MDAnalysis · namiroues · Feb 27, 2025 · Feb 27, 2025 · Feb 28, 2025 · Feb 28, 2025
diff --git a/_config.yml b/_config.yml
@@ -68,6 +68,10 @@ pypi:
   package:        https://pypi.org/project/MDAnalysis
   tests:          https://pypi.org/project/MDAnalysisTests
   docs:           https://docs.mdanalysis.org
+mdakits:
+  registry:       https://mdakits.mdanalysis.org/mdakits.html
+  guide:          https://mdakits.mdanalysis.org/makingakit.html 
+  issues:         https://github.com/MDAnalysis/MDAKits/issues
 mailinglists:
   discussion:
     name:         GitHub Discussions
@@ -95,6 +99,8 @@ docs:
   userguide:
     name:         User Guide
     url:          https://userguide.mdanalysis.org
+    repo:         https://github.com/MDAnalysis/UserGuide
+    issues:       https://github.com/MDAnalysis/UserGuide/issues
   quickstart:
     name:         Quick Start Guide
     url:          https://userguide.mdanalysis.org/stable/examples/quickstart.html

diff --git a/pages/contribute.md b/pages/contribute.md
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+---
+layout: page
+title: Contribute
+order: 6
+---
+
+MDAnalysis is an open-source project that welcomes and encourages contributions from the community. Whether you're a developer, documentation writer, or interested in improving the website, there are many ways to get involved.
+
+You can contribute by **developing new features, fixing bugs, improving documentation, enhancing tutorials, contributing to MDAKits, improving the website, or engaging in discussions**. 
+
+Contributions also extend to our **mentoring and outreach programs**, where participants gain hands-on experience in open-source development and scientific software. You can also contribute by **mentoring new contributors**, helping them navigate MDAnalysis, review their work, and share best practices.
+
+If you're new, you can start by participating in community conversations and mentoring programs. For more information on how you can participate, check out the [Community]({{ site.baseurl }}/pages/community/) and [Events]({{ site.baseurl }}/pages/events/) pages.
+
+The [MDAnalysis Project][] hosts several open-source repositories beyond the main library and MDAKits. You are welcome to contribute to any of them! Each repository typically has a `CONTRIBUTING.md` file to help you get started. If you’re unsure where to begin, you can:
+
+- Check the repository’s issue tracker for open tasks.
+- Submit a pull request for improvements.
+- Contact maintainers via [GitHub discussions][] or MDAnalysis [Community]({{ site.baseurl }}/pages/community/) forums.
+
+This page provides an overview of how you can contribute to the [Codebase](#contributing-to-the-codebase), [MDAKits](#contributing-to-mdakits), [Documentation](#contributing-to-the-documentation), or [Mentoring & Outreach Programs](#mentoring--outreach-programs).
+
+## Contributing to the Codebase
+If you are interested in developing new features, fixing bugs, or improving performance, contributing to the MDAnalysis main codebase is a great way to get involved. 
+
+### Main Codebase Repository
+MDAnalysis is developed and maintained in the [MDAnalysis Main Code Repository]({{ site.github.repo }}), which contains:
+
+- The core library for molecular dynamics analysis.
+- The [API documentation]({{ site.docs.mdanalysis.url }}/stable/index.html), generated from in-code docstrings.
+- [Open issues]({{ site.github.issues }}), where contributions such as bug fixes and feature implementations are tracked.
+
+#### How to Get Started
+- Read the [Contributing to the Main Codebase]({{ site.docs.userguide.url }}/stable/contributing_code.html#working-with-mdanalysis-code) guide, which outlines all the necessary steps.
+- Browse [GitHub Issues]({{ site.github.issues }}) to find open tasks. Look for "good first issue" if you're a beginner. You can also report bugs or suggest improvements there.
+- Follow best practices, including
+    - [Writing and Running Tests]({{ site.docs.userguide.url }}/stable/testing.html#testing) to ensure your changes work correctly.
+    - [Updating the Documentation]({{ site.docs.userguide.url }}/stable/contributing_code.html#building-code-documentation) when making modifications.
+
+## Contributing to MDAKits
+[MDAKits]({{ site.mdakits.registry }}) are **community-driven projects** that extend MDAnalysis functionality. They allow researchers and developers to build tools tailored for specific workflows while staying within the MDAnalysis ecosystem.
+
+### MDAKits Registry
+The [MDAKits Registry]({{ site.mdakits.registry }}) lists active projects contributed by the community. These projects cover various applications, such as enhanced trajectory analysis, molecular simulations, and integration with machine learning frameworks.
+
+#### How to Get Started
+
+- Explore existing MDAKits in the [MDAKits Registry]({{ site.mdakits.registry }}) to find projects that match your interests. Each entry includes functionality, installation instructions, and contribution guidelines.
+- Find open issues in [MDAKits GitHub Issues]({{ site.mdakits.issues }}).
+- Propose a new MDAKit by following the [MDAKits Guide]({{ site.mdakits.guide }}).
+- Contribute to an existing MDAKit by collaborating with maintainers to improve functionality, fix bugs, or add new features.
+
+MDAKits follow MDAnalysis coding standards but operate independently. Contributions to these projects are highly encouraged and help expand the MDAnalysis ecosystem.
+
+## Contributing to the Documentation
+Good documentation is essential to making MDAnalysis accessible to users and developers. MDAnalysis maintains two types of documentation: the [User Guide]({{ site.docs.userguide.url }}) and the [API Reference]({{ site.docs.mdanalysis.url }}/stable/index.html).
+
+### User Guide
+The [User Guide]({{ site.docs.userguide.url }}/stable/index.html) provides tutorials and explanatory content to help users install and learn MDAnalysis. You can contribute by updating unclear explanations, adding new tutorials or examples, or fixing outdated information. 
+
+#### How to Get Started
+- Work on the [User Guide Repository]({{ site.docs.userguide.repo }}).
+- Follow the [Contributing to the User Guide]({{ site.docs.userguide.url }}/stable/contributing_docs.html).
+- Check for open documentation-related issues in the [User Guide GitHub Issues]({{ site.docs.userguide.issues }}).
+
+### API Reference
+The [API reference]({{ site.docs.mdanalysis.url }}/stable/index.html) is **automatically generated** from *docstrings* in the codebase. It provides a structured reference for developers working with MDAnalysis. You can contribute by improving *docstrings* for functions, classes, and modules or updating outdated documentation.
+
+#### How to Get Started
+- Work on the [MDAnalysis Main Code Repository]({{ site.github.repo }}).
+- Follow the [API Documentation Contribution Guide]({{ site.docs.userguide.url }}/stable/contributing_code.html#working-with-mdanalysis-docs).
+- Browse open API documentation issues in [GitHub Issues]({{ site.github.issues }}).
+
+## Mentoring & Outreach Programs
+MDAnalysis has actively participated in various mentoring and outreach programs **to help students, researchers, and early-career contributors gain experience in open-source development and scientific software**. Through these programs, participants receive mentorship, contribute to real-world projects, and develop valuable skills in computational science and software engineering.
+
+### Stay informed
+
+Stay informed about upcoming opportunities such as **Google Summer of Code, Outreachy, and other mentoring programs**. For the latest announcements, deadlines, and project ideas, check out our [blog]({{ site.baseurl }}/blog/) where we share updates on participation and application guidelines.  
+
+We have been involved in several mentoring initiatives:
+
+- **[Google Summer of Code (GSoC)](https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/)** \
+    A global, remote program where students contribute to open-source projects under mentorship, enhancing their programming skills while engaging with the open-source community.
+
+- **[Google Season of Docs](https://developers.google.com/season-of-docs)** \
+    A program that connects technical writers with open-source projects to improve documentation quality and accessibility.
+
+- **[Outreachy](https://www.outreachy.org/)** \
+    A diversity-focused program offering paid remote internships to individuals underrepresented in tech, providing opportunities to contribute to open-source software.
+
+- **[Station1 Frontiers Fellowship](https://www.station1.org/sff)**  \
+    A unique research and internship program designed for students in science and technology, promoting inclusive and socially impactful research.
+
+- **[CompChemURG](https://www.bindingsites.co.uk/home)**  \
+    A mentoring initiative focused on computational chemistry, supporting undergraduates and early-career researchers in gaining expertise in the field.
+
+Many of our [core developers]({{ site.baseurl }}/governance/#mdanalysis-core-developers) started through these programs &mdash; consider joining and becoming part of the MDAnalysis community!
+
+### GSoC
+
+MDAnalysis has participated in Google Summer of Code for several years, mentoring students on a variety of open-source projects. Explore our past projects:
+
+- [GSoC 2025]({% post_url 2025-02-28-gsoc2025 %})
+- [GSoC 2024]({% post_url 2024-02-27-gsoc2024 %})
+- [GSoC 2023]({% post_url 2023-02-22-gsoc2023 %})
+- [GSoC 2022]({% post_url 2022-03-07-gsoc2022 %})
+- [GSoC 2021]({% post_url 2021-03-09-gsoc2021 %})
+- [GSoC 2020]({% post_url 2020-02-22-gsoc2020 %})
+- [GSoC 2019]({% post_url 2019-03-04-gsoc2019 %})
+- [GSoC 2018]({% post_url 2018-02-14-gsoc2018 %})
+- [GSoC 2017]({% post_url 2017-03-02-gsoc2017 %})
+- [GSoC 2016]({% post_url 2016-04-26-gsoc %})
+
+## Other Contributions
+
+If you are interested in contributing in other ways, such as improving the website or blog, you can refer to the [README file][] in the [Website Repository][]. While the website is already maintained by the MDAnalysis team, any fixes and updates are always welcome. 
+
+If you'd like to write a **blog post**, we welcome contributions that document your experience with MDAnalysis—whether it's learning the software, participating in a UGM, or working on a project. Feel free to reach out via the [Community]({{ site.baseurl }}/pages/community/) page for guidance on submitting a post.
+
+[MDAnalysis Project]: https://github.com/MDAnalysis/
+[GitHub discussions]: https://github.com/MDAnalysis/mdanalysis/discussions
+[Website Repository]: https://github.com/MDAnalysis/MDAnalysis.github.io
+[README file]: https://github.com/namiroues/MDAnalysis.github.io/blob/master/README.md
+