Contribute to Metric Panda

Help us build privacy-first analytics that respects users and empowers developers.
Every contribution makes the web a little bit better.

Why We're Open Source

Metric Panda is built on the belief that privacy-first analytics should be accessible to everyone. By keeping our core platform open source, we ensure transparency, encourage innovation, and build trust with developers who value understanding exactly what their tools do.

We're not trying to build a walled garden or lock developers into our ecosystem. Instead, we want to create something that grows stronger with community input — where the best ideas win regardless of where they come from.

Open Source Commitment	What This Means	How It Helps You
MIT Licensed Core	✓ Free to use commercially ✓ Modify and distribute freely ✓ No licensing fees ever ✓ Fork and customize as needed	✓ Self-host without restrictions ✓ Build on top of our platform ✓ Integrate with existing tools ✓ Full control over your analytics
Transparent Development	✓ All code visible on GitHub ✓ Open issue tracking ✓ Public roadmap discussions ✓ Community-driven features	✓ Verify privacy claims yourself ✓ See what's coming next ✓ Request features that matter ✓ Trust through transparency
Community First	✓ Welcoming to all skill levels ✓ Clear contribution guidelines ✓ Responsive maintainer team ✓ Recognition for contributors	✓ Learn and improve skills ✓ Build your open source portfolio ✓ Connect with like-minded developers ✓ Make meaningful impact

Ways to Contribute

Every type of contribution is valuable, regardless of your experience level.
Choose what interests you most and fits your available time.

Code Contributions

Fix bugs, add features, improve performance, or enhance security. PHP, JavaScript, and SQL skills welcome.

Documentation

Write guides, improve existing docs, create tutorials, or help with translations. Make Metric Panda easier to use for everyone.

Testing & QA

Test new features, report bugs, verify fixes, or help with cross-platform compatibility testing.

Community Support

Help other users in discussions, answer questions, share installation tips, or provide feedback on proposed features.

Ideas & Feedback

Suggest new features, provide UX feedback, share use cases, or help prioritize the roadmap based on real-world needs.

Spread the Word

Write blog posts, create tutorials, speak at conferences, or simply recommend Metric Panda to others who value privacy.

Getting Started as a Contributor

Ready to contribute? Here's how to get started, whether you're a seasoned open source contributor or completely new to collaborative development.

Step	What to Do	Resources & Links
1. Explore the Codebase	✓ Browse the repository structure ✓ Read the README and documentation ✓ Try self-hosting locally ✓ Check existing issues and discussions	Main Repository Installation Guide Contributing Guidelines
2. Set Up Development Environment	✓ Fork the repository ✓ Clone your fork locally ✓ Set up PHP/MySQL development stack ✓ Run tests to ensure everything works	Fork Repository Development Setup Guide
3. Find Your First Contribution	✓ Look for "good first issue" labels ✓ Check documentation gaps ✓ Fix typos or improve comments ✓ Join discussions on proposed features	Good First Issues GitHub Discussions
4. Submit Your Contribution	✓ Create a feature branch ✓ Make your changes with clear commits ✓ Test thoroughly before submitting ✓ Open a pull request with good description	Pull Request Guidelines Testing Guide

Our Development Philosophy

Understanding our core principles helps ensure that contributions align with the project's goals and maintain the quality and focus that makes Metric Panda special.

Privacy First, Always	Every feature and decision must respect user privacy. If it compromises privacy, we don't build it. No exceptions.
Simple Over Complex	Choose the simpler solution that solves the real problem. Complexity should be hidden from users, not added for its own sake.
Performance Matters	Fast loading, minimal resource usage, and efficient code. Every millisecond counts for user experience.
Documentation as Code	Good documentation isn't optional. If it's worth building, it's worth explaining clearly.
Backward Compatibility	Don't break existing installations without very good reason and clear migration paths.
Community Respect	Treat all contributors with respect. Foster inclusive, welcoming environment for developers of all backgrounds and skill levels.
Real-World Testing	Code should work in real environments, not just development setups. Consider shared hosting, resource constraints, and diverse configurations.
Security by Design	Security considerations from the start, not bolted on later. Follow secure coding practices and regular security reviews.

Contribution Guidelines & Code of Conduct

We want Metric Panda's community to be welcoming, productive, and focused on building something great together. These guidelines help ensure everyone has a positive experience.

Area	Guidelines	What This Looks Like
Code Quality	✓ Follow existing code style ✓ Write clear, commented code ✓ Include tests for new features ✓ Update documentation	✓ Consistent indentation and naming ✓ Clear variable and function names ✓ Unit tests for new functionality ✓ Updated README or docs
Communication	✓ Be respectful and professional ✓ Ask questions when unclear ✓ Provide constructive feedback ✓ Help others when you can	✓ "Could you explain this approach?" ✓ "This might be improved by..." ✓ Share knowledge and resources ✓ Welcome newcomers warmly
Pull Requests	✓ One feature or fix per PR ✓ Clear description of changes ✓ Reference related issues ✓ Test on multiple environments	✓ Focus on single problem/feature ✓ Explain why change is needed ✓ Link to issue: "Fixes #123" ✓ Test on PHP 7.4, 8.0, 8.1+
Issues & Bugs	✓ Search existing issues first ✓ Provide detailed reproduction steps ✓ Include environment information ✓ Use issue templates when available	✓ Check for duplicates ✓ Step-by-step to reproduce ✓ PHP version, OS, server type ✓ Follow bug report template

Code of Conduct: We follow the Contributor Covenant code of conduct. Be kind, be professional, and help create a welcoming environment for everyone.

Recognition & Community

Contributors are the heart of Metric Panda. We recognize and celebrate every contribution, from fixing typos to building major features.

Recognition Type	Who Qualifies	What You Get
Contributors List	Anyone with merged PR or accepted contribution	✓ Name in README contributors section ✓ GitHub contributor badge ✓ Contributor role in community
Featured Contributors	Regular contributors with multiple contributions	✓ Featured on website ✓ Special contributor badge ✓ Early access to new features
Core Contributors	Long-term contributors with significant impact	✓ Repository maintainer access ✓ Roadmap planning involvement ✓ Speaking opportunities

Every contribution matters. Whether you fix a spelling error or build a new dashboard feature, you're helping make analytics more privacy-friendly for websites everywhere.