> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer-stage.thunderbird.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer-stage.thunderbird.net/thunderbird-development/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started Contributing

### Being an Open Source Contributor

When you contribute to an open source project, you are joining a community around that project. Different communities can be governed differently but in general a consensus approach is adopted instead of a top down decision making process. This can make the project progress move slower, but it comes with the added benefit that every community member's opinions are valued and are considered for the project leaders to act on. 

The Thunderbird project is very similar. We are an open source project that anyone can contribute to, in any number of ways (see [Contribution Areas](#contribution-areas) below for possible contribution paths). Thunderbird is also a company that employs full-time engineers to dedicate resources to constantly improving the project. There is a Thunderbird Community Council, that acts as the Community representation to sign off on things like our roadmaps and budget - you can learn more about the Thunderbird Community Council on their website, [council.thunderbird.net](https://council.thunderbird.net).

### Contribution Process

### Contribution Areas

Below you will find a list of areas where we would love to see more contributions.

Overwhelmed and not sure where to start? Give [Beta Testing](/thunderbird-development/beta-testing.md) a try!

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Design</td><td><a href="/pages/tOgsp2A0QMkQzQG53sSV">/pages/tOgsp2A0QMkQzQG53sSV</a></td></tr><tr><td>Desktop App</td><td><a href="/pages/0QKaNbO6QE9pX96Dhv2J">/pages/0QKaNbO6QE9pX96Dhv2J</a></td></tr><tr><td>Mobile App</td><td><a href="/pages/kGzSMH9NAI0UiMPDAIz2">/pages/kGzSMH9NAI0UiMPDAIz2</a></td></tr><tr><td>Support &#x26; Documentation</td><td><a href="/pages/ALzn8CSIGFQM7Y9HF4tv">/pages/ALzn8CSIGFQM7Y9HF4tv</a></td></tr><tr><td>Beta Testing</td><td><a href="/pages/dMcRkJOvAyXKKpJwEXac">/pages/dMcRkJOvAyXKKpJwEXac</a></td></tr><tr><td>Translations</td><td><a href="/pages/xAspal0Nu4azQ8Qkbo9r">/pages/xAspal0Nu4azQ8Qkbo9r</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


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