Open-Sourcing a Side Project: What I Learned
🎯 The Decision
I open-sourced a side project. Here's what I learned.
✅ The Good
1. Forced Me to Clean Up
Open-sourcing forced me to clean up code, add docs, and make it presentable. The code got better.
2. Got Feedback
People found bugs, suggested improvements, and asked questions. It made the project better.
3. Built a Portfolio Piece
Open source projects are great portfolio pieces. They show what you can build.
4. Helped Others
People actually used it. That's rewarding.
⚠️ The Challenges
1. Maintenance Burden
Issues, PRs, and questions take time. It's a commitment.
2. Expectations
People expect maintenance, responses, and fixes. You can't just abandon it.
3. Code Quality
Your code is public. It needs to be good.
💡 What I'd Do Differently
- Start with good docs: README, setup instructions, examples
- Clean code first: Don't open-source messy code
- Set expectations: Make it clear if it's maintained or not
- Start small: Open-source small projects first
🔄 My Process Now
Before open-sourcing:
- Clean up the code
- Write a good README
- Add examples
- Set up CI/CD
- Then make it public
💭 My Take
Open-sourcing is rewarding but comes with responsibilities. Do it if you're ready to maintain it, or make it clear it's unmaintained.
Start small. Open-source something simple first. Learn the process, then do bigger projects.