Contribution Ladder

A transparent, merit-based path from first-time contributor to trusted maintainer in the KubeStellar community

How do we audit our contributor ladder?

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Contributor

Start your journey in the KubeStellar community

Requirements:

•Minimum of 3 contributions (bug reports, documentation, or code PRs)
•Display enthusiasm and interest in long-term participation
•Be active on GitHub and Slack
•Informal application or nomination to join the intern program

Next Level:

Unpaid Intern

12 weeks

12-week journey to demonstrate commitment and skill

Requirements:

•Open at least 6 'help wanted' issues
•Merge at least 20 PRs (8 within first 6 weeks)
•Attend weekly team meetings or submit summaries
•Work collaboratively with mentors
•Receive mentor's recommendation

Next Level:

Paid Intern

Recognized contributor with compensation and responsibility

Requirements:

•Successfully complete at least one 12-week paid internship cycle
•Help onboard and support at least one new intern or contributor
•Submit ≥3 PR reviews
•Submit ≥5 helpful comments on PRs or issues
•Present or co-present at a community call

Next Level:

Mentor

Guide and support the next generation of contributors

Requirements:

•Demonstrate technical leadership in one or more key areas
•Maintain consistent contribution activity
•Engage with the community in GitHub and Slack
•Approved by core maintainers following a public review process

Next Level:

Maintainer

Trusted leader with full project responsibilities

Requirements:

•≥2 'Help Wanted' issues every 2 months
•≥3 PRs merged every 2 months
•≥8 PR reviews or constructive comments every 2 months
•≥3 community meeting attendances every 2 months

Contributor

Start your journey in the KubeStellar community

Requirements:

•Minimum of 3 contributions (bug reports, documentation, or code PRs)
•Display enthusiasm and interest in long-term participation
•Be active on GitHub and Slack
•Informal application or nomination to join the intern program

Next Level:

Unpaid Intern

12 weeks

12-week journey to demonstrate commitment and skill

Requirements:

•Open at least 6 'help wanted' issues
•Merge at least 20 PRs (8 within first 6 weeks)
•Attend weekly team meetings or submit summaries
•Work collaboratively with mentors
•Receive mentor's recommendation

Next Level:

Paid Intern

Recognized contributor with compensation and responsibility

Requirements:

•Successfully complete at least one 12-week paid internship cycle
•Help onboard and support at least one new intern or contributor
•Submit ≥3 PR reviews
•Submit ≥5 helpful comments on PRs or issues
•Present or co-present at a community call

Next Level:

Mentor

Guide and support the next generation of contributors

Requirements:

•Demonstrate technical leadership in one or more key areas
•Maintain consistent contribution activity
•Engage with the community in GitHub and Slack
•Approved by core maintainers following a public review process

Next Level:

Maintainer

Trusted leader with full project responsibilities

Requirements:

•≥2 'Help Wanted' issues every 2 months
•≥3 PRs merged every 2 months
•≥8 PR reviews or constructive comments every 2 months
•≥3 community meeting attendances every 2 months

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Join the KubeStellar community and begin climbing the maintainer ladder today

Community Meetings

View Open Issues

Explore Code

Browse our codebase and contribute to the project

View Repository →

Join Slack

Connect with the community for real-time discussions

Join Community →

Learn Guide

Read our comprehensive contribution handbook

View Handbook →