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.
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 →