This document provides an introduction to contributing to Drupal with no programming experience. It outlines the basic tools needed like Git and Drupal core, how to get started with novice issues and documentation work, resources for help like core mentoring hours, and ways to get involved through local meetups or starting your own events. The goal is to show that contributing is accessible and can deepen your Drupal knowledge and skills while helping clients and the community.

1. Contributing–
It’s Not as Hard
as It Looks
Karl Kaufmann @karolus

2. If you aren’t in over your head,
how do you know how tall you are?
-T.S. ELIOT

3. About Me
• Fine Arts background, no formal
programming education or training
• Visual and Graphic Design
• Started Drupal by doing—on a deadline project
• Enjoy the challenge of learning new things

4. What’s In It for Me?
• It’s for anyone, even if you have
no programming experience
• Deepen your knowledge of Drupal,
and tackle projects more quickly
• Boost your bottom line, and help
clients and colleagues to boot!

5. Setting Up Your Environment
• Tools Needed: Git, Acquia
Dev Desktop, Drupal 8 core
• Code editing—user choice
of command line or
dedicated apps such as
SublimeText
• Web browser development
tools—already installed or
free downloads

6. Introduction to the Issue Queue
• http://drupal.org/project/
issues
• Go under Advanced
Search, and filter by the
issue tag Novice

7. Patch & Documentation Work
• Get started on testing
and fixing
• Test and reroll patches
• No need to worry–
all code is checked
• Documentation editing
is urgently needed

8. Core Mentoring
• Overcome stumbling blocks
by reaching out to the
community
• Drupal Office Hours:
Monday: 10pm-12am EDT
Wednesday: Noon-2pm EDT
• IRC Handle: #drupal

9. How You Can Get Involved
• Join programs in your
area, such as local
Meetups/get-togethers
• Starting in-house events
at your organization
• Skype/IRC/webinars for
contributors working
remotely

10. Wrap-Up
Suggested Resources
• Drupal: http://drupal.org & http://drupical.com
• Drupal Ladder (for organizing sprints): http://drupalladder.org
• Meetup (for Drupal Events): http://www.meetup.com
• LevelUpTuts Videos: http://leveluptuts.com
• YouTube: Search Drupal and/or specific topic

11. Thank You
@karolus
karolus (drupal.org username)
kkaufmann@karlkaufmann.com
karlkaufmann.com