This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Sunil Xtha

My Hacktoberfest 2025 Chronicles: From First PR to Forest

When October started, I made a simple promise to myself: I would not just scroll through Hacktoberfest posts this year, I would actively participate. I had participated before, but 2025 felt different. The community was vibrant, issues were abundant, and I wanted to make meaningful contributions. Looking back now, I am proud to say I completed 18 merged pull requests across three repositories, collected several Holopin badges, and earned a place among the top 10,000 contributors, which came with the official Hacktoberfest T-shirt and a tree planted in my name.

My journey began with curiosity and a hint of nervous excitement. I started small by fixing a minor documentation issue in a repository I liked. When my first pull request was merged, I felt a mix of accomplishment and motivation. That green “merged” label was not just a confirmation of my work, it was proof that even small contributions have value. That feeling pushed me to explore more repositories and issues.

Over the next few weeks, I focused on repositories related to Python and automation. I contributed wherever I could, from fixing bugs and improving documentation to adding small features. Each merged PR taught me more about collaboration, Git workflows, and writing cleaner code. The process was not always smooth. Sometimes my changes were rejected or required revisions. I learned to accept feedback and improve my submissions. The thrill of finally seeing a corrected PR merge into the main branch never faded.

Collecting Holopin badges became a fun part of the experience. Earning badges like the limited-edition Pegasaurus or quirky “Hello World” reminded me that Hacktoberfest was not just about coding, it was about being part of a community. The badges were small milestones, celebrating persistence, curiosity, and creativity. I checked my collection frequently, feeling motivated to continue contributing.

One of the most memorable moments was receiving the notification that I was among the top 10,000 contributors. It was exciting to know that my efforts were recognized globally. The official Hacktoberfest T-shirt felt like a badge of honor, but the tree planted in my name added a deeper sense of purpose. I realized that open source is not just about technology, it is also about giving back to the world, directly or indirectly.

Hacktoberfest 2025 was a journey of growth. I gained confidence in my coding abilities, learned how to navigate open-source communities, and understood the importance of collaboration. I also discovered that contributing to open source is not a competition; it is a chance to help, share knowledge, and learn from others. Each PR, each bug fix, and each badge earned was a reminder that consistent effort matters more than perfection.

As October ended, I reflected on the experience. Hacktoberfest taught me patience, resilience, and the joy of contributing to something larger than myself. It showed me that open source is accessible to everyone, and that even small contributions can have a meaningful impact. The journey does not end with the last PR of the month. For me, it is only the beginning of a continued open-source journey.

I am grateful for the developers, maintainers, and contributors who welcomed me into their projects. Hacktoberfest 2025 will remain one of my most rewarding experiences in coding. It was not just about the T-shirt or the tree, it was about learning, growing, and connecting with a community that values collaboration and creativity. I look forward to the next Hacktoberfest and the next opportunity to contribute to the open-source ecosystem.

Here is to code, collaboration, and the forests we help grow.

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Sunil Xtha