Contributing to MAVLink

We follow the Github flow development model. Contributions fall into two main categories: Design and micro-service changes include new features that come with a state machine and message specifications for a new type of interface (examples: parameter or mission protocol). These are major contributions requiring a lot of vetting and should come with a RFC pull request in https://github.com/mavlink/rfcs. Protocol specification and documentation changes are usually changes with less impact and can be directly raised as pull requests against this repository.

Below we explain the processes for contributing to each category and how to raise a pull request.

How to Contribute Design and Micro-service Changes

Open a pull request against the RFC repository containing a new RFC number https://github.com/mavlink/rfcs and use the template in the 0000 RFC.
Reach out to the community on Slack and on http://discuss.dronecode.org to raise awareness
Address concerns by pushing more commits to the pull request

How to Contribute Protocol Specification Changes

Open a pull request against the specification repository: https://github.com/mavlink/mavlink
Reach out to the community on Slack and on http://discuss.dronecode.org to raise awareness
Address concerns by pushing more commits to the pull request

How to Open a Pull Request

First fork and clone the project project.
Create a feature branch off master
```
git checkout -b mydescriptivebranchname
```
Always branch off master for new features.
Commit your changes with a descriptive commit message.
- Include context information, what was fixed, and an issue number (Github will link these then conveniently)
- Example:
```
Change the attitude output spec documentation

- Fixes a typo
- Clarifies that units are radians

Fixes issue #123
```
Test your changes (we may ask you for test results in your PR).

Push changes to your repo:

git push origin mydescriptivebranchname

Send a pull request to merge changes in the branch.

Support

Weekly Dev Call

MAVLink developers, adopting companies and the surrounding community of users meet weekly to help define the direction of the project, discuss RFCs, Issues and have a Q&A session.

Who should attend:

Core project maintainers
Component maintainers
Dronecode members
Community members
Anyone interested in the development of MAVLink

The dev call is open to all interested developers (not just the dev team). This is a great opportunity to meet the team and contribute to the ongoing development of the project.

Schedule

TIME: Wednesday 6:15PM CET, 12:15AM EST, 9:15AM PST (subscribe to calendar)
Join the call: https://zoom.us/j/579545140
Meeting ID: 625 711 763
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
- Switzerland: +41 (0) 31 528 0988
- US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 408 740 3766
- Germany: +49 (0) 30 3080 6188
- Mexico: +52 554 161 4288
- Australia: +61 (0) 2 8015 2088
- United Kingdom: +44 (0) 20 3695 0088
- South Korea: +82 (0) 2 6022 2322
- Spain: +34 91 198 0188
- International numbers available
Nominate Issues and PRs for the call with the Dev Call label on Github

Contributing