Collaborating with the Drupal Community: Creating Forks

Introduction

Collaborating with the Drupal.org community is an excellent way to contribute to the platform's development and improve the experience for all users. A modern and efficient way to collaborate is by creating forks instead of patches. In this article, we will show you how to start creating forks and submitting pull requests (PRs) to contribute to the Drupal community.

What is a Fork?

A fork is a complete copy of a repository that allows you to make changes without affecting the original repository. By using a fork, you can develop new features, fix bugs, or experiment with the code. After making your changes, you can submit a pull request for your changes to be reviewed and possibly incorporated into the original repository.

Steps to Create a Fork in Drupal

1. Find an Issue

To start, find an issue on Drupal.org that you want to resolve. Go to the project's issue section and look for open problems. Tags like "novice" or "needs work" can help find simpler tasks.

2. Fork the Repository

On the project's page on GitHub (or another platform), click the "Fork" button to create a copy of the repository on your account.

3. Clone the Fork Locally

Clone the forked repository to your local development environment to start working on the changes:

git clone https://github.com/your-account/project-name.git
cd project-name

4. Create a Branch for the Issue

Create a new branch to work on the issue. This helps keep your changes organized.
 

git checkout -b [branch-name]

5. Make the Necessary Changes

Make the necessary changes to the code to resolve the issue. Test your changes locally to ensure they work as expected and do not introduce new problems.

6. Commit and Push the Changes

After testing your changes, commit and push them to your fork on GitHub:
 

git add .
git commit -m "Description of changes"
git push origin [branch-name]

7. Create a Pull Request

On GitHub, go to the original repository and create a pull request (PR) from your fork. Clearly describe the changes you made and, if possible, include screenshots or examples of how to test your changes.

Tips for Collaborating with the Community

• Documentation: Always document your changes well and clearly explain what the PR does.
• Testing: Test your changes extensively and, if possible, write automated tests to ensure code quality.
• Feedback: Be open to feedback and willing to make adjustments based on community comments.
• Participation: Participate in issue discussions and forums. Collaboration is a two-way street!

Conclusion

Creating forks and collaborating with the Drupal.org community is a modern and efficient way to contribute to the Drupal ecosystem. With the steps and tips presented in this article, you are ready to start creating your own forks and submitting pull requests to make a difference in the Drupal community.