Familiarize yourself with RepoSage by reading the documentation, exploring the codebase, and understanding our mission to build AI-powered tools for open source.
Read through the project documentation at /docs
Explore the source code on GitHub
Run the project locally to understand how it works
Join our community channels to introduce yourself
Configure your local development environment with all the necessary tools and dependencies.
Fork the repository to your GitHub account
Clone your fork locally
Install Node.js 18+ and npm/yarn
Copy .env.example to .env.local and configure
Run npm install and npm run dev
Start with beginner-friendly issues labeled "good first issue" to learn our codebase and development workflow.
Browse issues labeled "good first issue" on GitHub
Ask questions in the issue comments if unclear
Claim the issue by commenting that you want to work on it
Wait for maintainer confirmation before starting
Submit your first pull request following our contribution guidelines.
Create a new branch for your changes
Write clean, well-documented code
Add tests for new functionality
Submit a PR with a clear description
Respond to review feedback promptly
Build relationships with mentors and other contributors by actively participating in discussions.
Participate in code reviews
Help other contributors with their questions
Share your progress and learnings
Attend community meetings if available
Draft a compelling proposal that demonstrates your understanding of the project and your implementation plan.
Select a project idea from our ideas page
Research the topic thoroughly
Create a detailed timeline with milestones
Get feedback from mentors on your draft
Submit before the deadline
1
Full name and contact details
University/Institution and program
GitHub profile and portfolio links
Timezone and availability during GSoC
2
What problem does this project solve?
Who will benefit from this implementation?
How does it fit into the larger ecosystem?
What alternatives have you considered?
3
Detailed implementation plan with architecture diagrams
Technologies and libraries you'll use
How you'll handle edge cases and errors
Testing strategy and quality assurance
4
Week-by-week breakdown of tasks
Specific, measurable deliverables for each phase
Buffer time for unexpected challenges
Evaluation checkpoints aligned with GSoC schedule
5
Relevant experience and past projects
Why you're interested in this specific project
Your contributions to the project (if any)
Other commitments during GSoC period
Start early and iterate - get feedback from mentors on multiple drafts
Be specific about deliverables - vague goals are red flags
Show your prior contributions to demonstrate capability
Include a realistic timeline with buffer for unexpected issues
Explain WHY you chose this project - show genuine interest
Discuss potential challenges and how you'll handle them
Keep it concise but comprehensive - quality over quantity
RepoSage primarily uses TypeScript for both frontend (Next.js, React) and backend development. Python is used for ML/AI components and data processing scripts. Familiarity with JavaScript/TypeScript is essential, while Python knowledge is helpful for AI-related projects.
It depends on the project! We have projects for all skill levels. Some projects like "AI-Powered Contributor-Issue Matching" are beginner-friendly and teach AI concepts along the way. Advanced projects like "Multi-Agent AI Orchestration" require prior ML experience. Check the difficulty level on each project.
GSoC expects contributors to commit approximately 175-350 hours over the program duration. For a medium project (~175 hours), this means roughly 15-20 hours per week. For large projects (~350 hours), expect 30-35 hours per week. Make sure this fits your schedule.
Absolutely! We welcome original ideas that align with our mission. If you have a unique project idea, discuss it with mentors early in the application process. Make sure it fits the project scope (90-350 hours) and contributes meaningfully to the ecosystem.
Primary communication happens through GitHub issues and pull request discussions. For quick questions, join our Discord/Slack community. Email mentors for sensitive or detailed discussions. Always be respectful of timezone differences and response times.
A strong proposal includes: clear understanding of the problem, detailed technical approach, realistic timeline with milestones, evidence of prior contributions to the project, awareness of potential challenges, and backup plans. Show that you've done your homework!
Start 2-3 months before the application period opens. This gives you time to understand the project, make contributions, build relationships with mentors, and refine your proposal. Early contributors have a significant advantage.
Getting stuck is normal! Communicate early with your mentor, document what you've tried, and ask specific questions. Break down problems into smaller parts. The community is here to help - don't struggle in silence.