Contributing to Ruby on Rails might seem difficult, especially if you’re new to open source. But the first step is ensuring that the gems your application depends on are compatible with new Ruby and Rails versions. Many gems power your Rails app, and improving them is a great way to get comfortable with open-source development.
This session is designed for developers who are interested in open source but don’t know where to begin. We’ll explore why contributing to gems is an ideal first step—it helps ensure compatibility, improves your understanding of Rails, and makes a meaningful impact. You’ll learn how to find issues, interact with maintainers, and submit your first pull request with confidence.
We’ll also discuss best practices for running CI across different Rails and Ruby versions and how to address compatibility issues. By the end of this talk, you’ll have a clear roadmap to start contributing and making an impact in the Rails ecosystem.