How to Contribute an App or Get Involved with Pi-Apps

Updated

You don't need to be a programmer to contribute to Pi-Apps. According to the project, the easiest ways to help are starring the GitHub repository, telling other Raspberry Pi or ARM Linux users about it, and joining the Discord community. If you want to go further, you can suggest apps, report bugs, or create and submit your own app — but you should check the app eligibility rubric first. Pi-Apps is free and open source under the GPL-3 license, so there is no referral discount or paid tier involved.

Ways to get involved

The project lists several contribution paths, roughly ordered from lowest to highest effort:

  • Star the repository — the project states this helps more people find Pi-Apps.
  • Spread the word — tell someone who has a Raspberry Pi or another ARM Linux device.
  • Join the Discord — communicate with other users, get support, or get involved with development.
  • Make suggestions — propose ideas for the project.
  • Report bugs — flag problems you run into.
  • Suggest apps — recommend an app you'd like to see added.
  • Create and submit an app — build and contribute your own app entry.

Submitting your own app

The project describes app creation as "about as easy as using the terminal," and notes it's even easier if you're submitting a simple apt package. Before you start, the key requirement is that your app must fit the project's app eligibility rubric.

A practical sequence based on that guidance:

  1. Check the eligibility rubric first. Confirm your app fits the project's criteria before investing time in a submission.
  2. Prepare the app. If it's a simple apt package, the project notes the process is easier.
  3. Create and submit the app through the project's contribution channels.
  4. Use Discord for support if you get stuck or want feedback during development.

The expected outcome is that your app becomes part of the Pi-Apps catalog, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements.

What Pi-Apps is (context for contributors)

Pi-Apps is a Raspberry Pi app store for open-source projects. Relevant features for anyone contributing or evaluating it:

Feature What it does
App details View an app's description, website, popularity, and install/uninstall scripts
Install/uninstall progress Install or uninstall multiple apps at once and track progress
Update notifications Notifies you when installed apps have updates available
Lightweight & customizable Uses YAD built on GTK, follows your system theme, and supports any installed GTK themes

Common questions before contributing

Do I need to be a programmer? No. The project explicitly says you don't need to be a programmer to help, and lists starring, sharing, suggesting, and bug reporting as valid contributions.

Is there any payment involved? No. Pi-Apps is free, and the project jokes that it would offer a referral discount but can't because it's free. All code is on GitHub under the GPL-3 license, and the website source is also GPL-3.

Where do I get help? The Discord community (linked as "Botspot Discord" on the site) is the place to communicate with other users, get support, or get involved with development.