mirror of https://github.com/zulip/zulip.git
88 lines
4.6 KiB
Markdown
88 lines
4.6 KiB
Markdown
# Suggesting features and improvements
|
|
|
|
If you have ideas for how to make Zulip better, we'd love to hear from you! Many
|
|
improvements start with a user's suggestion. The best way to suggest a feature
|
|
or an improvement is by starting a conversation in the [Zulip development
|
|
community](https://zulip.com/development-community/). It's a great way to engage
|
|
interactively with members of the community, and explore how best to improve
|
|
Zulip for you and other users.
|
|
|
|
Usually, if the discussion leads to a concrete proposal, Zulip's product team
|
|
will follow up by filing a GitHub issue to track the idea. Many conversations do
|
|
not immediately lead to a GitHub issue, and that's OK! Sometimes the time is not
|
|
right to pin down a plan, or more ideas need to come in before a great proposal
|
|
emerges. Regardless of whether a discussion results in immediate action, we
|
|
appreciate the time everyone takes to make suggestions and brainstorm ideas.
|
|
|
|
## What to include in your proposal
|
|
|
|
- Describe your idea. It's absolutely fine to bring up a problem without
|
|
suggesting a concrete solution.
|
|
- Provide context on how the change you are proposing would help you or your
|
|
organization. It is often helpful to describe how you are using Zulip (e.g.,
|
|
"I work at a small startup", or "I'm teaching a class"). This lets us combine
|
|
our Zulip expertise with your requirements to come up with a great design for
|
|
a feature.
|
|
- If you are aware of a related issue in GitHub or a prior conversation in the
|
|
development community, please include a link.
|
|
|
|
## Starting a conversation about a suggested feature or improvement
|
|
|
|
Steps and best practices for starting a conversation:
|
|
|
|
1. [**Join** the Zulip development
|
|
community](https://zulip.com/development-community/) if you don't already
|
|
have an account.
|
|
2. Pick an **appropriate channel** to discuss your idea:
|
|
- [#feedback](https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/channel/137-feedback) for suggestions for
|
|
the Zulip web app or server. Use this channel if you aren't sure which channel is
|
|
most appropriate.
|
|
- [#mobile](https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/channel/48-mobile) for suggestions
|
|
for the mobile apps.
|
|
- [#desktop](https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/channel/16-desktop) for suggestions
|
|
that are specific to the Zulip desktop app.
|
|
- [#zulip-terminal](https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/channel/206-zulip-terminal)
|
|
for suggestions for the terminal app.
|
|
- [#production
|
|
help](https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/channel/31-production-help) for suggestions
|
|
related to self-hosting Zulip.
|
|
3. **[Start a new topic](https://zulip.com/help/starting-a-new-topic)** for
|
|
discussing your suggestions, using a brief summary of your idea as the
|
|
name of the topic.
|
|
|
|
If you aren't sure where to post or how to name your topic, don't worry!
|
|
Moderators can always rename the topic, or move the thread to another channel.
|
|
|
|
Members of the development community will jump in to discuss your idea. You can
|
|
help by participating in the discussion, including replying to any follow-up
|
|
questions, and helping develop the proposal. The discussion may conclude with an
|
|
issue being filed in GitHub to track the plan that was developed.
|
|
|
|
## Filing a GitHub issue
|
|
|
|
Filing a GitHub issue can be effective when you have a very specific proposal
|
|
for a feature or improvement. Steps and best practices for filing an issue:
|
|
|
|
1. File the issue in the **appropriate [Zulip
|
|
repository](https://github.com/zulip)**. The most commonly used repositories
|
|
are:
|
|
- [zulip/zulip](https://github.com/zulip/zulip/issues) for suggestions for the
|
|
Zulip web app or server. A good default if you aren't sure which repository
|
|
to use.
|
|
- [zulip/zulip-mobile](https://github.com/zulip/zulip-mobile/issues) for
|
|
suggestions for the mobile apps.
|
|
- [zulip/zulip-desktop](https://github.com/zulip/zulip-desktop/issues) for
|
|
suggestions that are specific to the Zulip desktop app.
|
|
- [zulip/zulip-terminal](https://github.com/zulip/zulip-terminal/issues) for
|
|
suggestions for the terminal app.
|
|
2. Do a **quick search** of the repository to see if there is already a similar
|
|
request. If there is, add a comment explaining why you would also appreciate
|
|
the proposed change, and make any additional suggestions you might have. Do
|
|
not file a new issue.
|
|
3. If you are aware of a related discussion in the Zulip development community,
|
|
please **cross-link** between the issue and the discussion thread. [Link to a
|
|
specific
|
|
message](https://zulip.com/help/link-to-a-message-or-conversation#get-a-link-to-a-specific-message)
|
|
in the discussion thread, as message links will still work even if the topic is
|
|
renamed or resolved.
|