Join the team
Build the future of desktop pets
OpenPets grew from first commit to 1,100+ GitHub stars and 1,200+ pets in four months. Now we're forming a small core team to help v4 ship.
GitHub stars
Forks
1300+
Pets in catalog
Contributors
Why now
A project that outgrew two people
OpenPets went from first commit to over a thousand GitHub stars and a catalog of 1,200+ pets in four months. Right now it is one maintainer and one regular contributor. Version 4 adds a conversational Pet Assistant with voice, and that is more work than two people can carry. We are putting together a small core team. Pick an area below and make it yours.
v4 adds a conversational Pet Assistant with voice.
Six ways to help
These are areas that need an owner, not job titles. You keep full credit for your work, and you decide how deep to go.
ROLE 01 // CORE DEV
Core Developer
Own features in the desktop app, the CLI, or the plugin SDK. TypeScript, Vue, and Electron, with a public roadmap. The v4 Pet Assistant epic has open pieces waiting: voice, providers, chat UI.
Apply as core dev
ROLE 02 // VIBE
Vibe Coder
You build with AI coding agents and ship experiments fast. OpenPets is built for agent workflows, so prototype plugins, integrations, and strange ideas. We review the results together and merge what works.
Apply as vibe coder
ROLE 03 // ART
Pixel Artist
Draw animated pets and reaction sets. No code needed. Community pets ship to the public catalog after review, with your name on the pet page.
Submit a pet
ROLE 04 // COMMUNITY
Community Founder
There is no Discord or forum yet because nobody runs one. Start it, write the rules, run showcases, and own it as a founder rather than a moderator in someone else's server.
Apply as founder
ROLE 05 // PLATFORMS
Platform Maintainer
You use Linux or Windows daily. Reproduce bugs, test releases before they ship, and own your platform's quirks. Wayland and Windows physics both need a champion.
Apply as maintainer
ROLE 06 // DOCS
Docs Writer
Keep guides accurate as features land, write tutorials, and fix the setup steps that confuse new users. Docs decide whether new contributors stick around.
Apply as writer
How We Work
Async on GitHub
Issues, pull requests, and a monthly written update covering what shipped, what is next, and where we need help. No meetings, no timezone math.
Real ownership
A role means you own an area and the decisions in it. Repeat contributors get maintainer rights.
Direct line
You work directly with the maintainer. Reviews usually land within a day or two.
Start small
First contribution before commitment. Take a help wanted issue, submit one pet, or open an application and say what you want to own.
No meetings required. Clear issues, honest feedback, and room to make your corner of OpenPets excellent.
Ready to adopt a part of OpenPets?
Pick a role, open an issue or PR, and we'll help you land the first contribution.
