> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/mullvad/mullvadvpn-app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Contributing Guidelines

> Learn how to contribute to the Mullvad VPN app development

The Mullvad VPN app is open sourced to allow users to verify its functionality and to receive contributions from third parties.

## Why We're Open Source

We open source the Mullvad VPN app for two primary reasons:

* **Transparency**: Allow users to verify that our app functions as we claim it does, giving them the option to build it from source without having to trust our released binaries
* **Community Contributions**: Receive contributions from third parties to improve the app

## Filing Issues

If you find a bug in the app's code, please report it on GitHub in the [issue tracker](https://github.com/mullvad/mullvadvpn-app/issues).

<Warning>
  Please send all other problems or questions (those not directly related to the app's development) to [support@mullvadvpn.net](mailto:support@mullvadvpn.net). This includes:

  * Connection issues
  * Questions regarding your account
  * Problems with the Mullvad VPN infrastructure or servers
</Warning>

## Submitting Changes

If you would like to contribute to the development of the Mullvad VPN app, please carefully read the following sections first and then feel free to submit a pull request on GitHub.

<Note>
  While we appreciate your interest in helping us to improve Mullvad VPN, please understand that choosing which submitted changes to merge is fully at our discretion, based upon our development plans for the app.
</Note>

### Localization / Translations

The app is translated and proofread via a third party company. We can't take in user improvements to the translations directly, since we can't verify their correctness. All translations have to go via the translation company.

If you want to improve an existing translation:

1. **Do not** edit the PO files and submit to us directly
2. Instead, fill in your suggested improvement in [this form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEFRe0ojdl6QdHPp7Z9qIvdGTc1uSgbswQT6d-VRQ98GBO2w/viewform)
3. The translation company will pick it up and process the suggestion

### Copyright and Ownership

Any code, binaries, tools, documentation, graphics, or any other material that you submit to this project will be licensed under GPL 3.0.

<Warning>
  Submitting to this project means that you are the original author of the entire contribution and grant us the full right to use, publish, change or remove the entire, or part of, your contribution under the terms defined by the GPL 3.0 license at any point in time.
</Warning>

### Code Style and Design

Please follow the [Mullvad coding guidelines](https://github.com/mullvad/coding-guidelines) when submitting code.

## Getting Started

Before contributing, make sure to:

1. Read the [build instructions](https://github.com/mullvad/mullvadvpn-app/blob/main/BuildInstructions.md) for your platform
2. Review the [security practices](/development/security-practices) for secure development
3. Understand the [code signing requirements](/development/code-signing) for merge commits
4. Familiarize yourself with the repository structure and codebase

## Development Resources

* [GitHub Repository](https://github.com/mullvad/mullvadvpn-app)
* [Coding Guidelines](https://github.com/mullvad/coding-guidelines)
* [Build Instructions](https://github.com/mullvad/mullvadvpn-app/blob/main/BuildInstructions.md)
* [Developer Keys](https://mullvad.net/en/guides/open-source/)