Large Open Source C++ Project Seeks Contributors
The developer community of the popular open-source project WebKit (the engine for rendering web pages, which powers Safari and many other browsers) has announced a large-scale recruitment of contributors. This is great news for anyone who wants to contribute to one of the most influential projects in the world of web technologies, written in C++.
WebKit is not just a set of source code, but an entire ecosystem that includes components for rendering HTML, CSS, JavaScript, handling network requests, and graphics. The project has been actively developed for over 20 years, and its codebase contains millions of lines of C++. The WebKit team is currently looking for developers of various levels who are ready to help solve current tasks and implement new features.
What do contributors get?
- Work on a real product — your code will be used by millions of users worldwide.
- Flexible schedule — participation in the project is fully remote and does not require fixed hours.
- Mentorship — experienced developers from the Apple team and other companies will help you understand the architecture and processes.
- Thematic bonuses — the most active contributors get access to private tests, merchandise, and the opportunity to participate in the annual WebKit Contributors Meeting.
What tasks await participants?
Currently, the project especially needs help in the following areas:
- Optimizing rendering performance (reducing page draw time and memory consumption).
- Implementing support for new web standards (CSS properties, JavaScript APIs, improvements in HTML).
- Fixing bugs in network and security code.
- Porting WebKit to new platforms (e.g., improving support on Linux and Windows).
- Documenting APIs and writing tests.
What do you need to know and be able to do?
For successful participation in the project, you need:
- Confident knowledge of C++ (at least at the level of writing complex algorithms and working with templates).
- Understanding of the basics of computer graphics (OpenGL, Skia, CoreGraphics) — desirable but not required.
- Experience with the Git version control system.
- Basic knowledge of English for reading documentation and communicating in chats.
- Willingness to follow the project's code style and undergo code review.
If you have never worked on such a large-scale project, don't worry — special "Good First Bug" labels are prepared for beginners in the task tracker. These are small but important bugs that will help you get familiar with the process.
How to join?
It all starts with the project's official website webkit.org. There you will find:
- Documentation for building the project (build instructions).
- A link to the bug and feature tracker (Bugzilla).
- A chat for developers (IRC and Slack).
- A guide to the code style and the process for making changes.
Don't miss the chance to become part of the history of web technologies. Your first pull request could change how millions of people see