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Open Source Readiness Checklist

Use this checklist before making a repository public under the THD-Spatial group.

This checklist is designed to be practical and easy to review. It separates required, conditional, and recommended items so you can focus on what matters first.

Review Summary

Section Requirement Level Status Notes
Essential Requirements Required Pending Must be completed before public release
Data Management (Git LFS) Required if applicable Pending Only if repository contains large files
Optional but Recommended Files Recommended Pending Strongly encouraged for public/community repos
Quality Checks Required Pending Final review before publishing
Final Steps Required Pending Verify repository works from a fresh clone

Essential Requirements (Required)

Make sure the following essential requirements are completed before making your repository public.

Quick links: License · README · Contributing Guidelines · Code of Conduct

License

  • LICENSE file present in repository root
  • Appropriate license chosen (see Choose a License)
  • Correct license text added
  • License committed to repository

Important: Without a license, you are not allowed to make your repository public under THD-Spatial.

README

  • README.md file present in repository root

README content

  • Project title and short description included
  • Project purpose clearly explained
  • Key features listed
  • Installation/setup instructions provided (if applicable)
  • Usage examples or usage steps included
  • Contribution guidance referenced (e.g. CONTRIBUTING.md)
  • README uses clear Markdown formatting

Contributing Guidelines

  • CONTRIBUTING.md file present in repository root
  • Issue reporting process documented
  • Pull request submission process documented
  • Coding standards / best practices outlined (if applicable)
  • Commit message guidance included (recommended)
  • CONTRIBUTING.md linked from README.md

Code of Conduct

  • CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md file present in repository root
  • Code of conduct chosen (e.g. Contributor Covenant)
  • Contact method for reporting issues included
  • CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md linked from README.md or documentation

Data Management (Required if applicable)

Git LFS (Large File Storage)

Complete this section if your repository contains large files (e.g. datasets, binaries, media, generated assets).

  • Git LFS installed locally
  • Git LFS initialised in repository (git lfs install)
  • Large file types tracked (e.g. data files, media, binaries)
  • .gitattributes committed to repository
  • Large files added and committed properly
  • Release strategy for LFS files documented (if applicable)

Note: Files tracked by Git LFS are not included in release assets by default. If needed, enable Include Git LFS objects in archives in repository settings.

These files are not always required, but they improve project quality, collaboration, and maintainability.

CHANGELOG

  • CHANGELOG.md file created (if using versioned releases)
  • Version history documented
  • Changes formatted consistently (e.g. Keep a Changelog)

Issue and PR Templates

  • .github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/ directory created (if using issue templates)
  • Issue template(s) added
  • .github/pull_request_template.md file added
  • PR template includes a contributor checklist (recommended)

Code Owners

  • CODEOWNERS file created (root or .github/)
  • Owners assigned for relevant parts of the repository
  • Teams/individuals correctly specified

Security Policy

  • SECURITY.md file created
  • Vulnerability reporting process documented
  • Contact method for security issues provided
  • Supported versions documented (if applicable)

Support Guidelines

  • SUPPORT.md file created
  • Support channels documented (e.g. email, discussions, issue tracker)
  • Response expectations documented (if applicable)

Quality Checks (Required)

Documentation Quality

  • Documentation reviewed for clarity
  • Spelling and grammar checked
  • Links tested and working
  • Code examples/commands tested (if applicable)

Repository Settings

  • Repository description added on GitHub
  • Topics/tags added for discoverability
  • Repository visibility set to Public
  • Default branch configured (typically main)
  • Branch protection rules configured (if needed)

Code Quality / Safety

  • Code reviewed and cleaned up
  • Sensitive information removed (API keys, passwords, credentials)
  • .gitignore configured properly
  • Dependencies documented
  • Build/test instructions included (if applicable)

Final Steps (Required)

  • All essential requirements completed
  • Repository tested by cloning a fresh copy
  • Links and references verified
  • Project builds/runs successfully from scratch (if applicable)
  • Team members notified about repository availability (if applicable)

Repository Ready for Open Source

Once all required items are completed, the repository meets the THD-Spatial minimum readiness standard for public release.

  • Date completed: DD.MM.YYYY
  • Reviewed by: Name(s)

Need Help?

If you have questions about any checklist item:

  • Review the template README.md
  • Check the documentation pages in docs/
  • Ask the THD-Spatial maintainers/reviewers