Bonsai Checklist: 5 Rules to Make Your Open-Source Project Popular

Any developer may want or need to create an open-source project at some point. While motivations for doing so vary, knowing how to increase your project's popularity and attract new contributors and users is always beneficial. I would say that setting up and — what’s even more important — maintaining an open-source project is truly a form of art. The closest comparison that comes to mind is the ancient Japanese art of Bonsai. You need to grow your project — and the community around it! — leaf by leaf and twig by twig. It takes generations of masters to grow a real Bonsai: some of these little spectacular trees are more than a thousand years old. Luckily, in the tech industry, things happen much faster and bring fruit or failure within years, not centuries. But, like any art, open-source project growth is based on several basic rules. Today, I invite you to go through these basics so that one day your project gets big, strong, and beautiful. Get yourself a cup of good tea, embrace Zen, and let’s get on!

Rule 1: Document Everything Clearly

Documentation is the shopfront of your project. It’s the first thing new users and developers encounter when they explore it. It clarifies the project’s purpose, capabilities, and limitations, helping users assess whether it’s suitable for their needs. Without clear instructions on installation, configuration, and usage, even the most advanced project risks fading into obscurity. Without quality documentation, all your other efforts might be in vain because users won’t know how to navigate your product, and developers won’t know how to contribute effectively. They might not even figure out what your project does or how to use it. 

Documentation has been a headache for generations of developers, requiring almost as much time, effort, and resources as the dev process itself. Luckily, things have changed lately: now we have a plethora of automation bells and whistles at hand to make things easier. Using tools like Sphinx, ReadTheDocs, and Jekyll, you can create dynamically updated documents accessible to everyone in a snap.

Still, if you decide to stick to a minimalistic approach in documentation, even a proper README file is better than nothing. But "proper" is the keyword here. At the very least, your README should include the following points:

1. Brief project description: What it does, what problem(s) it solves
2. Installation requirements: List of dependencies and software versions
3. Installation instructions: A step-by-step guide to setting up the project locally
4. Usage examples: Showcasing key features with sample commands or code
5. Links to detailed documentation: Sophisticated projects should include two instruction versions, basic and advanced.

When writing documentation, think of users and contributors as your colleagues needing quick onboarding. Even the most basic documentation can save a lot of time, lower the entry barrier, and make your project more appealing to newcomers. And you don’t need perfection right away: start small and improve your documentation as the project evolves. The simpler and clearer, the better.

Rule 2: Reveal Your Development Plan

Transparent and accessible plans are powerful tools for attracting users and contributors to your project. Here are the essentials that your plan should explain:

1. Goals: A well-defined set of goals can attract users and motivate them to contribute to the project’s growth.
2. Key tasks: Breaking down the project’s goals into smaller tasks helps users understand the project’s direction and build confidence in it.
3. Beginner-friendly tasks: Make entry points for developers of all levels, giving them a chance to dive into the project and become more involved and committed to its progress.
4. Roadmap: Allow users and contributors to see the path you intend to follow.

A public development plan not only shows that the project is active but also encourages people to join the effort, helping to build trust and attract new contributors.

Rule 3: Listen Carefully, Respond Quickly

Whereas the code with all its forks and twists represents the roots, trunk, and branches of your Bonsai, your project’s community is the tree crown. Without it, your project might still be beautiful, but it is dead. So community management skills are really essential when it comes to open source.

First, listening to users and developers is crucial because their feedback and suggestions can be incredibly valuable. But even when their input seems insignificant, it's important to create a welcoming environment where every participant feels their contribution matters.

Second, to keep your project’s community alive and vibrant, make sure there are convenient feedback channels, such as forums, messaging groups, or GitHub discussions. Pay attention to all comments and suggestions.

Third, responding in a timely manner is also very important. When contributors see their ideas being considered, they feel like part of the process and are more likely to stay involved. Even if you disagree with the suggestions, respond respectfully, explain your reasons, and offer alternative ways to contribute. This fosters enthusiasm and engagement among developers.

Special attention should be given to pull requests. Quick responses to pull requests are crucial for motivating contributors. The less time they spend waiting for feedback, the more interested they are in continuing their work with the project. If you can’t review a request immediately, let them know when you are able to.

Stay connected with the community by publishing updates and answering questions. Regular interaction creates an open and transparent atmosphere, making your project more attractive and ultimately more popular.

Rule 4: Share Your Project Everywhere

Don’t be shy about promotion. When it comes to growing an open-source project, modesty may actually not serve you well. If you want to attract attention and foster growth, it’s important to actively promote the project and seek opportunities for collaboration and exposure.

Reach out to other open-source developers and creators. Collaborations can expand your project’s functionality and introduce it to new audiences. Contact other authors, explain how your project could be useful, and suggest integrations or joint work on new features.

Promote your project on every available platform. Social media is an excellent way to raise awareness. Share updates on new releases, usage examples, and engage in discussions on platforms like DZone, Twitter, Reddit, and LinkedIn.

Don’t limit yourself to online promotion. Talk about your project with friends, colleagues, and professional communities. Participating in developer events, conferences, or hackathons can also significantly boost your project’s visibility. Don’t be afraid to be the "face" of your project: explain why it’s important and how it can help solve real-world problems.

Increasing the number of people aware of your project increases its chances of success.

Rule 5: Don’t Be Toxic!

Growing a Bonsai always involves cutting off redundant twigs and leaves. But this should be done gently: rude ways inevitably damage or even kill your creation. That’s why communication style, although being part of community management, deserves a rule of its own. Courtesy and patience are keys to unlocking your project’s popularity.

When developers and users ask questions or make suggestions, always respond with respect, even if you disagree with their opinions. By showing patience and providing meaningful and convincing responses, you create an atmosphere of trust and support, encouraging continued interaction with the project. Nobody wants to work with toxic leaders, so it’s crucial to remain positive even in stressful situations.

Toxicity, whether in the form of sharp responses, a condescending tone, or ignoring others' opinions, can quickly drive away potential contributors. A project with a reputation for having an unfriendly community rapidly loses its appeal, as most developers prefer working in a supportive and friendly environment where their ideas and contributions are valued.

Conclusion

The word "tech" is often associated with hardware, chips, and algorithms, something that lacks life and soul. Well, "tech" might be an awkward word to define our industry because it is actually a living thing. It is a forest with countless circles of life, where every project grows, matures, and comes to pass, transforming into something else and paving the way for the future. Open source projects are the pinnacle of this concept — and the grassroots level of the tech forest. They are immensely vulnerable, but still, they possess immense power because they are based solely on people, their ideas, and their communications. In a way, this is one of the purest and the most original forms of tech. And, like many old arts, it is not just about the results, but also about The Way, helping you gain a more profound understanding of the world around you and yourself. So I wish you the best of luck in mastering it.