[FEATURE] Create a section called "Projects by Users" where users can submit their own projects, this will not only attract contributors but maintainers too! #201
Description
Summary
Add a “Projects by Users” section where developers can submit their own open-source projects. This will help contributors discover real community projects and give maintainers more visibility, strengthening the platform’s ecosystem.
Problem
Right now, the platform only showcases pre-listed or curated projects, which limits community participation. New developers or maintainers who want visibility for their own open-source projects have no direct way to submit them. This reduces project diversity, slows contributor discovery, and creates a one-way exploration experience instead of a community-driven ecosystem. Adding a space where users can submit their own projects solves this gap and makes the platform more dynamic.
Proposed Solution
Introduce a “Projects by Users” section where developers can submit their open-source projects. The section should include a simple submission form (project name, repo link, description, tags, tech stack) and display the projects in a filterable list. Submissions can optionally go through a light moderation step to maintain quality. This creates a community-powered project directory that benefits both contributors and maintainers.
Alternatives Considered
One option was to expand the existing curated project list, but that still keeps the process closed and doesn’t empower users to submit their own work. Another idea was to allow project submissions only through pull requests, though that adds friction and may discourage new contributors. A fully automated ingest system was also considered, but it risks low-quality or spammy entries. The proposed dedicated user-submitted section strikes the right balance between openness, usability, and quality control.
Additional Context
This feature aligns with the platform’s goal of making open-source more accessible and community-driven. Many new developers struggle to find beginner-friendly projects, while small maintainers struggle to get visibility. A user-powered project directory bridges that gap. This section can later be expanded with categories, filters, or badges (e.g., beginner-friendly, actively maintained) as the community grows, making the ecosystem richer over time.