CONTRIBUTING.md Generator
Generate professional contributing guidelines for your open source project. Choose a template, configure sections, and download your CONTRIBUTING.md instantly.
About This Tool
The CONTRIBUTING.md Generator is a free browser-based tool that helps open source maintainers create comprehensive contributing guidelines for their projects. Instead of writing contribution guides from scratch, fill in a visual form and get a well-structured Markdown document ready for your repository.
The generator supports four templates: Minimal for small projects that need only basic guidance, Standard for typical open source projects with code contributions, Comprehensive for larger projects that accept code, documentation, translations, and testing contributions, and Enterprise for corporate-backed projects with CLA requirements, security policies, and formal review processes.
Key sections you can configure include communication channels (Discord, Slack, GitHub Discussions), getting started instructions (prerequisites, fork/clone, install, run), contribution types (bug reports, feature requests, code, documentation, translations, testing), branch naming conventions, commit message formats (Conventional Commits, Angular, Gitmoji), pull request processes, and code style requirements.
If you need other project documentation, try the Changelog Generator for CHANGELOG.md files, the .gitignore Generator for ignore files, or the Markdown Preview tool to edit and preview your Markdown in real time.
All processing runs entirely in your browser. No project details, names, or configuration data are ever sent to any server. Your contributing guidelines stay completely private until you choose to share them.
How to Use
- Select a Template from the dropdown to start with a pre-configured set of sections (Minimal, Standard, Comprehensive, or Enterprise).
- Fill in the Project Information section with your project name and an optional Code of Conduct link.
- Configure Communication Channels by adding Discord, Slack, or GitHub Discussions links.
- Set up Getting Started instructions with prerequisites, install commands, and run commands.
- Toggle Contribution Types to include sections for bug reports, feature requests, code, documentation, translations, and testing.
- Choose a Commit Message Format (Conventional Commits, Angular, Gitmoji, or none).
- Review the Live Preview panel, then click Copy or press Ctrl+Shift+C to copy, or Download to save as CONTRIBUTING.md.
Popular CONTRIBUTING.md Examples
FAQ
What is a CONTRIBUTING.md file?
A CONTRIBUTING.md file is a document placed in the root of an open source repository that explains how others can contribute to the project. It typically covers how to report bugs, suggest features, submit code changes, follow coding standards, and participate in the community. GitHub recognizes this file and displays a link to it when users open a new issue or pull request.
Which template should I choose?
For small personal projects, Minimal is sufficient. For most open source projects, Standard provides a good balance. Use Comprehensive for popular projects that accept many types of contributions. Enterprise is best for corporate-backed projects that need formal processes like CLA signing, security scanning, and multi-reviewer requirements.
Can I customize the generated output?
Yes. The tool generates standard Markdown that you can edit after copying or downloading. You can also adjust every section through the form before generating. The Markdown output uses standard syntax that renders correctly on GitHub, GitLab, and any Markdown renderer.
What is the Conventional Commits format?
Conventional Commits is a specification for commit messages that uses a structured format: type(scope): description. The type indicates the kind of change (feat, fix, docs, etc.), the optional scope narrows the area affected, and the description summarizes the change. This format enables automatic changelog generation and semantic versioning.
Should I include a Code of Conduct?
Yes, a Code of Conduct is recommended for any open source project that welcomes community contributions. It sets expectations for behavior and helps create a welcoming environment. You can link to an existing Code of Conduct file (like CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md) or reference a standard like the Contributor Covenant.
Is my data safe?
Yes. All processing runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No project names, configuration, or generated content is ever sent to any server. You can verify this by checking the Network tab in your browser's developer tools while using the tool.
Can I generate guides for non-JavaScript projects?
Absolutely. While the default getting-started commands use npm examples, you can change all commands to match your project's technology stack (pip install, cargo build, go build, etc.). The contribution types, commit formats, and PR processes are language-agnostic.
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