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To contribute to WikiEduDashboard, start with the project’s official setup guide and use its automated installer if your operating system is supported. The project is a Ruby on Rails application with a React-and-Redux front end; a minimal setup can launch it locally, but testing and some features require additional services and tools.
What you are setting up
WikiEduDashboard is a Wiki Education Foundation application for Wikipedia courses, edit-a-thons, and other editing programs. Instructors and program leaders create course or campaign pages, participants join them, and the Dashboard tracks editing activity and related article information. The code supports the Wiki Education Dashboard at dashboard.wikiedu.org, used primarily for higher education programs in the United States and Canada, as well as the Wikimedia Programs & Events Dashboard at outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org, which serves global Wikimedia community programs. The official repository describes a Ruby on Rails backend, Sidekiq background jobs, a front end built mostly with React and Redux alongside some Haml-rendered Ruby templates, and RSpec tests that include browser-based feature specs.
Choose an installation route
| Route | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Automated setup | Contributors on a supported operating system who want the project script to install and configure prerequisites. | Run python3 setup.py and respond to its prompts. The project guide lists Debian-based systems, Fedora, and macOS as supported. Windows contributors should use Ubuntu under WSL 2. |
| Manual quick start | Developers comfortable with Rails who want a basic local app environment or need more control over installation. | Install dependencies and configure the app and database yourself. This route does not include all requirements for tests and features. |
| Full development environment | Contributors who need broader test coverage, background jobs, document-related features, or browser-based feature specs. | Install the additional services and tools required by the work you plan to do, then configure both development and test databases. |
Runtime requirements can change. Before installing anything, check the current setup guide for the versions it lists.
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The setup guide lists Git, Node 14 or newer, Python 3.5 or newer, Ruby 3.4.8, and apt on Debian or Homebrew on macOS among the script prerequisites. Its operating-system coverage includes Debian-based systems, Fedora, and macOS. For Windows, the project points contributors to Ubuntu using WSL 2 rather than a native Windows Ruby installation.
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Clone the WikiEduDashboard repository using Git.
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Change into the cloned repository directory.
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Run
python3 setup.py. -
Answer the installer’s prompts, including root or MySQL passwords if requested, then allow the script to finish.
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If setup fails, inspect
setup/log.txt. The setup guide directs users to report errors in the linked issue or ask in the project’s Slack.
The guide also documents fallback paths for unsupported operating systems, custom database configuration, MySQL password problems, and Windows RUNAS ERROR. Depending on the failure, it suggests a system-specific setup script or manual installation, configuring config/database.yml from the example file, verifying credentials before retrying, or using an administrator command prompt for the Windows batch script. Follow the relevant troubleshooting section rather than mixing these fixes indiscriminately.
Set up a basic app manually
The manual quick start is aimed at developers already comfortable with Rails. It can get the application running, but the abbreviated route omits the test database and grants required by the full test workflow.
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Fork and clone the repository, then open its directory.
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Install Ruby dependencies with
bundle install. -
Copy
config/application.example.ymltoconfig/application.yml, and copyconfig/database.example.ymltoconfig/database.yml. -
Configure a MySQL-compatible database using the project’s settings. It must use the
utf8mb4character set andutf8mb4_unicode_cicollation to match the project schema. Do not reuse example credentials outside a development environment.Recommended: Crashes or Glitches? A Free Driver Scan Usually Finds the Culprit →Recommended: PC Feels Slow? A Free Scan Shows What's Dragging Windows Down →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Run database migrations with
rake db:migrate. -
Install JavaScript dependencies with
yarn. -
Start the asset build and watcher with
yarn start, or create a production asset build withyarn build. -
Start the Rails app with
guardorrails s, then open http://localhost:3000.
Add dependencies for the work you plan to do
A running Rails page is not proof that every feature or test is ready. The detailed setup guide describes these additional components and why they matter:
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MariaDB or MySQL: the application database. The project schema expects the
utf8mb4character set andutf8mb4_unicode_cicollation.Free tools Windows power users keep installed
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Redis: supports Sidekiq background jobs. Some functions, especially those involving Wikipedia edits, will not work while Redis is down.
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Memcached: used for the development cache. Tests override that cache with a null store.
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Pandoc: included among the full development requirements for document-related functionality.
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Chrome or Chromium: needed for Selenium-driven browser feature specs. The guide says Selenium Manager downloads a matching driver on first use.
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OAuth configuration: optional unless you are working on WikiEdits features.
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Ruby gems and Yarn/Node modules: application dependencies for the Rails backend and JavaScript front end.
For the fuller local workflow, migrate both development and test databases. You can optionally populate example courses with rake dev:populate. Start Redis, then use guard on macOS or Debian, or rails s on Windows under the project’s recommended WSL 2 setup. Run yarn start to build and watch JavaScript and styles; use yarn build when tests need on-disk assets.
Optional React hot reloading
For React-heavy pages, the setup guide documents optional hot module replacement. Set hot_loading: true in config/application.yml, then run yarn hot. Tests that depend on assets written to disk still need a build with yarn build.
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The project’s contribution guide recommends Ubuntu under WSL 2 for Windows contributors; it specifically advises against RubyInstaller or RailsInstaller. Follow the setup guide’s Windows instructions within that environment, and use its troubleshooting guidance if the batch script reports RUNAS ERROR.
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Move from local setup to an open-source contribution
The contribution guide recommends following the setup documentation and trying the automated script first. If you are forced to use a manual setup, report the problem so the project can learn where onboarding needs improvement. The repository describes the project as welcoming contributions and aiming to be newbie-friendly.
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Explore the project’s issue list and select an issue that fits your interests and skills.
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Comment on the issue to let others know you plan to work on it. The project does not assign issues, and its guide asks contributors to work on one issue at a time.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
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Make your changes and open a pull request when you are ready to share them.
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Mark the pull request as a draft if it is not ready to merge. When requested changes are complete and it is ready for review, mark it ready for review.
The contribution guide identifies Sage Ross (ragesoss) as a contact and says Slack is the main collaboration venue. It directs interested contributors to ask Sage at sage@wikiedu.org for an invite.
When setup does not work
Use the official documentation as the troubleshooting reference because the right fix depends on your operating system and the error. Start by checking setup/log.txt after an automated failure, then follow the corresponding section in the setup guide. For manual database problems, compare your local database settings with the example configuration, confirm the credentials, and verify the required charset and collation. If the issue remains, the project points contributors to its issue tracker and Slack for help.
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