Most developers write open source for free. I write it for money.
Not consulting. Not "exposure." Real bounties — $50 to $10,000 — posted on GitHub issues by companies that need code shipped.
Here's how the system works and how to get started.
What Are GitHub Bounties?
Companies and maintainers attach dollar amounts to GitHub issues. You solve the issue, submit a PR, it gets merged, you get paid.
Platforms like Algora and Opire handle the payment infrastructure. The bounty amount is visible on the issue, and payment is triggered on merge.
No interviews. No timesheets. Just code → cash.
Where to Find Bounties
Search Query #1: Algora Bounties
label:"💎 Bounty" state:open type:issue
This finds ~264 open bounties across GitHub. Filter by dollar labels:
label:"💎 Bounty" label:"$100" state:open type:issue
Search Query #2: General Bounties
label:bounty "$" state:open type:issue
Active Repos with Bounties Right Now
| Repo | Range | Tech Stack |
|---|---|---|
| tenstorrent/tt-metal | $3,500–$10K | C++/Metal |
| zio/zio | $150–$1K | Scala |
| rohitdash08/FinMind | $200–$1K | TypeScript |
| calcom/cal.com | $50–$100 | TypeScript/React |
| coollabsio/coolify | $7–$100 | PHP/Laravel |
I maintain a curated list of bounty repos that I update regularly.
How to Actually Win a Bounty
1. Read the Entire Issue
70% of rejected PRs fail because they missed acceptance criteria. Read every checkbox.
2. Check Existing PRs First
If 8 people already submitted, your odds are low unless your solution is clearly better. Look for issues with <3 PRs.
3. Quality Beats Speed
Maintainers want the PR that works, has tests, and includes documentation.
My winning formula:
- Clean, well-commented code
- README with setup instructions
- Example outputs or screenshots
- Tests (even when not required)
4. Comment Before You Start
Some platforms require /attempt or /try commands. Even when they don't, a quick comment showing your approach prevents duplicate work.
5. Be Transparent About AI
If you use AI tools, say so. Nobody cares — they care that the code works.
The Math
I submitted 5 bounty PRs in 24 hours totaling $575 potential. Even at 40% merge rate, that's $230 for a day's work. Bounty hunting is a numbers game amplified by skill.
Get Started
- Star the awesome-bounties repo for updated lists
- Search GitHub with the queries above
- Pick an issue matching your skills
- Build something great, submit the PR
- Move to the next one while waiting
Every merged PR = portfolio piece + GitHub contribution + income. Triple value.
I also build free productivity tools and AI prompt packs when I'm not hunting bounties.
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