.. SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2003-2026 Wilson Snyder
.. SPDX-License-Identifier: LGPL-3.0-only OR Artistic-2.0

Contributing to Verilator
=========================

Thanks for using Verilator! We welcome your contributions in whatever form.

This contributing document contains some suggestions that may make
contributions flow more efficiently.


Did you find a Verilator bug?
-----------------------------

- Please **ensure the bug was not already reported** by searching
  `Verilator Issues <https://verilator.org/issues>`__.

- Please **download the latest development GitHub version**, build, and see
  if the issue has been fixed.

- If you're unable to find an open issue addressing the problem, `open a
  new Verilator issue <https://verilator.org/issues/new>`__.

  - Be sure to include a **code sample** or an **executable test case**
    demonstrating the bug and expected behavior that is not occurring.

  - The ideal example works against other simulators, and is in the
    test_regress/t test format, as described in `Verilator Internals
    Documentation
    <https://github.com/verilator/verilator/blob/master/docs/internals.rst>`__.


Did you write a patch that fixes a Verilator bug?
-------------------------------------------------

- Please `Open a new Verilator issue <https://verilator.org/issues/new>`__
  if there is not one already describing the bug.

- Please `Open a Verilator pull request
  <https://github.com/verilator/verilator/pulls>`__.

- See the coding conventions, and other developer information in
  ``docs/internals.rst`` in the distribution, or as rendered at `Verilator
  Internals Documentation
  <https://github.com/verilator/verilator/blob/master/docs/internals.rst>`__.

- Verilator uses GitHub Actions to provide continuous integration. You may
  want to enable Actions on your GitHub branch to ensure your changes keep
  the tests passing.

- Your source-code contributions must be certified as open source, under
  the `Developer Certificate of Origin
  <https://developercertificate.org/>`__. On your first contribution, you
  must either:

  - Have your patch include the addition of your name to `docs/CONTRIBUTORS
    <CONTRIBUTORS>`__ (preferred).

  - Email, or post in an issue a statement that you certify your
    contributions.

  - In any of these cases, your name will be added to `docs/CONTRIBUTORS
    <CONTRIBUTORS>`__ and you are agreeing all future contributions are
    also certified.

  - We occasionally accept contributions where people do not want their
    name published. Please email us; you must still privately certify your
    contribution.

- Your test contributions are generally considered released into the
  Creative Commons Public Domain (CC0), unless you request otherwise, or
  put a GNU/Artistic license on your file.

- Most important is we get your patch.


Do you have questions on Verilator?
-----------------------------------

- Please see FAQ section and rest of the `Verilator manual
  <https://verilator.org/verilator_doc.html>`__, or `Verilator manual (PDF)
  <https://verilator.org/verilator_doc.pdf>`__.

- Ask any question in the `Verilator forum
  <https://verilator.org/forum>`__.


Code of Conduct
---------------

- Our contributors and participants pledge to make participation in our
  project and our community a positive experience for everyone. We follow
  the `Contributor Covenant version 1.4
  <https://www.contributor-covenant.org/version/1/4/code-of-conduct/>`__.

Thanks!
