The Missing Manual for Open Source Community Sustainability

Learn to build and sustain thriving open source communities in this 30-minute conference talk that serves as the essential manual for project maintainers who have gained users but need guidance on community development. Discover the three fundamental pillars of every open source project: Builders who write code and shape roadmaps, Users who deploy and run the software, and Silent Users who benefit quietly without engaging, plus understand the crucial Builder-User hybrid role that provides vital feedback and momentum. Explore practical strategies to prevent burnout and project decay, identify and retain contributors who maintain project vitality, and develop a comprehensive community playbook that goes beyond code and documentation. Gain actionable insights for supporting the people behind the code and fostering sustainable growth in cloud native open source communities, with specific focus on maintaining contributor engagement and building long-term project sustainability.