# After reading contributing guide, but still confused!

**URL:** <https://discuss.elastic.co/t/after-reading-contributing-guide-but-still-confused/381467>\
**Category:** Elasticsearch\
**Created:** [August 31, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/after-reading-contributing-guide-but-still-confused/381467 "2025-08-31T16:37:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kush1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/kush1/32/144833_2.png) [@kush1](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/kush1)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/after-reading-contributing-guide-but-still-confused/381467/1 "2025-08-31T16:37:58Z")

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Hi everyone I’m Kush, a recent graduate now working at a startup. In my free time I want to contribute meaningfully to Elasticsearch. I’ve read the contribution guide but still feel lost on where to begin — the ELK stack feels overwhelming. If anyone could share pointers or mentor me briefly, it would mean a lot Please Guide me, it would truly mean a lot.

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**Author:** ![carly.richmond](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/carly.richmond/32/104935_2.png) [@carly.richmond](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/carly.richmond)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 12:01pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/after-reading-contributing-guide-but-still-confused/381467/2 "2025-09-01T12:01:00Z")

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Hi @kush1,

Welcome! Generally aside from what’s listed in the CONTRIBUTING.md (for example [this one]( [elasticsearch/CONTRIBUTING.md at main · elastic/elasticsearch · GitHub](https://github.com/elastic/elasticsearch/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) ) for elastic/elasticsearch) I would recommend having a look and the available issues tagged with `good first issue` as per those for [elastic/elasticsearch]([Contribute to elastic/elasticsearch · GitHub](https://github.com/elastic/elasticsearch/contribute)) as those can be simple issues to help you understand the codebase and also contribute a change.

Generally, I would also recommend reading up on some tips on how to get started. There is [this piece from GitHub]([New to open source? Here’s everything you need to get started - The GitHub Blog](https://github.blog/open-source/new-to-open-source-heres-everything-you-need-to-get-started/)) and these resources that may help:

1. [Open Source Tips](https://eddiejaoude.github.io/book-open-source-tips/)
2. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzeVMecydCE&pp=0gcJCf8Ao7VqN5tD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzeVMecydCE&pp=0gcJCf8Ao7VqN5tD)

If you have any specific questions do let us know.

Hope that helps!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kush1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/kush1/32/144833_2.png) [@kush1](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/kush1)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 5:30pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/after-reading-contributing-guide-but-still-confused/381467/3 "2025-09-01T17:30:17Z")

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Extremely grateful to you @carly.richmond, surely read the docs provided by you and get back to you if i came up with any doubt.

Thanks again!