Merge pull request #616 from abby-ql/add-start-contributing

Add getting started pages

Author: reardonj

src/community/README.md

@@ -24,3 +24,11 @@ Typelevel boasts an impressive ecosystem of affiliate projects, built by our com
 @:fragment(coc)
 The Typelevel community is dedicated to providing a positive experience for everyone. Whether you are new or familiar with our community, we care about making it a welcoming and safe place for you and we are here to support you.
 @:@
+
+@:fragment(contributing)
+Learn how to get involved in Typelevel projects. Find good first issues, understand the workflow, and collaborate with maintainers.
+@:@
+
+@:fragment(resources)
+Explore recommended books, courses, and documentation for learning functional programming in Scala and the Typelevel ecosystem.
+@:@

src/community/about.template.html

@@ -68,6 +68,38 @@ <h4 class="bulma-is-4 bulma-has-text-danger-20">Code of Conduct</h4>
         </div>
       </div>
     </div>
+    <div class="bulma-column bulma-is-6-tablet bulma-is-12-mobile">
+      <div class="bulma-card bulma-has-background-info-95">
+        <div class="bulma-card-content bulma-has-text-centered">
+          <span class="bulma-icon bulma-large bulma-has-text-info bulma-is-large bulma-is-size-3">
+            @:svg(fa-puzzle-piece)
+          </span>
+          <h4 class="bulma-is-4 bulma-has-text-info-20">Start Contributing</h4>
+          <div class="bulma-content bulma-has-text-left hyphenate">
+            ${cursor.currentDocument.fragments.contributing}
+          </div>
+          <a class="bulma-button bulma-is-info" href="@:target(start-contributing.md)">
+            Learn How
+          </a>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+    <div class="bulma-column bulma-is-6-tablet bulma-is-12-mobile">
+      <div class="bulma-card bulma-has-background-link-95">
+        <div class="bulma-card-content bulma-has-text-centered">
+          <span class="bulma-icon bulma-large bulma-has-text-link bulma-is-large bulma-is-size-3">
+            @:svg(fa-person-chalkboard)
+          </span>
+          <h4 class="bulma-is-4 bulma-has-text-link-20">Learning Resources</h4>
+          <div class="bulma-content bulma-has-text-left hyphenate">
+            ${cursor.currentDocument.fragments.resources}
+          </div>
+          <a class="bulma-button bulma-is-link" href="@:target(learning-resources.md)">
+            View Resources
+          </a>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
   </div>
 </div>
 @:@

src/community/learning-resources.md

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+
+#  Learning Resources
+
+This is a collection of community recommended resources for functional programming in Scala and materials that help contributors understand the ideas behind Typelevel libraries.
+
+> These resources are optional. You can start contributing with good first issues or examples and learn more as you go!
+
+## Foundational books & guides
+
+- **[Creative Scala](https://www.creativescala.org/creative-scala/)**: Hands-on exercises and  usage for practising Scala.
+
+- **[Essential Scala](https://underscore.io/books/essential-scala/)**: A functionally-friendly introduction to Scala language features.
+
+- **[Scala with Cats](https://scalawithcats.com)**:  Practical introduction to Cats
+
+- **[Functional Programming in Scala](https://www.manning.com/books/functional-programming-in-scala-second-edition)**: A classic introduction to FP ideas in Scala; strong on the thinking behind libraries like Cats. 
+
+
+## Documentation for Key Libraries
+
+- **[Cats Effect](https://typelevel.org/cats-effect/)**: Core to the modern Typelevel runtime model.
+  
+- **[FS2](https://fs2.io)**: Functional streaming library used throughout the ecosystem.  
+
+- **[http4s](https://http4s.org)**: Functional HTTP toolkit for Scala.  
+
+- **[Circe](https://circe.github.io/circe)**: JSON library for Scala.  
+
+- **[Laika](https://typelevel.org/Laika/)**: Site and E-book Generator and Customizable Text Markup Transformer in Scala
+
+
+## Tutorials & Courses
+
+- Coursera courses [Functional Programming in Scala](https://www.coursera.org/learn/scala-functional-programming) (useful if you prefer lecture-style learning and a systematic introduction).  
+
+## Scala ecosystem docs
+
+- **[Official Scala documentation](https://docs.scala-lang.org/)**: general language reference and guides

src/community/start-contributing.md

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+
+# Start Contributing to Typelevel
+
+Typelevel projects power a large part of the functional Scala ecosystem. They are also complex, long-lived codebases with active communities. Contributing can feel intimidating at first, but the path in is actually quite simple! 
+
+Build something small with Cats Effect. Try streaming something with FS2. Use http4s for a simple service. Build with [Typelevel Toolkit](https://typelevel.org/toolkit/). Build a static site with Laika.
+
+> Become a user of the ecosystem you want to contribute to.
+
+Also some tips that works well across most Typelevel repositories:
+
+#### Find something that can be improved
+- Look for open issues, especially those labeled `good first issue` or `help wanted`.
+- Browse the curated [good-first-issues board](https://github.com/orgs/typelevel/projects/1/).
+- If you're already using the library, improve something that bothered you.
+- Documentation and tests are excellent starting points too.
+
+#### Understand the problem first
+- Read the issue carefully, understand the current implementation.
+- Look for existing PRs or recent comments.
+- Check whether a solution was already proposed.
+
+#### Communication is Key
+- Comment on the issue saying you'd like to work on it and briefly describe your idea or approach.
+- Ask clarifying questions if anything is unclear.
+- If the change is small, you can open a draft PR early to get feedback.
+
+#### Open a PR and iterate
+- Fork the repo, create a branch, and implement the change. Add or update tests where appropriate.
+- Open a PR with a clear description of the problem and your solution.
+- Expect review feedback, ask questions, adjust your changes, and iterate.
+
+#### Where to Ask for Help
+- Join the [Typelevel Discord](https://discord.gg/typelevel-632277896739946517).
+- Ask in `#starting-contributing` if you're new to contributing.
+- Use library-specific channels like `#cats`, `#cats-effect`, `#fs2`, or `#http4s` for more focused questions.
+- You can also ask directly on a GitHub issue if your question is specific to that issue.