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Open source software (OSS) thrives on collaboration. From writing code to guiding community discussions, contributors wear many hats throughout a project’s lifecycle. Whether you’re polishing documentation, triaging issues, or shepherding releases, there’s a role for you in open source governance. Below are the five broad roles you’ll commonly encounter in an OSS project:
RoleTypical ResponsibilitiesExample Activities
AuthorInitialize project structure, choose a licenseCreate repo, add README, publish first release
OwnerOversee legal/organizational aspects, enforce complianceTransfer repo, set contribution agreements
MaintainerReview/merge PRs, manage issues and releasesApply labels, handle CI/CD, tag versions
ContributorSubmit code, docs, tests, advocacyOpen pull requests, write blog posts
User / Community MemberProvide feedback, report bugs, suggest featuresFile issues, participate in forums or chats
Roles often overlap. For example, an Author may also serve as the first Maintainer, and active Users frequently become Contributors.

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1. Author

The Author is the individual or organization that kickstarts the OSS project. Core responsibilities include:
  • Establishing the initial codebase and repository layout
  • Selecting and applying an open source license (e.g., MIT, Apache 2.0)
  • Publicizing the project to attract early adopters and contributors
Choosing an OSI-approved license early prevents future legal complications.

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2. Owner

A Project Owner holds the legal rights and administrative powers over the repository or organization:
  • Managing repository settings (transfer, archive, visibility)
  • Enforcing contributor license agreements (CLAs) and code of conduct
  • Handling trademark or brand-related decisions
Owners may delegate day-to-day tasks but retain final authority on legal matters.

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3. Maintainer

Maintainers are the project’s day-to-day caretakers, ensuring code quality and community health:
  • Reviewing, approving, and merging pull requests
  • Organizing issue triage with labels and milestones
  • Refining documentation, release notes, and CI/CD pipelines
  • Granting or revoking collaborator access on platforms like GitHub or GitLab
Maintainers often set project roadmaps and coordinate with Contributors on large features.

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4. Contributor

Contributors are anyone who submits recognized improvements to the project:
  • Code enhancements: new features, bug fixes, refactoring
  • Documentation updates: tutorials, API references, FAQs
  • Tests and quality-of-life tools: linters, templates, sample data
  • Community outreach: blog posts, conference talks, social media advocacy
Contributions can come from independent volunteers or members of partner organizations.

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5. User / Community Member

Users and broader Community Members drive real-world validation and feedback:
  • Reporting bugs, requesting features, and filing support issues
  • Engaging in discussions via mailing lists, chat channels, or forums
  • Testing release candidates and offering performance feedback
  • Contributing translations, UX suggestions, or usage examples
Active Users often evolve into Contributors or Maintainers as their familiarity with the codebase grows.
Every open source project relies on these five roles to flourish. Whether you’re writing your first patch, filing a bug report, or steering the next major release, open source governance offers a flexible path for meaningful impact.

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