How to Find “Good First Issues” on GitHub: A Practical, Step-by-Step Guide
If you want to contribute to open source but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone. Many developers want to dive in but struggle to find issues that are both approachable and meaningful. The good news: GitHub makes this easier than it looks. With the right workflow, you can consistently uncover clear, beginner-friendly issues in active, healthy projects.
1. Choose Your Focus
Before searching, narrow your scope. Pick one or two languages or domains you want to work with. Ask yourself:
Which languages do I enjoy (or want to learn)?
Do I prefer small, friendly projects or large, well-known ones?
This clarity keeps your search focused and increases your chances of finding good matches.
2. Use GitHub’s Issue Search
GitHub’s search is powerful once you know how to use it. Start with this query and customize it:
is:issue is:open label:"good first issue" no:assignee language:JavaScript sort:updated-desc
This query:
shows only open issues
filters for issues labeled “good first issue”
hides issues already taken
limits results to JavaScript
sorts by recent activity
You can also target specific organizations or repositories:
org:mozilla
repo:facebook/react
3. Try Alternative Labels
Not every project uses the same label. To broaden your search, repeat your search with labels like:
good-first-issue
first-timers-only
beginner
up-for-grabs
help wanted
Many maintainers use their own conventions, so checking these variations helps you find more opportunities.
4. Check Project Activity
A “good first issue” isn’t helpful if the project is inactive. Always check:
recent commits
recent issues or PRs with maintainer replies
whether other contributors get feedback
Look for active repos where maintainers actively guide contributors. You’ll learn more and avoid wasting your time.
5. Evaluate the Issue Itself
A high-quality beginner issue usually:
explains the problem clearly
includes steps to reproduce
defines what “done” looks like
stays small in scope
remains unassigned
Avoid vague issues or massive refactors. Start with tasks you can complete within a few hours to one weekend.
6. Use Aggregator Sites
If you want a faster setup, use curated sites that surface friendly issues:
goodfirstissues
up-for-grabs
CodeTriage
first-timers-only
They scan GitHub repositories and present beginner-friendly issues by language or topic. These sites save time and reduce noise.
7. Read the Project’s CONTRIBUTING Guide
Before you write code, read CONTRIBUTING.md and the project's README. These files teach you:
How to run tests
What coding style does the repo expect
How maintainers want PRs structured
Consistent contributors get their pull requests merged faster, and this step makes that possible.
8. Claim the Issue
Once you find an issue you want to work on, claim it politely. Leave a short comment:
Hi! I’d like to work on this. I plan to fork the repo and open a draft PR. Let me know if you have any guidance before I begin.
This prevents duplicate work and signals you’re serious.
9. Start Small and Commit Cleanly
When you begin coding:
create a new branch
keep commits focused and readable
write or update tests
follow linters and style rules
test locally before submitting
Reference the issue in your PR.
Example:
Fixes #123
In your PR description, summarize what you changed, how to test it, and why it matters.
10. Stay Engaged After You Submit
Maintainers may ask questions or request changes. Respond promptly and keep communication positive. If the project uses CLAs or sign-offs, follow the instructions. If your PR gets stuck, politely ping after a reasonable time.
Bonus: Helpful Templates
Search Query (Copy & Paste)
is:issue is:open label:"good first issue" no:assignee language:Python sort:updated-desc
Issue Claim Comment
Hi! I’d like to take this on. I’ll start with a fork and a small initial PR. Let me know if there are any details I should consider before beginning.
Pull Request Template
Fixes #<issue-number>
### Summary
Short explanation of the changes.
### How to Test
1. Steps to reproduce the issue.
2. Steps to verify the fix.
3. Tests added or updated.
### Notes
Extra context or follow-up tasks.
Final Thoughts
Open-source work isn’t only for experts. You learn faster by contributing, and “good first issues” give you a safe, guided entry point. With this workflow, you can quickly find approachable tasks, build confidence, and grow into larger contributions.
