Open-source Kotlin project seeks contributors: how to join

Kotlin community in search of new contributors: how to become part of a major open-source project

Modern software development is unthinkable without open source. One of the most dynamically developing languages — Kotlin — is not only open-source itself but also serves as the foundation for many significant projects. Today we will tell you about a major initiative that is actively seeking new contributors. If you write in Kotlin or are just starting to learn this language, this is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience and make history.

What is the project?

We are talking about Ktor — an asynchronous web framework for creating server and client applications in Kotlin. Ktor is developed by JetBrains and is actively used in production. The framework is renowned for its modularity, lightweight nature, and full support for coroutines. However, its development depends entirely on the community: from fixing minor bugs to developing new plugins.

Why should you join?

• Real-world experience with Kotlin — you will work with modern tools: coroutines, serialization, KMP (Kotlin Multiplatform).
• Impact on the ecosystem — your code will be used by thousands of developers worldwide.
• Mentorship — the project has a friendly community where experienced maintainers help newcomers understand the code and processes.
• Open Source contribution on your resume — participation in Ktor will be a significant advantage when applying for jobs at JetBrains or other IT companies.

Who are they looking for?

The project needs not only developers. The list of roles includes:

• Developers (Kotlin/JVM, Kotlin/Native) — for implementing new features and optimization.
• Testers — writing unit tests, integration tests, and performance tests.
• Documentation writers — translating documentation into Russian, creating examples and guides.
• UI/UX specialists — helping to improve the project website and developer tools.

How to get started?

1. Go to the official Ktor repository on GitHub: github.com/ktorio/ktor.
2. Study the CONTRIBUTING.md section — it describes the rules and environment setup.
3. Find an issue labeled good first issue or help wanted — they are perfect for a first contribution.
4. Join the project's Slack chat (link in README) — you can ask questions and get reviews there.

What does the community gain?

Every new contributor is a step towards making Kotlin an even more powerful and convenient tool. Through joint efforts, we make open source accessible and high-quality. Don't be afraid to start: even fixing a typo in the documentation is a valuable contribution.

Join the development of Ktor right now! Your code could become part of the next release.