Open-source projects can easily slide into a focus on technical aspects - what the software does and how efficiently it runs. This collection explores a different dimension: creating projects that foster genuine connection and positive community culture through narrative posts with practical guidelines, real community examples, and reflections on the emotional aspects of open-source.
What you'll learn:
- How to write documentation that guides both development decisions and user evaluation
- A simple "acid test" for whether you really understand your users' problems
- Why "Small Design" (your UI) fails when "Big Design" (getting started) creates barriers
- How to articulate design principles that can help filter feature requests
Posts in this pack:
- **A Dual-Purpose Framework for Better Open-Source Documentation**
The three-section structure that keeps development focused while helping users assess fit—used to build Docsify-This.
- **A Quick Acid Test for Your Product Design Knowledge**
Can you frame your product's value as user problem scenarios? If not, you might be solving the wrong problems.
- **Big Design and Small Design**
Why your beautiful interface doesn't matter if users can't get your project running. Address barriers to entry first.
- **Docsify-This Core Design Principles**
A living example: five principles that drive every feature decision. See how design principles work in practice.
- **Not Just From 5 to 6: Generative AI-Assisted Principles Refinement for Docsify-This**
An evolution of post #4 above: how the original 5 design principles expanded to 6 with AI-assisted refinement. Shows core design principles as living, not static.
Further reading:
📚 How to Make Sense of Any Mess by Abby Covert - Accessible guide to information architecture thinking: clarifying purpose, understanding users, and making deliberate organizational choices.
Explore other topic packs:
🌱 Sustainable Open Source Projects Pack - Build projects you can maintain in the long run
🧡 Building Open Source with Heart Pack - Foster projects that users and contributors enjoy
Or: View all of Paul’s blog posts →