Add a contributing guide

If the plugin does not already include a contributing guide and if it would benefit from more detail than is provided in the default contributing guide, add a contributing guide so that others understand how to help with plugin development. Look for existing contributing instructions in files like README.md. Move the content from the README.md file to the CONTRIBUTING.md file so that the README file stays focused on user documentation.

Create a branch

In a local copy of your fork of the plugin repository create a git branch for your work with the command:

$ git checkout -b contributing-guide master

The contributing guide often includes instructions to:

  • Compile and run automated tests

  • Run the plugin in a development environment

  • Report code coverage of the plugin and its tests

  • Report static analysis results

Refer to the contributing guides of other plugins for common examples, like:

Create a pull request

Commit that change:

$ git add CONTRIBUTING.md
$ git commit -m "Add a contributing guide"

Push the change to GitHub:

$ git push origin --set-upstream contributing-guide
Total 0 (delta 0), reused 0 (delta 0), pack-reused 0
remote:
remote: Create a pull request for 'contributing-guide' on GitHub by visiting:
remote: https://github.com/user/your-plugin/pull/new/contributing-guide
remote:
To github.com:user/your-plugin.git
 * [new branch]      contributing-guide -> contributing-guide
Branch 'contributing-guide' tracking remote branch 'contributing-guide'.

Notice that the output of the command includes the URL, which can be used to open a pull request. Copy that URL in your web browser and submit a pull request.