Open Book on Open Source.
Welcome to Open Source: Tips and Tricks book - a comprehensive guide intended to empower both startups and established enterprises to successfully navigate the world of open source software and build a successfull OSS product.
This is an open source book on open source so everyone is invited to:
| 📣 Give us some feedback by creating a Github issue in the book’s repository | 👩💻 Contribute to the book by creating a pull request with any kind of improvements, amendments or new content. |
Based on what really works
The idea to share the best practices for building successfull Open Source products and communities was born at Catch The Tornado. We spend recent 15 years building, investing and advising to many successfull OSS businesses. Now we felt it’s a time to pay it forward and to invite You to contribute to this open guide.
This book is a compilation of what worked for our ventures and portfolio companies, including:
 | Vue Storefront The fastest growing eCommerce Frontend Tool. Backed by 6 VCs and Y Combinator. One of the biggest A rounds in Poland (37m USD, post money valuation of 100mln USD). Piotr learned most of his Open Source lessons on this project which he started coding himself in 2017. Learn more |
 | Open Loyalty Headless Loyalty software, built for large-scale projects, proven by partners, API first approach. Backed by R&D Grant of 2,3 mln EUR. We created the Open Loyalty project, now continously investing and advising the management board. Learn more |
 | Medusa JS The Open Source Shopify Alternative. Leading JS eCommerce Platform on GitHub. The sofwtare is used by 10k projects and backed by 2k contributors. We’re proud, early investors of Medusa, tracking and cheering up the fenomenous open source tractin this project has. Learn more |
Check our full portfolio at CatchTheTornado.com
… for practicioners and for business
This guide is definitely for you if you are:
- an innovator, CTO or manager at a software company thinking on OSS benefits for your organization
- a startup founder running a tech business, developer product etc.
- a developer contributing to, being part of any OS project.
In this rapidly evolving digital era, open source software has emerged as a powerful tool for businesses, fostering innovation, collaboration, and transparency. However, effectively leveraging open source to drive business success requires a nuanced understanding of its principles, best practices, and pitfalls. That’s where this guide comes in.
We’ll start by examining the concept of open source software, its benefits, and key considerations before diving into the when, why, and how of open sourcing. You’ll gain practical insights on how to launch, maintain, and market your open source project, building a vibrant, engaged community around it.
Open Sourcing a product
Further, you’ll find detailed discussions on topics such as:
- The importance of being genuinely committed to the open source ethos
- How to create an inclusive community around your project
- Strategies for releasing early and often, and why it’s essential
- Managing and governing successful open source projects
- The value of transparent communication
- Making onboarding easy and fun, and much more!
This guide is your roadmap to navigating the open source landscape, whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to sharpen your skills or a budding entrepreneur starting your journey. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge and tools you need to effectively leverage open source software for your business success.
Here’s to your open source journey - may it be filled with discovery, innovation, and growth
… and contributting
We’re true open source belivers - and more over, we belive open source project can and even should coexist and mutually support business endevours.
We’re sure this guide will be way better including your own hints and what worked for your projects 🙌
Everyone is invited to contribute, comment or provide a feedback to this book via our Github repository. Please create an issue with your comments or a pull request for some contribution or fixes. After merging, your changes will be automatically updated to this page.
Authors
This book is a community effort started by Piotr Karwatka, an open source enthusiast, developer and co-founder and investor at Catch The Tornado.
Big thanks to all contributors:
- Filip Rakowski - co-founder of Vue Storefront added a great chapter on Commercialization