@abhisheksuresh2/nodeshield/CONTRIBUTING.md

A Simple But Advanced Node Application Process Manager

### CONTRIBUTING.md

# Contributing to NodeShield  

Thank you for considering contributing to NodeShield! Contributions are welcome and appreciated. This document provides guidelines to help you get started.  

---

## How Can I Contribute?  

### 1. Report Issues  
If you encounter bugs, have feature requests, or notice any improvements that can be made, feel free to open an issue in the [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/AbhishekSuresh2/NodeShield/issues) section. Please provide as much detail as possible to help us understand and resolve the issue.  

### 2. Suggest Features  
We’re always open to new ideas! If you have suggestions to improve NodeShield, share them by creating a feature request in the Issues section.  

### 3. Submit Code Changes  
If you would like to add new features, fix bugs, or improve the codebase, follow the steps below:  

#### Step 1: Fork the Repository  
1. Navigate to the NodeShield repository.  
2. Click on the **Fork** button in the top-right corner.  

#### Step 2: Clone the Forked Repository  
```bash  
git clone https://github.com/<your-username>/NodeShield.git  
cd NodeShield  
```  

#### Step 3: Create a Branch  
Create a branch for your feature or fix:  
```bash  
git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name  
```  

#### Step 4: Make Changes  
- Ensure your code adheres to the existing code style and conventions.  
- Add or update documentation if necessary.  

#### Step 5: Test Changes  
Make sure your changes do not break existing functionality by testing them thoroughly.  

#### Step 6: Commit Your Changes  
Write a clear and concise commit message:  
```bash  
git commit -m "Add: Description of your changes"  
```  

#### Step 7: Push Changes to Your Fork  
```bash  
git push origin feature/your-feature-name  
```  

#### Step 8: Open a Pull Request  
1. Navigate to your forked repository on GitHub.  
2. Click the **Compare & Pull Request** button.  
3. Provide a descriptive title and detailed explanation of your changes.  
4. Submit the Pull Request (PR).  

---

## Code of Conduct  

This project follows a [Code of Conduct](CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md) to ensure a respectful and inclusive environment for everyone.  

---

## Guidelines  

- **Write clear commit messages**: Use conventional commit messages for better version control and history tracking.  
- **Follow the style guide**: Ensure your code matches the style and conventions used in the project.  
- **Write tests**: For every new feature or bug fix, consider adding corresponding tests.  
- **Be respectful**: Keep discussions constructive and inclusive.  

---

## Need Help?  

If you’re stuck or have questions, feel free to open a discussion in the [Discussions Section](https://github.com/AbhishekSuresh2/NodeShield/discussions).  

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## Thank You!  

Your contributions make NodeShield better! We look forward to collaborating with you.