FOSS GECT PRESENTS
TREASURE HUNT
git & github • find it • fix it • ship it

> today's hunt map

  • > git? github? + three-tree architecture
  • > setup: install, account, config
  • > contribution workflow: find → fork → PR → merge
  • > why FOSS? profile, events, marketing yourself

What is git?

> git?

Git is a free and open source distributed version control system — manage files, track changes, revert to previous versions, collaborate without chaos.

git-scm.com • born 2005, Linus Torvalds, after BitKeeper went paid

> Git's three tree architecture

> moving between the trees

  • ~ git add file — working → staging
  • ~ git commit -m "msg" — staging → repo
  • ~ git restore --staged file — staging → working
  • ~ git reset HEAD~1 — repo → working
  • ~ git status / git log — where am I?

> Github

> Github

GitHub is a developer platform to create, store, manage & share code. Basically, you can host git repositories 😌

+ issues, pull requests, actions, pages, wikis, access control …

> GitHub student developer pack

GitHub Student Developer Pack

Real-world developer tools, free for students — curated bundles from GitHub & partners.

education.github.com/pack — verify with college email

> git installation

  • ~ linux: sudo apt install git
  • ~ mac: brew install git
  • ~ windows: git-scm.com
  • ~ git --version — verify it!

Create GitHub Accounts

github.com/signup — do it now, pick a professional username!

> local config (only once)

  • ~ git config --global user.name "YourName"
  • ~ git config --global user.email "you@example.com"
  • ~ git config --list — verify

> contribution workflow

this is the actual treasure hunt 🗺️

> the contribution loop

you use open source rn!

name some? 🙂

> project discovery

Best way to start? Contribute to something you already use.

  • GitHub Trending / Explore — filter by language & stack
  • goodfirstissue.dev — beginner-friendly aggregator
  • README is the entry point — setup, usage, contributing links live there!
  • Fix a bug that annoys you — best motivation!

> the issues tab

> Issues = todo list + discussion forum
> Filter by labels: good-first-issue, help-wanted, documentation, bug
> Read the thread fully before claiming!

> types of contributions

It's not just code!

  • Documentation / guides
  • Design / UX feedback
  • Bug reports & triaging issues
  • Localization & accessibility
  • Community support & evangelizing OSS!!

> issue etiquettes

Do ✅
• read CONTRIBUTING.md + follow templates
• sample issue: title, expected vs actual, repro steps, env
• sample PR: link it (Fixes #N), what + why, how tested
• ask in public, be polite & patient
Don't ❌
• spam "assign me" everywhere
• DM maintainers / bump in hours
• ignore templates, skip checklist
• submit massive unreviewable PRs

> today's treasure chest

github.com/VishnuSanal/git-workshop

> 1. fork → clone

  • ~ click Fork on GitHub
  • ~ git clone your-fork-url
  • ~ git status / git log

> 2. edit → add → commit → push

  • ~ edit files…
  • ~ git add .
  • ~ git commit -m "clue: …"
  • ~ git push origin main

> 3. PR → review → iterate

  • ~ open Pull Request (compare & pull)
  • ~ fill template, link the issue!
  • ~ respond to reviews, push more commits

> merge!

maintainer merges → your contribution goes in

> why FOSS?

Four freedoms: run • study & modify • redistribute • distribute modified versions.

  • work at your own pace, code that matters (not assignments!)
  • collaborate worldwide, learn skills employers want

> your github profile

> profile README — appealing, not over the top
> bio, links, pfp, professional username
> heatmap: trust me this gets you the eyes!!
> follow devs, star projects, feed = learning stream

> your feed matters

> follow devs you admire, star repos — starring is the #1 way to support a project!
> watch releases, read PRs & reviews — your feed becomes a learning stream

> events, programs, marketing yourself!

Events & programs
• GSoC • FOSS Hack
• LFX • Outreachy • MLH
• IndiaFOSS • FOSDEM • hackathons
Discoverability
• share on X / LinkedIn / dev.to / blog
• your GitHub is your portfolio!
• network = net worth ✨

FURTHER RESOURCES

THANK YOU

> now go hunt! vishnusanal.github.io

who am i?

why FOSS matters to me?

QR Code - vishnusanal.github.io

vishnusanal.github.io