How to get started contributing to WordPress
Learn how to confidently navigate the “Make WordPress” ecosystem and start making your mark on the software that powers the web.
If you’ve ever wanted to give back to the WordPress project but felt intimidated by the technical barrier, or if you simply didn’t know where to start, you’re not alone.
The truth? WordPress is built by volunteers, and there are far more ways to contribute that don’t involve code than there are that do. Whether you are a writer, a photographer, a designer, or a developer, your skills are needed to help the project grow.
What You’ll Learn
In Navigating the WordPress Contributor Journey, you will gain the clarity to move from being a user to becoming an active member of the global WordPress community.
- Contribution Foundations: Understand the “Make WordPress” ecosystem and the essential ground rules found in the Contributor Handbooks.
- Navigating the WordPress Contributor Journey: How to Give Back to the Open Source Project
- No-Code Pathways: Learn the easiest ways to start, including submitting to the Photo Directory or translating via the Polyglots team.
- Core Development: If you are a coder, learn how to navigate Trac, manage tickets, and identify “Good First Bugs” to get your feet wet.
- Communication & Community: Master the “heart and soul” of contribution by joining Slack, attending team meetings, and understanding the rhythm of the community.
- Specialized Teams: Discover where you fit in, from Marketing and Documentation to Accessibility and Performance.
- Communication & Community: Master the “heart and soul” of contribution by joining Slack, attending team meetings, and understanding the rhythm of the community.
By the end, you won’t just “know about” open source. You’ll earn your first contributor badges, build a global network, and elevate your professional profile within the WordPress community. You’ll know exactly how to turn your availability into long-term impact.
Who This Is For
- Non-Coders who want to help WordPress but don’t know where their skills fit.
- Developers ready to stop using the software and start helping build it.
- Writers and Creatives interested in documentation, marketing, or photography.
- Anyone who wants to stop being a spectator and start “changing the world” through open source.
Course Instructor
