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contrib.rocks: Generate an Image of GitHub Repositories Top Contributors

Julien Déramond
Julien Déramond
Open {re}Source • Bootstrap • Orange

contrib.rocks is an online tool that generates an image showcasing the top contributors of a GitHub repository, which can be embedded in websites or Markdown files, including README files. This free service, provides a visual representation of repository activity, celebrating and encouraging contributions.

Using contrib.rocks is straightforward: visit the website, enter a GitHub repository name, and generate an image representing its top contributors. The tool offers options to customize the image, such as setting the maximum number of contributors and the number of columns. This visual representation can be embedded using provided HTML or Markdown code, enhancing the visibility and appeal of a project’s README or website.

Repobeats: GitHub README analytics

Julien Déramond
Julien Déramond
Open {re}Source • Bootstrap • Orange

Repobeats is a tool that provides analytics for GitHub repositories, allowing users to embed detailed visual representations of repository activity into any Markdown file, including README files. Maintained by axiom.com, Repobeats is free to use but not open source. It offers insights like the number of contributions in the last 30 days, the ratio of opened to closed issues, the number of PRs opened and commits, and a heatmap showcasing top contributors’ activity. This visual representation highlights repository activity, encourages contributions, and celebrates top contributors.

To install Repobeats, users need a GitHub account. Simply log into Repobeats with GitHub credentials, select the repository to analyze, and obtain a URL for embedding the analytics image into Markdown files. This URL provides a comprehensive snapshot of repository activity, demonstrated with examples from repositories like openresource.dev and freeCodeCamp. Repobeats’ ability to display real-time data makes it a valuable resource for promoting and managing open-source projects on GitHub.

GitHub Marketplace: Social Preview for Your GitHub Actions

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Julien Déramond
Julien Déramond
Open {re}Source • Bootstrap • Orange

When sharing a GitHub Action on social media, the default preview image might prominently display your GitHub profile picture, as seen with the “Update Issue Body” action on the GitHub Marketplace. To make a more informative and visually appealing preview, you can add a custom social preview image to your GitHub repository. This custom image enhances the appearance of social media posts and is also used when sharing links to your GitHub Action on the Marketplace.

Creating a custom social preview image is straightforward and guided by GitHub’s documentation. The recommended size is 1280x640 pixels for optimal display on high-resolution devices. GitHub provides a template with safe zones to use as a starting point. After designing and uploading the image, tools like opengraph.xyz can verify its appearance across social media platforms. For a ready-made solution, a reusable Figma template named “GitHub Actions and Repo Social Previews” simplifies the creation of custom images.

Display Your Sponsors in Your GitHub READMEs

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Julien Déramond
Julien Déramond
Open {re}Source • Bootstrap • Orange

Showcasing your sponsors in GitHub READMEs is a great way to acknowledge their support and attract potential sponsors. An easy way to do this is by using SponsorKit, developed by Anthony Fu. SponsorKit generates sponsor images compatible with GitHub Sponsors, Open Collective, Patreon, and Afdian. By following a few steps, you can create and display these sponsor images in your project’s README file. You’ll need a GitHub account, at least one sponsor, and a personal access token. A template repository is available to simplify the setup process.

Can I Take This Issue?

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Julien Déramond
Julien Déramond
Open {re}Source • Bootstrap • Orange

Open-source software development thrives on the contributions of volunteers with varying skills and backgrounds. Project maintainers play a critical role in ensuring these contributions are of high quality and align with the project’s goals. However, issues arise when contributors do not read guidelines or maintainers do not assign issues, leading to confusion and frustration. This lack of clear communication can leave contributors feeling undervalued and discourage them from contributing further.

Maintainers have different reasons for not assigning issues, such as limited resources and large communities. Assigning issues can enhance efficiency, accountability, and resource management but may also create perceptions of favoritism or stifle collaboration. To address these challenges, maintainers should establish clear communication channels, use tools like saved replies, and maintain comprehensive contribution guidelines. By fostering a transparent and supportive environment, maintainers can better manage contributions and maintain a healthy, active community.