Why This Stage Matters
Most Open Source projects start with a single person, one developer trying to solve a real problem. That’s not a limitation. It’s a strength.
But solo projects need a different kind of planning. You’re building for now, and for later, when others might join in.
This guide will help you structure your project so you can work efficiently on your own while laying the groundwork for future contributors.
Step 1: Be Honest About Your Time
You don’t need a full team. You need a realistic plan.
Start by estimating your availability:
- How many hours per week can you spend?
- Are you balancing this with work or school?
- What’s your personal goal for the next 3 months?
Now plan your build around that. If you can commit 5 hours a week, your MVP shouldn’t take 100 hours.
Step 2: Use Planning to Stay Unstuck
When you’re solo, there’s no one to nudge you forward, or help you decide what to do next. That’s why it’s important to:
- Write down your project goals
- Create a public task list (GitHub Issues or a checklist in your README)
- Break big tasks into small, clear steps
Even if no one else ever sees it, this keeps you moving.
Step 3: Document Like You’re Not the Only One
From day one, write as if you’re handing this off to someone else.
That means:
- Write a clear README that explains what the project does and how to run it
- Leave comments in your code
- Use Issues or TODOs to mark where help is needed
When future contributors show up, they’ll have a place to start. And if you take a break, you won’t return to a mystery.
Step 4: Choose Simplicity Over Perfection
Solo projects thrive when you avoid complexity:
- Use tech you’re already comfortable with
- Avoid over-engineering (no need for microservices if one script works)
- Skip features that would require specialized skills you don’t have
A simpler tool that works will do more good than a brilliant idea that’s never finished.
Step 5: Make Growth Possible (But Not Required)
Add a “Contributing” section to your README. Even if no one contributes now, this signals that collaboration is welcome.
Include:
- A link to your issue tracker or roadmap
- Setup instructions
A note like:
This is a solo project, but I welcome feedback or pull requests if you're interested in helping improve it.
Small projects can attract collaborators, especially when they’re well-scoped and documented.
TL;DR
- Plan your project around your real capacity, not a fantasy team
- Keep a clear task list and document your progress as you go
- Choose simplicity over scope
- Make your project easy to understand, even if you’re the only one working on it
- Plant seeds for future collaboration without needing it now