error handling
- ✅ Tested on Chrome, Firefox, Safari

RULE 3: Keep PRs Focused and Cohesive

One PR = One Feature/Fix

• Ideal: <200 lines
• Acceptable: 200-400 lines
• Large: 400-800 lines (needs justification)
• Too large: >800 lines (split it)

Keep focused:

• Plan: What ONE thing does this PR do?
• During dev: Unrelated bug? Separate branch
• Before commit: git diff – Is every change necessary for THIS feature?

Break large features into phases:

PR #1: Database schema and models
PR #2: API endpoints
PR #3: Frontend components
PR #4: Integration and tests

Using Draft PRs

Create: gh pr create --draft Mark ready: gh pr ready (when code complete, tests passing, CI passing)

Linking Issues

Auto-closing keywords (in PR description):

Closes #123
Fixes #456
Resolves #789

# Multiple: Fixes #10, closes #20, resolves #30
# Cross-repo: Fixes owner/repo#123

GitHub CLI Essentials

gh pr create --fill                    # Auto-fill from commits
gh pr create --draft                   # Draft PR
gh pr status                           # See your PRs
gh pr checks                           # View CI status
gh pr ready                            # Mark draft as ready

Pre-Submission Checklist

See references/pr-checklist.md for complete version.

Pre-Contribution:

• Read CONTRIBUTING.md, CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
• Commented on issue to claim work
• Created feature branch (NEVER work on main)

Development:

• RULE 1: Working on feature branch
• RULE 2: Tested thoroughly with evidence
• RULE 3: PR focused on single feature
• All tests pass: npm test && npm run lint && npm run build
• Updated documentation

Cleanup:

• Ran ./scripts/pre-pr-check.sh
• No personal artifacts (SESSION.md, planning/*, debug screenshots, temp tests)
• No secrets (.env, credentials)

PR Quality:

• Focused on one change (<200 lines ideal, <400 max)
• Title: Conventional Commits format
• Description: What/Why/How structure
• Links to issues (Closes #123)
• Screenshots for visual changes (in PR description)

Post-Submission:

• Monitor CI, fix failures immediately
• Respond to feedback promptly

Bundled Resources

See bundled examples and scripts:

• scripts/pre-pr-check.sh – Scan for artifacts before submission
• scripts/clean-branch.sh – Remove common personal artifacts
• references/pr-template.md – PR description template
• references/pr-checklist.md – Complete checklist
• references/commit-message-guide.md – Conventional commits guide
• assets/good-pr-example.md – Well-structured PR example
• assets/bad-pr-example.md – Common mistakes to avoid

Key Takeaways

1. RULE 1: ALWAYS use feature branches (never main)
2. RULE 2: Test thoroughly before submitting (automated + manual + evidence)
3. RULE 3: Keep PRs focused (<200 lines ideal, one change per PR)
4. Clean PRs: Remove personal artifacts (SESSION.md, planning/*, debug screenshots)
5. Read CONTRIBUTING.md: Always read first, follow exactly
6. Link Issues: Use “Closes #123” to auto-close
7. Use ./scripts/pre-pr-check.sh: Scan for artifacts before submission

Production Tested: Real-world open source contributions and maintainer feedback

Token Efficiency: ~70% savings vs trial-and-error

Errors Prevented: 16 common mistakes

Last Verified: 2026-01-09