Like many organizations, the VMware Tanzu team embraced Backstage almost three years ago for its plug-in-centric architecture, modular design, and flexibility. Our initial goal was to seamlessly integrate it with our secure software supply chain platform VMware Tanzu Application Platform. This integration paved the way for the creation of the UI for the Tanzu Application Platform. Recognizing the crucial role of developer experience, and understanding how internal developer portals and platforms intertwine to enhance it, we launched the Tanzu Developer Portal based on Backstage. As with all products in the VMware Tanzu portfolio, we've designed this solution to be user friendly, enterprise supported, securely deployed, and equipped with automated lifecycle management.
Active involvement in the Backstage community
We are committed to open source and the Backstage community, which is why we actively contribute to the project. In fact, one of our senior tech leads, Jamie Klassen, recently became a Kubernetes project area maintainer. Additionally, we have other engineers who are part of the Backstage organization and are working their way up to become project area maintainers. We’ve quickly realized that having a project area maintainer enables teams at VMware to build around Backstage faster and with greater confidence.
The Backstage experience: What's in it for contributors?
The adventure for a contributor usually kicks off with a burst of excitement as you dive into personalizing Backstage. However, it's not long before you discover the project's immense scope and find yourself swamped with questions about how it all works. As you gain insight into a specific area of interest, you spot potential contributions to the open source project—think new plug-ins, features, bug fixes, or documentation improvements. That's when the questions start flooding in: Who can help me? Will the community be on board with my idea? Is my contribution significant or impactful enough? That's where the Backstage community comes in!
A warm and welcoming community
One of the most notable aspects of contributing to Backstage is the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Right from the get-go, newcomers are encouraged to participate, regardless of their skill level or background. The community is diverse and inclusive, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect among contributors.
A platform for learning and growth
Contributing to Backstage isn't just about writing code or fixing bugs; it's also an opportunity to learn and grow both personally and professionally. The project encompasses a wide range of technologies, tools, and best practices, giving contributors a chance to broaden their knowledge base and sharpen their skills. Moreover, the supportive community is always ready to lend a helping hand or share their expertise, allowing contributors to learn from one another.
Empowerment through contribution
When contributors work on Backstage they're actively shaping the future of the project. They're given the freedom to make decisions and take ownership of their work while having guidance from senior community members or maintainers. This sense of empowerment is incredibly motivating, and it encourages contributors to push themselves and strive for excellence in everything they do.
Networking and connections
Contributing to Backstage provides a unique opportunity to network and forge connections with like-minded individuals from around the globe. This diverse community is made up of professionals from various industries and backgrounds, providing a wealth of knowledge and experience for contributors to tap into.
Celebrating successes
The Backstage community is not just about hard work and dedication; it's also about celebrating successes and milestones together. Contributors are recognized and applauded for their achievements, whether it's a small bug fix or a major feature implementation. This positive reinforcement motivates contributors to continue giving their best and fosters a strong sense of camaraderie among the team.
Join the Backstage community
Contributing to Backstage is an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impact on everyone involved. The welcoming community, the opportunities for learning and growth, the sense of empowerment, the networking possibilities, and the celebration of successes all come together to create a truly unique and fulfilling experience for contributors. If you're looking to expand your skillset, make meaningful connections, and be part of something truly special, consider joining the Backstage community.
There's a wealth of information on how to start contributing to the project at GitHub repository. Once you've checked out the guidelines, don't hesitate to ask questions on Discord or as part of a GitHub issue, create a PR, or join a community meeting or standardized information gathering (SIG) call. You’ll find answers to support your journey.
