At a Glance:
- Involved in open source since: 2019
- Works for: Cofinity-X GmbH
- Eclipse Foundation contributor since: 2024
- Involved in: Eclipse Tractus-X
- Eclipse Foundation committer since: 2025
What’s your background as a developer?
I started my journey as a frontend developer back in 2008. My work centers on building modern, scalable web applications using React, TypeScript, and Redux. Over the years, I’ve worked on several enterprise-level projects where my responsibilities included not only maintaining and enhancing existing systems but also contributing to architectural decisions, particularly around improving component reusability and optimising performance.
Before joining Cofinity-X, I was very involved in another developer community. I regularly contributed to discussions on Stack Exchange, published technical blogs, and delivered presentations on various frontend development topics. These experiences boosted my communication and presentation skills.
I was also honoured to be recognised as a Sitecore MVP (Most Valuable Professional), a global recognition for contributions to the Sitecore community. I was actually the first recipient from Pakistan, and I’ve been awarded this distinction three times. That recognition was a major milestone in my career, as it reflected both my technical expertise and my commitment to knowledge sharing and community building.
How did you get involved in open source?
Around 2019, I started working on a solution aimed at improving asset management within Sitecore. At that time, I noticed there was a missing feature. Recognising this gap, I decided to create a custom package that could automatically generate date-based packages of items, making it much easier for customers to synchronise environments and manage assets efficiently.
That project became my first real experience working deeply with Sitecore. I shared the solution publicly so other developers could benefit from it, and I received great feedback from the community. This experience of identifying a need, building a practical solution, and sharing it openly really planted the seed for my passion for open source collaboration and community-driven problem solving.
How did you then become a committer at the Eclipse Foundation?
When I joined Cofinity-X, I was formally introduced to open source for the first time. Before that, my involvement had mostly been informal: contributing to a few libraries, reporting bugs, and submitting small fixes. But at Cofinity-X, open source was part of the company culture, and I got the opportunity to work on both upstream and downstream projects in a more structured way.
The company’s mission, centered on openness and interoperability, really resonated with me and encouraged me to get involved with the Eclipse Foundation projects. Through that experience, I realised how rewarding open source contribution can be. Not only because you give back to the community, but also because you grow as a developer by learning from feedback and best practices.
I also gained a deeper understanding of how to maintain well-documented issues and pull requests, follow proper review processes, and ensure clean, structured contributions.
What are the biggest challenges as a committer?
One of the main challenges I’ve faced as a committer is finding the right balance between maintaining quality and managing time effectively. As a committer, your role goes beyond just writing code. You’re also responsible for maintaining the overall health of the project and supporting the community around it.
Another challenge is continuously coming up with new ideas and incorporating them into the project. There are times when creativity doesn’t flow easily, or other priorities take up most of your attention. In those moments, staying consistent and committed to the project’s progress can be demanding.
Time management is also key, especially when balancing multiple responsibilities. Fortunately, our team has a very collaborative culture. We hold regular meetings for constructive discussions, and everyone is very supportive. If someone is busy, the team steps in, shares responsibilities, or helps find alternative solutions. Clear and early communication within the community, through our various channels, plays a huge role in keeping everything running smoothly.
What have been the highlights of being a committer?
For me, the biggest highlight has been seeing the real-world impact of open source work. Knowing that the features I’ve contributed to are being used by major companies like BMW and Mercedes is incredibly rewarding. It makes you feel like you’ve truly made a difference.
I’ve also really enjoyed mentoring new contributors, both within my company and in the broader Eclipse Foundation community. Helping others get started, guiding them through their first contributions, and watching them grow has been a fulfilling experience.
Overall, being part of the Eclipse Foundation community has shown me how open source can accelerate innovation while fostering collaboration.
Any advice for someone new to open source?
I always encourage everyone to get involved in open source. It’s a great way to learn, collaborate, and grow as a developer. My advice for newcomers is to start small and stay consistent – even small contributions, like improving documentation, can make a real impact. It’s not about the number of contributions but their quality and alignment with community standards.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek guidance. The open source community is incredibly supportive. Also, leverage your strengths. If you’re good at communication or presentation, share what you learn through blogs or meetups. That’s a great way to build credibility and give back.
Open source isn’t about competition. It’s a journey of learning, sharing, and continuous growth. So be patient and contribute consistently; before long, you’ll find yourself fully engaged in the community, and the experience will be deeply rewarding.