> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/cvat-ai/cvat/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started with Contributing

> Learn how to start contributing to CVAT

CVAT is an open-source project and we welcome contributions from the community. Whether you're fixing bugs, adding features, improving documentation, or helping with testing, your contributions are valuable.

## How to Contribute

There are many ways to contribute to CVAT:

* **Report bugs**: Found an issue? Report it on [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/cvat-ai/cvat/issues)
* **Fix bugs**: Browse open issues and submit a pull request
* **Add features**: Implement new functionality that would benefit users
* **Improve documentation**: Help make our docs clearer and more comprehensive
* **Write tests**: Increase test coverage and reliability
* **Answer questions**: Help other users on [Gitter](https://gitter.im/opencv-cvat/public) or [Discord](https://discord.gg/fNR3eXfk6C)

## Finding Issues to Work On

When starting out, look for issues labeled:

* `good first issue` - Suitable for newcomers to the project
* `help wanted` - Issues where we'd especially appreciate community help
* `bug` - Known bugs that need fixing

Browse the [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/cvat-ai/cvat/issues) to find something that interests you.

## Before You Start

1. **Raise an issue first**: Before starting significant work, create or comment on an issue to discuss your approach with maintainers. This helps avoid duplication and ensures your changes align with project goals.

2. **Read the documentation**: Familiarize yourself with:
   * [Development Environment Setup](/contributing/development-environment)
   * [Code Style Guidelines](/contributing/code-style)
   * [Testing Guide](/contributing/testing)
   * [Architecture Overview](/contributing/architecture)

3. **Fork the repository**: Create your own fork of the CVAT repository on GitHub.

4. **Set up your development environment**: Follow the [development environment guide](/contributing/development-environment) to get CVAT running locally.

## Communication Channels

Stay connected with the CVAT community:

* **GitHub Issues**: For bug reports and feature requests
* **Gitter**: [opencv-cvat/public](https://gitter.im/opencv-cvat/public) - General questions and discussions
* **Discord**: [CVAT Discord Server](https://discord.gg/fNR3eXfk6C) - Real-time chat with the community
* **Stack Overflow**: Tag your questions with `#cvat`

## Code of Conduct

We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all contributors. While CVAT doesn't have a formal Code of Conduct document, we expect all participants to:

* Be respectful and considerate of others
* Welcome newcomers and help them get started
* Focus on constructive feedback and collaboration
* Respect differing viewpoints and experiences
* Accept responsibility and apologize when mistakes are made

Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated. If you experience or witness unacceptable behavior, please contact the project maintainers.

## License

By contributing to CVAT, you agree that your contributions will be licensed under the [MIT License](https://github.com/cvat-ai/cvat/blob/develop/LICENSE). All code changes should be submitted under this license.

The code is released under the MIT License, but note that:

* Serverless functions in `/serverless` directory may download assets with different licenses
* CVAT uses LGPL-licensed libraries from FFmpeg
* You are responsible for ensuring compliance with any additional licenses

## Next Steps

Ready to contribute? Here's what to do next:

1. Set up your [development environment](/contributing/development-environment)
2. Review the [code style guidelines](/contributing/code-style)
3. Learn about [running tests](/contributing/testing)
4. Understand the [system architecture](/contributing/architecture)
5. Read the [pull request process](/contributing/pull-requests)

Welcome to the CVAT community! We look forward to your contributions.