Major Open-Source C# (.NET) Project Seeks Contributors
The C# and .NET developer community received an unexpected but pleasant surprise: one of the largest open-source projects on the platform announced a massive recruitment of contributors. We are talking about Microsoft's PowerToys project — a set of utilities for advanced Windows users that has long outgrown its "experimental" status and become an indispensable tool for millions of developers and IT professionals.
PowerToys is not just a collection of features, but a real testing ground for modern approaches in .NET. The project actively uses C# 12, .NET 8, WinUI 3, and Windows App SDK. The team is currently looking for developers ready to take on tasks of varying complexity, from bug fixes to implementing new modules.
What do contributors get?
- Work with real code from Microsoft: you will gain experience in code review in one of the highest-rated repositories on GitHub (over 100k stars).
- Flexible schedule: no deadlines or obligations — only voluntary participation in the open source format.
- Mentorship: experienced maintainers help newcomers understand the architecture and code style.
- Portfolio: your contribution will be visible to the entire community, and commits to the PowerToys repository are an excellent line on your resume.
Which tasks are currently a priority?
The team has highlighted several areas where help is especially needed:
- FancyZones — improving window management algorithms (knowledge of WPF and Win32 API required).
- PowerRename — optimizing bulk file renaming (working with regular expressions and multithreading).
- Image Resizer — adding support for new image formats (working with SkiaSharp and file streams).
- Plugins for PowerToys Run — creating new quick commands (integration with Windows system services).
How to join?
The entry process is as simple as possible:
- Go to the project's GitHub repository.
- Study the CONTRIBUTING.md section — it describes the code style and PR requirements.
- Choose a task labeled good first issue or help wanted.
- Fork the repository, make changes, and submit a Pull Request.
Important: the project uses .NET 8, so you will need to install the latest version of the SDK to build. Visual Studio 2022 or Rider are also recommended — they best support WinUI 3.
Why should you give it a try?
PowerToys is not just "another open source project." It is a project that directly impacts the Windows user experience. Every one of your commits will be used by thousands of people around the world. Moreover, working with such code provides a unique understanding of how Microsoft builds modern applications in C# — from DI containers to native interop.