# Contributing to the AlmaLinux project

AlmaLinux OS development, infrastructure management, and overall project promotion are organized using our community chat. There are many ways to contribute to AlmaLinux OS - testing, quality assurance, documentation, and more. We'd love to welcome you! Take a look at the list of SIGs, then join the AlmaLinux chat on Mattermost (opens new window), and introduce yourself (opens new window) or join one of the topical channels below to find out more!

# Help with reporting bugs and making fixes

Since AlmaLinux aims to be as close to RHEL as possible, it should have nearly identical bugs as the current release of RHEL. AlmaLinux recommends following an "upstream first" approach in order to help not just the AlmaLinux but the whole EL community:

  • Try to reproduce the steps and check whether the bug is present in CentOS Stream or has been already fixed.
  • If present, it means that the bug is upstream. Please, submit the bug to CentOS Stream bugzilla (opens new window) providing all the necessary information about an issue and reproducing steps. This is the contribution path to get the bug fix into the upstream, which will, in turn, be built into AlmaLinux.
  • If you are able to help investigate and fix the bug, please collaborate with CentOS Stream, as this is the best an AlmaLinux Community Member can do. Check the CentOS Contributor's Guide (opens new window) for more details.
  • If the bug is AlmaLinux-specific, please open a bug on AlmaLinux Bug Tracker (opens new window) providing all the necessary information about an issue and reproducing steps.

Please, file your bugs (opens new window) and join us for discussions on GitHub (opens new window) and on AlmaLinux Chat on Mattermost (opens new window).

If you are interested in contributing, and learning more details about the technology stack of the tool and tests, please, visit the repository (opens new window).

Also, you might be interested with ELevate Project Contribution Guide.

# Specific Areas We Need Help With

Each SIG has their own specific focus areas that are looking for help, but here are some more general ones!

# 1. Help with reporting bugs and making fixes

To make AlmaLinux successful, we need the close involvement of the community members. We use our bug tracking system to find, track, and fix bugs. We encourage AlmaLinux users to help us by filling in bug-reports. You can track and discuss all bugs on bugs.almalinux.org (opens new window).

# 2. Improve the documentation

The importance of documentation cannot be understated, as it is like an investment in the future. It can take time and energy, but it is essential to create full and comprehensive documentation together.

If you want to participate, please, follow the guidelines.

# 4. Help with Azure mirrors deployment

We want to make sure that AlmaLinux images in Azure Cloud will use local mirrors for each region, and don't pay for traffic. More info here.

# 5. Promotion, blog posts, translations, and more!

If you are looking to flex skills not directly involved in development, we are always looking for guest blog posts, help with translations of our website, folks to staff events, and much more! Reach out in the Marketing (opens new window) channel for more info!

# 6. More ways to help for DevOps & Programmers

# Need assistance? We are here to help!

If you're seeking assistance in connecting with the appropriate individual or group, or if you're interested in guidance on becoming a contributor to AlmaLinux, please don't hesitate to reach out. Join chat or reach out on our forums (opens new window)! Our community of amazing users of all experience levels are happy to help you puzzle out your problem.