OpenTelemetry provides the tools and standards to collect metrics, logs, and traces from applications and services. Getting started with contributions can feel overwhelming, so here are some lessons from hands-on experience.
Most guides explain how to find a “good first issue,” fork a repository, or join a SIG meeting. That advice is useful, and many resources cover it well. What often receives less attention is the broader context around contributing: understanding the ecosystem, navigating community dynamics, and building long-term engagement in a large open source project.