Contributing to Personal Finance AI Assistant

Thank you for your interest in contributing to the Personal Finance AI Assistant! We welcome contributions from everyone.

🤝 How to Contribute

Reporting Bugs

1. Check if the bug has already been reported in Issues
2. If not, create a new issue with:
   • Clear description of the bug
   • Steps to reproduce
   • Expected vs actual behavior
   • Screenshots if applicable
   • Environment details (OS, browser, etc.)

Suggesting Features

1. Check existing Issues and Discussions
2. Create a new issue with:
   • Clear description of the feature
   • Use case and benefits
   • Possible implementation approach

Code Contributions

Getting Started

1. Fork the repository
2. Clone your fork:

   git clone https://github.com/yourusername/personal-finance-chatbot.git
   cd personal-finance-chatbot

3. Install dependencies:

   npm install

4. Create a new branch:

   git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name

Development Guidelines

Code Style

• Use TypeScript for all new code
• Follow existing code formatting (Prettier configuration)
• Use meaningful variable and function names
• Add comments for complex logic
• Follow React best practices

Security Guidelines

• Never commit sensitive data (API keys, passwords, etc.)
• Use environment variables for configuration
• Validate all user inputs
• Follow secure coding practices
• Test security features thoroughly

Accessibility Guidelines

• Ensure all new features are accessible
• Use semantic HTML elements
• Add proper ARIA labels
• Test with screen readers
• Maintain keyboard navigation support
• Follow WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines

Testing

• Write tests for new features
• Ensure existing tests pass
• Test accessibility features
• Test on multiple browsers
• Test voice features if applicable

Pull Request Process

1. Before submitting:

   • Ensure your code follows the style guidelines
   • Run tests: npm test
   • Build the project: npm run build
   • Test accessibility features
   • Update documentation if needed

2. Submitting the PR:

   • Use a clear, descriptive title
   • Describe what changes you made and why
   • Reference any related issues
   • Include screenshots for UI changes
   • Mark as draft if work in progress

3. After submitting:

   • Respond to review feedback promptly
   • Make requested changes
   • Keep the PR updated with main branch

Commit Message Guidelines

Use clear, descriptive commit messages:

feat: add bank account connection feature
fix: resolve accessibility issue in navigation
docs: update installation instructions
style: improve button hover effects
refactor: optimize transaction categorization
test: add tests for security features

🔒 Security Contributions

Reporting Security Vulnerabilities

• DO NOT create public issues for security vulnerabilities
• Email security@yourdomain.com with details
• Include steps to reproduce and potential impact
• We'll respond within 24 hours

Security Code Reviews

• All security-related changes require thorough review
• Test with security tools and manual testing
• Document security implications
• Follow principle of least privilege

♿ Accessibility Contributions

Accessibility Testing

• Test with screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
• Verify keyboard navigation
• Check color contrast ratios
• Test voice features
• Validate ARIA implementation

Accessibility Guidelines

• Use semantic HTML
• Provide alternative text for images
• Ensure proper heading hierarchy
• Add ARIA labels where needed
• Test with assistive technologies

🌍 Internationalization

Adding New Languages

1. Create translation files in locales/ directory
2. Update language selector component
3. Test right-to-left languages if applicable
4. Ensure cultural appropriateness

Translation Guidelines

• Use clear, simple language
• Consider cultural context
• Test with native speakers
• Maintain consistent terminology

📝 Documentation

Code Documentation

• Document complex functions and algorithms
• Add JSDoc comments for public APIs
• Update README for new features
• Include examples in documentation

User Documentation

• Update user guides for new features
• Add screenshots and videos
• Keep accessibility instructions current
• Translate important documentation

🎯 Priority Areas

We especially welcome contributions in these areas:

High Priority

• Security enhancements
• Accessibility improvements
• Performance optimizations
• Bug fixes
• Test coverage improvements

Medium Priority

• New financial features
• UI/UX improvements
• Additional bank integrations
• Voice command enhancements
• Mobile responsiveness

Low Priority

• Code refactoring
• Documentation improvements
• Development tooling
• Additional languages

🚀 Development Setup

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+
• npm or yarn
• Git
• Modern browser for testing

Environment Setup

1. Copy environment template:

   cp .env.example .env.local

2. Add required API keys
3. Configure security settings
4. Test the application

Testing Setup

• Run development server: npm run dev
• Run tests: npm test
• Check accessibility: Use browser dev tools
• Test voice features: Enable microphone permissions

📞 Getting Help

Community Support

• GitHub Discussions
• Issues

Development Questions

• Check existing documentation
• Search closed issues and discussions
• Ask specific, detailed questions
• Provide context and examples

🏆 Recognition

Contributors will be:

• Listed in the README
• Mentioned in release notes
• Invited to join the contributors team
• Recognized for significant contributions

📄 License

By contributing, you agree that your contributions will be licensed under the MIT License.

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Thank you for helping make financial technology more accessible and inclusive! 🙏