Get Involved
Welcome to the KDE Community! KDE is an international Free Software community. As a central development hub, it provides tools and resources that allow collaborative work on this kind of software. By joining our team, you will be part of an international effort by thousands of people working to deliver an incredible Free Software computing experience. Meet new friends, learn new skills, and make a difference to millions of users while working with people from all around the globe. This page will give you a brief introduction and help you get started with contributing.
Start Here
We want to make sure that the KDE Community remains a welcoming and friendly place where people can feel comfortable. We ask you to learn and abide by the KDE Community Code of Conduct when interacting with the rest of the KDE Community.
How to contribute and jump start your career in Free Software with the KDE Community? Watch the recording of the KDE workshop at UOM: Making a Difference
Contacting The Community
New Contributor? Say Hello In Matrix
KDE wants to make it easy to get involved! KDE members are available to help new contributors. Many of them hang out in the #new-contributors Matrix room. If you are just starting out and already have a matrix account, feel free to ask any questions you have there! They can direct you to the right places to get more information.
Or just drop in to say hello! We are a nice bunch.
Note: when you click on the Matrix link above, put @myusername:matrix.org in the "Username" field, where myusername is your username and after the : is the name of the homeserver.
If you don't have a Matrix account yet, instructions are provided on this page.
You may also join on IRC, at #kde-new-contributors on irc.libera.chat
Many Ways To Reach Us
Our team values courtesy and respect when engaging with others. KDE members use a variety of different venues to communicate, depending on the topic. Here is a list of the ones we use most:
- KDE Bugtracker - To report a bug or request a new feature.
The KDE Bugzilla bug tracker is intended for user-to-developer communication and tracks simple bug reports and feature requests. Sign in with your KDE Bugzilla account; if you don't have a KDE Bugzilla account, sign up for one here. More information about the KDE Bugzilla bug tracker is available here.
- Invent - To track and discuss work.
invent.kde.org is an instance of GitLab, a "git forge" intended for developer-to-developer code review, task planning, and technical discussions. If you don't have an account here, create one. More information about Invent is available here.
- Matrix, Internet Relay Chat - To start a short, goal-driven discussion.
Conversations on these channels should be actionable and result in the generation of a patch, task, bug report, or visual change.
- Discuss - To participate in general-purpose discussions.
Discuss is KDE's discussion forum. Here you can talk with other KDE users and contributors about everything to do with KDE, in particular the software we produce.
- Mailing Lists - To start a long-term, open-ended discussion.
You don't need to subscribe to them all; just a few will do. As a new member of the KDE Community, you should at least subscribe to kde-community and kde-devel. You will need to subscribe to each mailing list before you can send messages to it.
- KDE Culture - The shared norms and guidelines of KDE.
KDE is a large, diverse, multi-generational organization, and a certain culture has developed over time.
Ways to Contribute
Donations
KDE is a mostly volunteer community made up of people just like you! Our members need support in many areas including web and file-hosting costs, airfare to KDE events, and even hiring some full-time employees.
If you would like to support KDE to continue producing amazing free software, consider donating.
Find out more about making a financial donation to KDE.
Bugs & Improvement Ideas
Issue Reporting
Whether it's a KDE software bug or improvement ideas, let our developers know! Quality assurance makes KDE software better, and you can join in making sure our users are happy with the final product.
Find out more about issue reporting.
Develop KDE Software
Development
By becoming a developer in the KDE community, you can affect people by writing and improving world-class software used by millions. There are many small jobs available, so you don't even need to be an experienced programmer to start developing for KDE!
In the process you'll learn portable, industry-standard skills like C++, Qt, CMake, git, and collaborate with people from all around the world. Writing source code is a challenging and fun experience.
Find out more about becoming a KDE developer.
Bug Triaging
Another crucial step to make KDE software better is through bug triaging. Our users submit their tickets on Bugzilla, and we have many to process!
Test and confirm KDE bugs and let developers know! No additional programming experience is required. Use the comments section to confirm the bug and help raise awareness. Hunting for bugs is an incredible entry door into programming.
Find out more about helping squash bugs in KDE software.
Quality Assurance
KDE's Quality Assurance team tests pre-release software and proposed changes to make sure that everything works properly! Catching bugs during the development process is the name of the game, so that users of KDE software have a smooth and pleasant experience.
Find out more about performing QA on KDE software.
Accessibility
KDE makes software that is easy to use for people with visual, auditory and motor disabilities. Whether you are familiar with the techniques and technologies involved in enabling equitable access to software, or are just keen to find out more, we want your help!
Find out more about making KDE software more accessible.
Management
KDE Management works under the Gardening team. This team helps make everything run smoothly. If you are a "big picture" person, enjoy working with a diverse group of people, or have amazing ideas on how to help KDE, this is the place for you!
Find out more about being a manager in KDE.
Translation & Design
Translation
Are you fluent in multiple languages? Our multi-language software is always aiming to be precise and understood by everyone. Our user interface can always use your ability with languages to make it so. Join our translation efforts today!
Find out more about becoming a KDE translator.
Visual and Human Interface Design
Whether you are an artist, a designer, or just someone with an interest in user interaction, join the KDE Visual Design Group!
Wow users with interfaces that just want to be touched. The VDG makes KDE software both beautiful and usable for millions of users. We create icons, desktop themes, sounds, interfaces, and much more. Come join us today!
Find out more about joining the VDG.
Web Design
KDE's web presence helps people learn about our awesome technology and how to get it! The web team works closely with the Visual Design Group and Promo teams. It is right at the intersection of visual design and publicity.
As a member of the KDE Web Team, you will work on websites seen by millions and learn portable, industry-standard skills like Jekyll, Drupal, Wordpress, and more.
Find out more about joining the KDE web design team.
Documentation & User Support
Documentation
KDE users need documentation to get started contributing to the project. We value good-quality documentation, and those who write it. Help introduce more users to the KDE platform through powerful documentation.
Find out more about joining the KDE documentation team.
User Support
The KDE Community provides several platforms for users to ask for support from other users. Whether it is technical support, access, or maintenance, our various online channels are available 24/7 for any questions.
Find out more about providing user support.
Promo & Outreach
Promotion
Do you know how to get the word out on the street? As part of the Promo Team, you'll help spread the word about KDE. You'll be part of a great team of people who are moving the world!
If you have skills in marketing, copywriting, and social media management, come join us!
Find out more about spreading the word about KDE.
KDE Eco
Sustainable Software
KDE Eco supports Free & Open Source communities in developing sustainable software. Let's make energy efficiency and digital sustainability part of our culture. We can live up to our responsibility for this and future generations!
Find out more about sustainable software at KDE.
Add Your Project to KDE
If you have a project already that you want to bring into KDE, we have an incubation program to help you.
Find out more about making your software a KDE project.
More information is available at #Start_Here!, including getting in touch with other teams.
Mentoring Programs
KDE participates in a variety of mentoring programs to introduce new contributors to KDE. These include:
You can find mentors for these programs listed on the Mentoring page.