# Contributing to Evercatch

Thank you for your interest in contributing to Evercatch! 🎉

While Evercatch is currently **closed-source**, we welcome community contributions in several ways.

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## 🐛 Bug Reports

Found a bug? Please report it!

**Before reporting:**
1. Search [existing issues](../../issues) to avoid duplicates
2. Check [docs.evercatch.dev](https://docs.evercatch.dev) for solutions
3. Verify it's reproducible

**How to report:**
1. Use our [Bug Report Template](../../issues/new?template=bug_report.md)
2. Include clear steps to reproduce
3. Provide environment details (tier, timestamps, event IDs)
4. **Never include** API keys or sensitive data

**What happens next:**
- We'll acknowledge within 24-48 hours
- We'll add appropriate labels
- We'll investigate and provide updates
- Critical bugs are prioritized

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## ✨ Feature Requests

Have an idea? We'd love to hear it!

**Before requesting:**
1. Check the [Public Roadmap](https://roadmap.evercatch.dev)
2. Search [existing requests](../../issues?q=is%3Aissue+label%3Afeature)
3. Think about the use case and impact

**How to request:**
1. Use our [Feature Request Template](../../issues/new?template=feature_request.md)
2. Explain the problem it solves
3. Describe your ideal solution
4. Share your use case
5. Mention which tier would benefit

**What happens next:**
- We'll review and discuss with you
- Popular requests get upvoted
- We'll add to roadmap if aligned with our vision
- You'll be notified when we start building it

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## 📚 Documentation

Help us improve our docs!

**Ways to contribute:**
- Report unclear or missing documentation
- Suggest better examples
- Point out broken links
- Fix typos or grammar

**How to contribute:**
1. Use our [Documentation Template](../../issues/new?template=documentation.md)
2. Link to the specific docs page
3. Explain what's wrong
4. Suggest improvements

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## 🧪 Beta Testing

Want early access to new features?

**Join our beta program:**
1. Sign up at [evercatch.dev/beta](https://evercatch.dev/beta)
2. Get invited to private beta releases
3. Test new features before they're public
4. Provide feedback directly to the team

**Beta testers get:**
- ✨ Early access to features
- 🎯 Direct line to product team
- 🎁 Swag and perks
- 🏆 Recognition in release notes

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## 💬 Community Support

Help other users in the community!

**Ways to help:**
- Answer questions in issues
- Share your integration examples
- Write blog posts about Evercatch
- Create video tutorials

**Recognition:**
Top contributors get:
- 🎖️ "Community Helper" badge
- 💎 Free tier upgrades
- 🎁 Swag package
- 🌟 Featured in our newsletter

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## 🔐 Security

**Found a security vulnerability?**

**DO NOT** open a public issue. Instead:

📧 **Email:** [security@evercatch.dev](mailto:security@evercatch.dev)

See our [Security Policy](SECURITY.md) for details.

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## 🎯 Integration Examples

Share how you're using Evercatch!

**We're looking for:**
- Code examples in different languages
- Integration guides for specific providers
- Creative use cases
- Performance optimizations

**How to share:**
1. Open a [Feature Request](../../issues/new?template=feature_request.md)
2. Label it as "integration-example"
3. Share your code (sanitized of secrets!)
4. Explain the use case

**We'll feature the best examples on:**
- [docs.evercatch.dev](https://docs.evercatch.dev)
- Our blog
- Social media

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## 📝 Blog Posts & Tutorials

Written about Evercatch?

**Let us know!** We'll:
- Share it on our blog
- Promote it on social media
- Link to it from our docs
- Send you swag 🎁

**Email:** [community@evercatch.dev](mailto:community@evercatch.dev)

**Include:**
- Link to your post
- Brief summary
- Your name/company
- Preferred social handle

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## 🎨 Design Feedback

Got UI/UX suggestions?

**We love design feedback:**
- Dashboard improvements
- API response formats
- Documentation layout
- Error messages

**How to share:**
1. Open a [Feature Request](../../issues/new?template=feature_request.md)
2. Include screenshots or mockups
3. Explain the improvement
4. Share design rationale

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## 💡 Best Practices

### Writing Good Issues

**Do:**
- ✅ Use clear, descriptive titles
- ✅ Include all requested template information
- ✅ Provide context and examples
- ✅ Be respectful and professional
- ✅ Follow up on questions

**Don't:**
- ❌ Create duplicate issues
- ❌ Ask multiple unrelated questions in one issue
- ❌ Bump issues without new information
- ❌ Include API keys or sensitive data
- ❌ Demand features or fixes

### Communication Guidelines

**Be:**
- 🤝 Respectful and professional
- 📝 Clear and concise
- 💭 Open to discussion
- 🙏 Patient with response times
- ❤️ Kind to other community members

**Remember:**
- We're a small team
- Enterprise users get priority support
- Free tier users may wait longer
- Some features may not align with our roadmap
- We appreciate your understanding

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## 🏆 Recognition

### Hall of Fame

Top contributors get featured in our:
- Monthly newsletter
- Annual report
- About page
- Conference talks

### Contributor Tiers

**🥉 Bronze** (1-5 contributions)
- Thank you in release notes
- Digital badge

**🥈 Silver** (6-15 contributions)
- Free Indie plan (1 year)
- Swag package
- Featured in newsletter

**🥇 Gold** (16+ contributions)
- Free Studio plan (1 year)
- Premium swag
- Video call with founders
- Listed as "Top Contributor"

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## 📅 Release Process

**Our schedule:**
- 🚀 **Major releases** - Quarterly
- 🔄 **Minor releases** - Monthly
- 🐛 **Bug fixes** - Weekly
- 🔥 **Hotfixes** - As needed

**Stay updated:**
- [Changelog](https://changelog.evercatch.dev)
- [Twitter](https://twitter.com/evercatch)
- [Newsletter](https://evercatch.dev/newsletter)

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## 🤝 Code of Conduct

All contributors must follow our [Code of Conduct](CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md).

**Summary:**
- Be respectful and inclusive
- No harassment or discrimination
- Focus on constructive feedback
- Help create a welcoming community

**Violations:** Report to [conduct@evercatch.dev](mailto:conduct@evercatch.dev)

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## ❓ Questions?

**Not sure where to start?**

- 📚 Read the [docs](https://docs.evercatch.dev)
- 💬 Ask in [issues](../../issues)
- 📧 Email [community@evercatch.dev](mailto:community@evercatch.dev)
- 🐦 Tweet [@evercatch](https://twitter.com/evercatch)

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## 🎁 Thank You!

Every contribution matters, no matter how small:
- 🐛 Bug reports help us improve
- ✨ Feature ideas shape our roadmap  
- 📚 Documentation helps other users
- 💬 Community support makes everyone's experience better

**We appreciate you!** ❤️

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<p align="center">
  <strong>Built with ❤️ by developers, for developers</strong>
  <br/>
  <a href="https://evercatch.dev">Website</a> •
  <a href="https://docs.evercatch.dev">Docs</a> •
  <a href="https://roadmap.evercatch.dev">Roadmap</a> •
  <a href="https://status.evercatch.dev">Status</a>
</p>
