===== Introduction =====
Welcome to the ClearOS developer section.  Before you get scared away by the word //developer// you should know that you don't need to code software to contribute!  You can:

  * Help with [[developer:translations:start|translations]]
  * Submit, diagnose and verify [[developer:bug tracker:start|bugs]]
  * Create new [[developer:theming:start|themes]]
  * Develop new [[developer:apps:start|apps]]
  * Contribute with [[developer:packaging:start|packaging RPMs and releases]]
  * Help design core parts of the [[developer:architecture:start|architecture]]

Feel free to browse around the various developer sections.  If you want to start contributing, please read on.

===== Getting Started =====
Before you can start using any of the online developer infrastructure, you will first need to request a developer account. 

==== Step 1 - Create a ClearFoundation Account ====
If you haven't already done so, please create a user account on the ClearFoundation web site.  Even though your developer account will be separate, we want you to have a consistent username across the various bits of infrastructure.

  * [[http://www.clearfoundation.com/Community/Register.html|Create a ClearFoundation Account]] 

==== Step 2 - Request a Developer Account ====
To request a developer account, please send a quick e-mail with your ClearFoundation username to [[developer@clearfoundation.com]].  Please specify how you plan to contribute so that we can create the right kind of account for you!

  * [[http://translate.clearcenter.com/pootle|Online Translation System]]
  * [[http://tracker.clearfoundation.com/|Bug/Feature Tracker]]
  * [[http://buildsys.clearfoundation.com/|Build System]]
  * [[http://code.clearfoundation.com/|Source Code Management - SVN/CVS/git]]

==== Step 3 - Submit Contributor Agreement and Account Request ====
In order to protect ClearFoundation and its projects, we ask that developers who contribute intellectual property (including patches and source code) agree to a contributor agreement.  The [[http://www.gnu.org/licenses/why-assign.html|Free Software Foundation (FSF)]] has a concise explanation on why this is standard practice for open source projects.   If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us - developer@clearfoundation.com.

  * [[Developer Account Request|Contributor Agreement]]

==== Step 4 - Create Your Development Environment ====
Whether you are translating, creating apps, or building RPM packages, you will want to create a ClearOS development environment!

  * [[Development Environment]]


==== Step 5 - Generate SSH Keys (Optional) ====
As you already know, there are some security sensitive areas, namely:

  * [[developer:packaging:build system|Build System]]
  * [[developer:packaging:release system|Release System]]
  * [[developer:source code:Source Code Management System]]

If you plan on using of these systems, we'll need to arrange getting your public SSH key.  You can find more information on SSH keys in the following document:

  * [[Creating and Managing SSH Keys]]