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ContribFest Session Agenda — KubeCon EU 2026

Event: ContribFest: Dive Into cert-manager and Start Contributing!
Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Time: 16:15 - 17:30 CET (75 minutes)
Presenters: Richard Wall & Mladen Rusev (Palo Alto Networks)

Session Goals

For Maintainers

  • Grow the contributor base: Welcome new contributors to the cert-manager community
  • Get help with backlog issues: Make progress on good-first-issue backlog
  • Build community engagement: Create positive first-contribution experiences
  • Identify potential new maintainers: Find contributors who might become long-term participants

For Attendees

  • Learn Kubernetes internals hands-on: See how cert-manager works under the hood
  • Get a CNCF contribution on resume: Real contribution to a graduated CNCF project
  • Network with maintainers: Direct access to project experts
  • Gain confidence contributing to open source: Supportive environment for first-timers

⚠️ PRESENTER REMINDER: State these goals clearly during the introduction!

Pre-Session Checklist

For Maintainers (Before Event)

  • Test Slack #cert-manager-dev channel access (in case attendees need help)
  • Ensure shortlist gist is publicly accessible
  • Make GitHub Project public (or keep private and use gist only)
  • Prepare printed/projected shortlist for in-person reference
  • Have cert-manager laptop stickers/swag ready (if available)

We recommend attendees prepare before the session to maximize hands-on time:

  • Bring laptop with:
    • Git installed and configured
    • GitHub account with SSH/HTTPS access configured
    • Go 1.21+ (for Go issues) or Node.js 20+ (for website issues)
    • Code editor (VS Code, vim, etc.)
  • Join Kubernetes Slack and find #cert-manager-dev
  • Review the Contributor Guide
  • Browse the good first issues shortlist

Session Outline

16:15 - 16:25 | Welcome & Introduction (10 min)

Presenters introduce themselves and the session:

  • Welcome to ContribFest and cert-manager!
  • Who are we? (Richard & Mladen backgrounds)
  • What is cert-manager?
    • Graduated CNCF project
    • X.509 certificate management for Kubernetes
    • Widely deployed, active community
  • STATE THE GOALS (see above)
    • Why we're here as maintainers
    • What attendees will gain from this session

Quick poll:

  • Who's used cert-manager in production?
  • Who's contributed to open-source before?
  • Who's here for their first contribution?

16:25 - 16:40 | Getting Started (15 min)

Quick setup check and orientation:

  1. Environment Check (5 min)

    • Raise hands: who has Go installed? Node.js? Git configured?
    • Point to setup guide if needed (post link in Slack)
    • Helpers circulate to assist with setup issues

  2. Finding an Issue (10 min)

    • Walk through the shortlist
    • Explain categories:
      • No Go Required: Docs, Helm, YAML (good for beginners)
      • Go — Well Scoped: Self-contained Go fixes
      • Stretch Goals: Larger features for experienced contributors
    • How to claim an issue:
      • Comment on the GitHub issue: "I'd like to work on this for ContribFest"
      • Ask questions in comments or Slack
    • Live demo: Walk through one "No Go Required" issue from start to PR

16:40 - 17:20 | Hands-On Contribution Time (40 min)

Attendees work on their chosen issues:

  • Maintainers circulate to help with:
    • Choosing an appropriate issue
    • Setting up development environment
    • Understanding the codebase
    • Testing changes
    • Creating pull requests

Milestones to celebrate:

  • First repo clone
  • First local build
  • First test run
  • First commit
  • First PR opened

Slack channel:

  • Post in #cert-manager-dev with questions
  • Tag Richard (@wallrj) or Mladen (@mladen-rusev-cyberark) for help

Common questions to address:

  • "I'm stuck on Go module errors" → Point to contributor guide's Go setup
  • "How do I run tests?" → Show repo-specific test commands
  • "Is this change correct?" → Quick code review on the spot
  • "I don't know Go, what can I do?" → Steer to website/docs issues

17:20 - 17:30 | Wrap-Up & Next Steps (10 min)

Celebrate contributions:

  • Quick round: Who opened their first PR?
  • Who made their first cert-manager contribution?
  • Who learned something new about Kubernetes?

What happens next:

  • Maintainers will review all ContribFest PRs within the next week
  • Continue working on your issue after the session — no rush!
  • Join #cert-manager-dev for ongoing support
  • Follow cert-manager on social media for updates

Stay connected:

Thank you for contributing!

Presenter Notes

Richard's Responsibilities

  • Introduction (5 min): Project overview, state the goals
  • Demo (10 min): Walk through filing a PR for a docs issue
  • Hands-on support: Focus on website/docs contributors
  • Wrap-up (5 min): Celebrate wins, next steps

Mladen's Responsibilities

  • Introduction (5 min): Maintainer perspective, state the goals from contributor angle
  • Issue selection guidance (5 min): Help match attendees to issues
  • Hands-on support: Focus on Go code contributors
  • Wrap-up (5 min): Review process, how to get PRs merged

Helper Instructions (if we have additional helpers)

  • Circulate during hands-on time
  • Watch for:
    • People staring at screens without typing → offer help
    • Git/GitHub authentication issues
    • Build/test errors
    • "This seems too hard" → suggest easier issue
  • Keep track of firsts (first PR, first contribution, etc.) for wrap-up celebration

Backup Plan

If we have fewer attendees than expected:

  • More 1:1 pairing with maintainers
  • Go deeper on specific issues
  • Extended Q&A about cert-manager architecture

If we have more attendees than expected:

  • Split into two tracks: docs/website and Go code
  • Pair newcomers with experienced contributors
  • Focus on getting PRs filed (reviews can happen async)

Resources to Have Ready

Post-Session Follow-Up

Within 1 week:

  • Review all ContribFest PRs
  • Tag PRs with contribfest label
  • Post thank-you message in Slack with stats (X PRs opened, Y contributors)
  • Share photos/highlights on social media
  • Update tracking issue with outcomes

Within 1 month:

  • Blog post: "ContribFest Recap" with stats and contributor shout-outs
  • Follow up with contributors whose PRs stalled
  • Invite active ContribFest contributors to join community meetings