From fd1a960165cf1d99a7a760ddee365d7f66cbb068 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Kim Brose <2803622+HarHarLinks@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:11:48 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 1/7] Add getting started to CONTRIBUTING.md
Signed-off-by: Kim Brose <2803622+HarHarLinks@users.noreply.github.com>
---
CONTRIBUTING.md | 32 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 file changed, 32 insertions(+)
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index fcc89ac19..635c0c5ce 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -4,6 +4,38 @@ Thank you for taking the time to contribute to Matrix!
This is the repository for the matrix.org website, available at .
+## How to start contibuting
+
+Contributors to this repository are very welcome and we try to make it easy for newcomers and infrequent contributors to help!
+Please always let the maintainers know when something is unclear.
+
+Helping out can take many shapes:
+For a good amount of work on the website, you have to deal with some light coding, but maintaining the website also means
+
+- making sure the content is up to date - opening issues about outdated things to let us know can be a great help!
+- writing new documentation - there are constantly new developments and insights around Matrix. If you feel knowledgeable about a topic, you could for example consider adding to our `/docs`!
+- illustrations - a picture can be worth a thousand words! There are many places on the website that benefit from keeping illustrations up to date, or creating new ones!
+- design - matrix.org has a lot of content to deal with, and we need to make sure it is structured well so it is easy to find what you are looking for. On top, we want it to look nice, inviting, and exciting. If you have ideas around either form of design, reach out to us!
+- responsiveness and accessibility - the information on this website is for everyone, whether they use a big PC monitor, a vertical smartphone screen, or a screen reader. We can always use feedback from testing and and more insights!
+
+Join [#matrix.org-website:matrix.org](https://matrix.to/#/%23matrix.org-website%3Amatrix.org) to reach out!
+
+Here are 3 simple steps to get started submitting PRs:
+
+1. Check out our contributing docs - you're already here, just continue on reading!
+ We also recommend skimming our README for some tips in dealing with the repo and how to test your changes locally,
+ and our [CONTENT.md](./CONTENT.md) for further help on how to work on specific parts of the website.
+ See our documentation [below](#review--publishing-policy) about our expectations and what you can expect in return.
+3. Share your idea first - see [How we take decisions](#how-we-take-decisions).
+4. Pick an issue and submit a PR!
+ We maintain several labels on our issues to make it easier to find one that suits you.
+ The [help wanted](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22help%20wanted%22) label is for issues we actively think are easy to tackle by outside contributors,
+ and we have [good first issue](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22good%20first%20issue%22) for those that are particularly suited to get started.
+ The label [needs decision](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22needs%20decision%22) marks issues that first need further input from the maintainers before considered ready to implement.
+ Our process is usually not to assign issues to anyone, so we avoid blocking someone else from working on it.
+ If you are interested in one, check if there is a PR related to the issue already, and if not simply go ahead and submit one!
+5. Come chat with the website maintainers in [#matrix.org-website:matrix.org](https://matrix.to/#/%23matrix.org-website%3Amatrix.org) :)
+
## What we are trying to achieve
One key mission of the Foundation is to make Matrix a mainstream protocol. For this, onboarding needs to be made easy for new users. The Matrix.org website is a critical step in this journey: this is where people land when they look up "what is Matrix chat" or "chatting on Matrix" in a search engine.
From c4d61e46847419224c3dbb4668f905f89c0b44f4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Kim Brose <2803622+HarHarLinks@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:14:10 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 2/7] Fix md ol numbering
Signed-off-by: Kim Brose <2803622+HarHarLinks@users.noreply.github.com>
---
CONTRIBUTING.md | 6 +++---
1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 635c0c5ce..4c7db89ae 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -26,15 +26,15 @@ Here are 3 simple steps to get started submitting PRs:
We also recommend skimming our README for some tips in dealing with the repo and how to test your changes locally,
and our [CONTENT.md](./CONTENT.md) for further help on how to work on specific parts of the website.
See our documentation [below](#review--publishing-policy) about our expectations and what you can expect in return.
-3. Share your idea first - see [How we take decisions](#how-we-take-decisions).
-4. Pick an issue and submit a PR!
+1. Share your idea first - see [How we take decisions](#how-we-take-decisions).
+1. Pick an issue and submit a PR!
We maintain several labels on our issues to make it easier to find one that suits you.
The [help wanted](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22help%20wanted%22) label is for issues we actively think are easy to tackle by outside contributors,
and we have [good first issue](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22good%20first%20issue%22) for those that are particularly suited to get started.
The label [needs decision](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22needs%20decision%22) marks issues that first need further input from the maintainers before considered ready to implement.
Our process is usually not to assign issues to anyone, so we avoid blocking someone else from working on it.
If you are interested in one, check if there is a PR related to the issue already, and if not simply go ahead and submit one!
-5. Come chat with the website maintainers in [#matrix.org-website:matrix.org](https://matrix.to/#/%23matrix.org-website%3Amatrix.org) :)
+1. Come chat with the website maintainers in [#matrix.org-website:matrix.org](https://matrix.to/#/%23matrix.org-website%3Amatrix.org) :)
## What we are trying to achieve
From ef947070d394867cc7cd88fca1a1e47c7750f4b1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Kim Brose <2803622+HarHarLinks@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:16:57 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 3/7] typos
Signed-off-by: Kim Brose <2803622+HarHarLinks@users.noreply.github.com>
---
CONTRIBUTING.md | 2 +-
1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 4c7db89ae..dfdd07c4f 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Thank you for taking the time to contribute to Matrix!
This is the repository for the matrix.org website, available at .
-## How to start contibuting
+## How to start contributing
Contributors to this repository are very welcome and we try to make it easy for newcomers and infrequent contributors to help!
Please always let the maintainers know when something is unclear.
From 82d18480fbc8f00997cf685edb592de26ae307fa Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Kim Brose <2803622+HarHarLinks@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2026 21:33:16 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 4/7] Improve wording
Co-authored-by: Jack S. <181536874+awtj8o81ryywg793@users.noreply.github.com>
Signed-off-by: Kim Brose <2803622+HarHarLinks@users.noreply.github.com>
---
CONTRIBUTING.md | 17 ++++++++---------
1 file changed, 8 insertions(+), 9 deletions(-)
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index dfdd07c4f..b10594f91 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -6,17 +6,16 @@ This is the repository for the matrix.org website, available at
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:38:33 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 5/7] Reformat issue labels as list
Co-authored-by: Jack S. <181536874+awtj8o81ryywg793@users.noreply.github.com>
Signed-off-by: Kim Brose <2803622+HarHarLinks@users.noreply.github.com>
---
CONTRIBUTING.md | 10 ++++++----
1 file changed, 6 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index b10594f91..92f8fccbc 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -27,10 +27,12 @@ Here are 3 simple steps to get started submitting PRs:
See our documentation [below](#review--publishing-policy) about our expectations and what you can expect in return.
1. Share your idea first - see [How we take decisions](#how-we-take-decisions).
1. Pick an issue and submit a PR!
- We maintain several labels on our issues to make it easier to find one that suits you.
- The [help wanted](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22help%20wanted%22) label is for issues we actively think are easy to tackle by outside contributors,
- and we have [good first issue](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22good%20first%20issue%22) for those that are particularly suited to get started.
- The label [needs decision](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22needs%20decision%22) marks issues that first need further input from the maintainers before considered ready to implement.
+ We use several labels to make it easier to find an issue that suits you:
+
+ - [help wanted](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22help%20wanted%22) - issues we consider easy for outside contributors to tackle.
+ - [good first issue](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22good%20first%20issue%22) - issues that are particularly well suited for new contributors.
+ - [needs decision](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22needs%20decision%22) - issues that require further input from maintainers before they can be addressed.
+
Our process is usually not to assign issues to anyone, so we avoid blocking someone else from working on it.
If you are interested in one, check if there is a PR related to the issue already, and if not simply go ahead and submit one!
1. Come chat with the website maintainers in [#matrix.org-website:matrix.org](https://matrix.to/#/%23matrix.org-website%3Amatrix.org) :)
From ae8da5b1cdf286078b97f53f8bab872e9f0983bd Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Kim Brose <2803622+HarHarLinks@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:55:43 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 6/7] Improve wording
Co-authored-by: Jack S. <181536874+awtj8o81ryywg793@users.noreply.github.com>
Signed-off-by: Kim Brose <2803622+HarHarLinks@users.noreply.github.com>
---
CONTRIBUTING.md | 14 +++++++-------
1 file changed, 7 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 92f8fccbc..2eb016499 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -19,13 +19,13 @@ Helping out can take many forms. A lot of work on the website involves coding, b
Join [#matrix.org-website:matrix.org](https://matrix.to/#/%23matrix.org-website%3Amatrix.org) to reach out!
-Here are 3 simple steps to get started submitting PRs:
+Here are a few simple steps to help you get started with submitting a Pull Request (PR):
1. Check out our contributing docs - you're already here, just continue on reading!
- We also recommend skimming our README for some tips in dealing with the repo and how to test your changes locally,
- and our [CONTENT.md](./CONTENT.md) for further help on how to work on specific parts of the website.
- See our documentation [below](#review--publishing-policy) about our expectations and what you can expect in return.
-1. Share your idea first - see [How we take decisions](#how-we-take-decisions).
+ We also recommend reading our [README.md](./README.md) for tips on working with the repository and testing your changes locally,
+ and our [CONTENT.md](./CONTENT.md) for further guidance on working on specific parts of the website.
+ See our review and publishing [documentation](#review--publishing-policy) for more information about our expectations and what you can expect in return.
+1. Share your idea first - for more information, please read about [how we take decisions](#how-we-take-decisions).
1. Pick an issue and submit a PR!
We use several labels to make it easier to find an issue that suits you:
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ Here are 3 simple steps to get started submitting PRs:
- [needs decision](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22needs%20decision%22) - issues that require further input from maintainers before they can be addressed.
Our process is usually not to assign issues to anyone, so we avoid blocking someone else from working on it.
- If you are interested in one, check if there is a PR related to the issue already, and if not simply go ahead and submit one!
-1. Come chat with the website maintainers in [#matrix.org-website:matrix.org](https://matrix.to/#/%23matrix.org-website%3Amatrix.org) :)
+ If you’re interested in a particular issue, check whether there’s already a related PR. If there isn’t, go ahead and open a PR.
+1. Come chat with the website maintainers and other contributors in [#matrix.org-website:matrix.org](https://matrix.to/#/%23matrix.org-website%3Amatrix.org).
## What we are trying to achieve
From 82354b71c77ac46060c31aefb966418b2b9fcd2d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Kim Brose <2803622+HarHarLinks@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:56:42 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 7/7] Improve wording
Signed-off-by: Kim Brose <2803622+HarHarLinks@users.noreply.github.com>
---
CONTRIBUTING.md | 2 +-
1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 2eb016499..05f03388a 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ Here are a few simple steps to help you get started with submitting a Pull Reque
- [good first issue](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22good%20first%20issue%22) - issues that are particularly well suited for new contributors.
- [needs decision](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix.org/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20state%3Aopen%20label%3A%22needs%20decision%22) - issues that require further input from maintainers before they can be addressed.
- Our process is usually not to assign issues to anyone, so we avoid blocking someone else from working on it.
+ Our process is usually not to assign issues to anyone in order to avoid blocking someone else from working on it.
If you’re interested in a particular issue, check whether there’s already a related PR. If there isn’t, go ahead and open a PR.
1. Come chat with the website maintainers and other contributors in [#matrix.org-website:matrix.org](https://matrix.to/#/%23matrix.org-website%3Amatrix.org).