Frequently Asked Questions

What is this project about?

Community Card Showcase is a beginner-friendly Open Source project where contributors add their own profile cards to showcase their participation in the open source community.

It's designed to help newcomers make their first contribution in a supportive environment with clear guidelines and helpful community members.

Why is my profile image not showing up?

Common image issues and their solutions:

• Ensure the image is square (1:1 aspect ratio) for proper display
• Only .jpg or .png formats are supported (no .gif, .webp, etc.)
• Image name must match your GitHub username exactly (case-sensitive)
• File should be placed inside the images/ folder
• Maximum file size is 2MB - compress if necessary
• Check file permissions and ensure it's not corrupted

Why is my contribution card not visible?

If your card isn't appearing after submission, check these common issues:

• Card must be pasted inside the CONTRIBUTORS section in index.html
• Check for missing or mismatched HTML tags (div, class, etc.)
• Make sure the image path is correct (should be images/username.png)
• Reload the page without cache (Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R)
• Wait a few minutes after merging - GitHub Pages takes time to update
• Verify your PR has been successfully merged, not just submitted

What role should I select for my profile?

Choose a role that best fits your current involvement in open source:

• Developer – If you write code regularly or work on software projects
• Contributor – If you're new to Open Source or contribute occasionally
• Maintainer – Project admins and core team members only
• Designer – If you contribute primarily through design work
• Documenter – If you focus on documentation and guides

Your role can be updated later as your involvement evolves.

Common PR mistakes to avoid

These mistakes can delay or prevent your PR from being merged:

• Editing other contributors' cards or code without permission
• Uploading large, non-square, or inappropriate images
• Making multiple unrelated changes in one PR
• Creating PR from the main branch instead of a feature branch
• Not following the template structure exactly
• Forgetting to test your changes locally first
• Ignoring the contribution guidelines

Where can I get help with my contribution?

If you're stuck or confused, here's how to get assistance:

• Re-check the Contribute page for detailed instructions
• Review the Guidelines page for community standards
• Open a GitHub issue with clear screenshots and description
• Ask politely in the issue comments - our community is friendly!
• Check if someone else has already asked a similar question
• Look for existing PRs to understand the expected format

Our maintainers typically respond within 24-48 hours.

How long does PR review usually take?

Our maintainers are volunteers who review PRs in their free time. Typical review times are:

• 1-3 days for simple card additions
• 3-7 days for code changes or complex contributions
• Longer during holidays or busy periods

Please be patient and don't tag maintainers unless it's been over a week without response.

Can I customize my profile card?

Yes, within reasonable limits! You can:

• Choose your role badge color (from predefined options)
• Add up to 3 technology icons to showcase your skills
• Include a short bio (max 150 characters)
• Link to your portfolio, blog, or other relevant sites
• Select a theme color that matches your personal brand

Please don't modify the card structure or add custom CSS/JavaScript to your individual card.