# Contributing to `plotting-mcp` <!-- omit from toc -->
First off, thank you for taking the time to contribute to plotting-mcp! :+1:
:tada: plotting-mcp is released under the Apache 2.0 license. If you would like to
contribute something or want to hack on the code, this document should help you
get started. You can find some hints for starting development in plotting-mcp's
[README](https://github.com/StacklokLabs/plotting-mcp/blob/main/README.md).
## Table of contents <!-- omit from toc -->
- [Code of conduct](#code-of-conduct)
- [Reporting security vulnerabilities](#reporting-security-vulnerabilities)
- [How to contribute](#how-to-contribute)
- [Using GitHub Issues](#using-github-issues)
- [Not sure how to start contributing?](#not-sure-how-to-start-contributing)
- [Pull request process](#pull-request-process)
- [Commit message guidelines](#commit-message-guidelines)
## Code of conduct
This project adheres to the
[Contributor Covenant](https://github.com/StacklokLabs/plotting-mcp/blob/main/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md)
code of conduct. By participating, you are expected to uphold this code. Please
report unacceptable behavior to
[code-of-conduct@stacklok.dev](mailto:code-of-conduct@stacklok.dev).
## Reporting security vulnerabilities
If you think you have found a security vulnerability in plotting-mcp please DO NOT
disclose it publicly until we've had a chance to fix it. Please don't report
security vulnerabilities using GitHub issues; instead, please follow this
[process](https://github.com/StacklokLabs/plotting-mcp/blob/main/SECURITY.md)
## How to contribute
### Using GitHub Issues
We use GitHub issues to track bugs and enhancements. If you have a general usage
question, please ask in the #mcp-servers channel of the
[Stacklok Discord server](https://discord.gg/stacklok).
If you are reporting a bug, please help to speed up problem diagnosis by
providing as much information as possible. Ideally, that would include a small
sample project that reproduces the problem.
### Not sure how to start contributing?
PRs to resolve existing issues are greatly appreciated and issues labeled as
["good first issue"](https://github.com/StacklokLabs/plotting-mcp/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+label%3A%22good+first+issue%22)
are a great place to start!
### Pull request process
-All commits must include a Signed-off-by trailer at the end of each commit
message to indicate that the contributor agrees to the Developer Certificate of
Origin. For additional details, check out the [DCO instructions](dco.md).
- Create an issue outlining the fix or feature.
- Fork the plotting-mcp repository to your own GitHub account and clone it
locally.
- Hack on your changes.
- Correctly format your commit messages, see
[Commit message guidelines](#commit-message-guidelines) below.
- Open a PR by ensuring the title and its description reflect the content of the
PR.
- Ensure that CI passes, if it fails, fix the failures.
- Every pull request requires a review from the core plotting-mcp team before
merging.
- Once approved, all of your commits will be squashed into a single commit with
your PR title.
### Commit message guidelines
We follow the commit formatting recommendations found on
[Chris Beams' How to Write a Git Commit Message article](https://chris.beams.io/posts/git-commit/):
1. Separate subject from body with a blank line
1. Limit the subject line to 50 characters
1. Capitalize the subject line
1. Do not end the subject line with a period
1. Use the imperative mood in the subject line
1. Use the body to explain what and why vs. how
