# Contributing to GitFlow Analytics

Thank you for your interest in contributing to GitFlow Analytics! This guide will help you get started with contributing to the project.

## 🚀 Quick Start

1. **Fork the repository** on GitHub
2. **Clone your fork** locally:
   ```bash
   git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/gitflow-analytics.git
   cd gitflow-analytics
   ```
3. **Set up development environment** (see [Development Setup](development-setup.md))
4. **Create a feature branch**:
   ```bash
   git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name
   ```
5. **Make your changes** following our [Coding Standards](coding-standards.md)
6. **Test your changes** (see [Testing Guide](testing-guide.md))
7. **Submit a pull request**

## 📋 Types of Contributions

### 🐛 Bug Reports
- Use the GitHub issue template
- Include steps to reproduce
- Provide system information
- Include relevant logs or error messages

### ✨ Feature Requests
- Check existing issues first
- Describe the problem you're solving
- Provide use cases and examples
- Consider implementation complexity

### 🔧 Code Contributions
- Bug fixes
- New features
- Performance improvements
- Documentation updates
- Test coverage improvements

### 📚 Documentation
- API documentation
- User guides
- Examples and tutorials
- README improvements

## 🏗️ Development Workflow

### Branch Naming
- `feature/description` - New features
- `fix/description` - Bug fixes
- `docs/description` - Documentation updates
- `refactor/description` - Code refactoring
- `test/description` - Test improvements

### Commit Messages
Follow conventional commit format:
```
type(scope): description

[optional body]

[optional footer]
```

Types: `feat`, `fix`, `docs`, `style`, `refactor`, `perf`, `test`, `chore`

Examples:
- `feat(cli): add new report format option`
- `fix(cache): resolve race condition in batch processing`
- `docs(api): update configuration schema documentation`

### Pull Request Process

1. **Update documentation** if needed
2. **Add tests** for new functionality
3. **Ensure all tests pass**
4. **Update CHANGELOG.md** if applicable
5. **Request review** from maintainers

#### PR Title Format
Use conventional commit format for PR titles.

#### PR Description Template
```markdown
## Description
Brief description of changes

## Type of Change
- [ ] Bug fix
- [ ] New feature
- [ ] Breaking change
- [ ] Documentation update

## Testing
- [ ] Tests pass locally
- [ ] Added new tests
- [ ] Manual testing completed

## Checklist
- [ ] Code follows style guidelines
- [ ] Self-review completed
- [ ] Documentation updated
- [ ] No breaking changes (or documented)
```

## 🧪 Testing Requirements

- **Unit tests** for new functions/classes
- **Integration tests** for new features
- **Maintain or improve** test coverage
- **Manual testing** for UI changes

See [Testing Guide](testing-guide.md) for detailed testing procedures.

## 📝 Code Style

- Follow [PEP 8](https://pep8.org/) Python style guide
- Use type hints for all functions
- Write docstrings for public APIs
- Keep functions focused and small
- Use meaningful variable names

See [Coding Standards](coding-standards.md) for detailed guidelines.

## 🔍 Code Review Process

### For Contributors
- Respond to feedback promptly
- Make requested changes in new commits
- Keep discussions focused and professional
- Ask questions if feedback is unclear

### For Reviewers
- Be constructive and specific
- Focus on code quality and maintainability
- Consider performance implications
- Check for security issues
- Verify tests are adequate

## 🏷️ Release Process

Releases follow semantic versioning (SemVer):
- **MAJOR**: Breaking changes
- **MINOR**: New features (backward compatible)
- **PATCH**: Bug fixes (backward compatible)

See [Release Process](release-process.md) for detailed release procedures.

## 🤝 Community Guidelines

### Code of Conduct
- Be respectful and inclusive
- Welcome newcomers
- Focus on constructive feedback
- Maintain professional communication

### Getting Help
- Check existing documentation
- Search GitHub issues
- Ask questions in discussions
- Join community channels

### Recognition
Contributors are recognized in:
- CHANGELOG.md
- GitHub contributors page
- Release notes
- Project documentation

## 📞 Contact

- **Issues**: GitHub Issues
- **Discussions**: GitHub Discussions
- **Security**: See SECURITY.md
- **Maintainers**: See README.md

## 📚 Additional Resources

- [Development Setup](development-setup.md)
- [Testing Guide](testing-guide.md)
- [Coding Standards](coding-standards.md)
- [Architecture Overview](../architecture/system-overview.md)
- [API Reference](../reference/api-reference.md)

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Thank you for contributing to GitFlow Analytics! 🎉
