Drupal Community
Bubble
Professional
The Drupal Community is a global tribe of developers, site builders, themers, and contributors who collaborate to build and maintain th...Show more
Drupal Community
Bubble
Professional
The Drupal Community is a global tribe of developers, site builders, themers, and contributors who collaborate to build and maintain the open source Drupal content management system (CMS). Members engage in active development, event organization, and peer support, united by shared practices and specialized jargon.
Statistics
Estimated Global Reach
1.3M
Popularity
Medium
Regional Hotspot
Worldwide
Discover Related Bubbles
General Q&A
The Drupal Community is a global network of Drupalists collaborating to develop, maintain, and evolve the Drupal content management system through open-source principles and peer-driven innovation.
Community Q&A
The Drupal Community is a global network of Drupalists collaborating to develop, maintain, and evolve the Drupal content management system through open-source principles and peer-driven innovation.
People interact via Drupal.org, in issue queues, at events like DrupalCon and DrupalCamps, and in sprints or online chats such as Slack and local meetups.
Community Q&A
Summary
Key Findings
Contribution Hierarchy
Community DynamicsWithin Drupal, status is earned through contribution, especially via core patches and leadership in issue queues, creating an informal hierarchy respected more than formal roles or job titles.
Event Rituals
Social NormsDrupal events like DrupalCon and sprints act as social glue, essential for trust-building and mentorship beyond coding, embedding newcomers into the community identity.
Open Governance Tension
Insider PerspectiveInsiders deeply value open, consensus-driven governance but negotiate tension between rapid innovation and maintaining backward compatibility, a balance outsiders rarely grasp.
Jargon Identity
Identity MarkersUsing terms like 'hooks,' 'drush,' and version codes (D8, D9) signals insider status, immediately distinguishing Drupalists from general web developers and reinforcing community boundaries.
Sub Groups
Core Developers
Contributors focused on Drupal's core codebase and major modules.
Site Builders & Themers
Members specializing in site assembly, theming, and front-end customization.
Event Organizers
Volunteers and professionals who coordinate DrupalCons, camps, and local meetups.
Support & Documentation Contributors
Community members dedicated to user support, documentation, and onboarding new users.
Statistics and Demographics
Platform Distribution
1 / 3
GitHub
35%GitHub is the primary platform for Drupal's code collaboration, issue tracking, and open source development, making it central to the community's technical engagement.
Conferences & Trade Shows
15%DrupalCon and regional Drupal camps are major offline events where the community gathers for networking, learning, and collaboration.
Professional Settingsoffline
Reddit
10%Reddit hosts active Drupal-focused subreddits where users discuss development, troubleshooting, and community news.
Gender & Age Distribution
Ideological & Social Divides
Community Development
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Insider Knowledge
Terminology
Greeting Salutations
Example Conversation
Insider
Have you run drush today?
Outsider
Huh? What does that mean?
Insider
Drush is our command-line tool for Drupal. Asking this is like checking if you've used your best tool to make your day’s work easier.
Outsider
Ah, that makes sense! Sounds pretty useful.
Cultural Context
This greeting reflects how integral Drush is to daily Drupal workflows, symbolizing efficiency and insider knowledge.
Inside Jokes
Why did the Drupal site builder bring a ladder? To get over the 'block' placement challenges!
Blocks are modular pieces of content in Drupal layouts; arranging them can sometimes be tricky, so this pun plays on 'block' both literally and figuratively.
'Patch it till you make it.'
A humorous twist on 'fake it till you make it,' reflecting the community's ethos that contributing patches is a pathway to mastery and recognition.
Facts & Sayings
„Patch it up!“
A call to action encouraging members to contribute patches (code or documentation fixes) to improve Drupal, highlighting the community's collaborative spirit.
„Don't reinvent the wheel, use a distribution.“
A reminder that Drupal distributions provide pre-packaged functionality to avoid building from scratch, emphasizing efficiency and community reuse.
„Run drush!“
An endorsement or suggestion to use Drush (Drupal Shell), a command-line tool that makes repetitive Drupal tasks faster, showing insider familiarity with efficient workflows.
„Let's get this sprint started.“
Refers to beginning a code sprint event where contributors focus on intense collaborative development, reflecting a key community ritual.
Unwritten Rules
Always credit original issue or patch authors when working on improvements.
This respects contributors’ efforts and maintains community goodwill and transparency.
Be patient and respectful in issue queues and code reviews.
Newcomers especially should expect constructive feedback delivered kindly to foster learning and collaboration.
Use the issue queue to discuss bugs or features, not social media.
Keeping conversations on drupal.org ensures clear documentation and helps community consensus.
Don’t rush a patch; thorough testing is expected before submission.
Quality control is a community value that prevents regression and ensures stability.
Fictional Portraits
1 / 3
Alejandro, 29
Web DevelopermaleA mid-level developer from Mexico City who transitioned from WordPress to Drupal and contributes to modules focusing on multilingual support.
CollaborationTransparencyInclusivity
Motivations
- Contributing to open source to build reputation
- Learning advanced Drupal development techniques
- Networking with global Drupal professionals
Challenges
- Keeping up with frequent Drupal core updates
- Balancing contribution time with full-time job responsibilities
- Navigating complex community governance
Platforms
Drupal Slack channelsLocal Drupal meetupsDrupal.org issue queues
HooksEntitiesTwig templatingRTBCPatch
Insights & Background
Historical Timeline
Main Subjects
Technologies
Drupal Core
The foundational PHP-based CMS engine that provides content types, user management, and APIs.↗
CorePHPLTS
Drush
Command-line shell and scripting interface for managing Drupal sites and automating common tasks.↗
CLIAutomationContributor Favorite
Composer
Dependency manager adopted to install Drupal core and modules, enforce semantic versioning, and manage libraries.
Package ManagementWorkflowPHP
Twig
The templating engine used by Drupal for secure, theme-level rendering of HTML.
ThemingSecurityRender API
Views Module
Originally a contributed module, now part of core—provides a flexible query builder for listing and filtering content.
Data ModelingUIQuery Builder
Configuration Management (CMI)
Core subsystem that exports/imports site configuration as YAML, enabling version control and pipeline integration.
YAMLGitOpsDeployment
Drupal Console
Interactive CLI tool for generating boilerplate code, debugging, and scaffolding modules.
CLIScaffoldingCodegen
Docker for Drupal
Containerized local development environments optimized for Drupal’s stack and workflows.
ContainerizationDevEnvCross-Platform
Twig Tweak
Contrib helper module that extends Twig with additional functions and filters favored by themers.
ThemingHelpersContrib
WebProfundis Xdebug Helper
Integration for PHP Xdebug profiling in Drupal local development setups.
DebuggingProfilingDevTools
1 / 3
1 / 3
Technologies
Drupal Core
The foundational PHP-based CMS engine that provides content types, user management, and APIs.↗
CorePHPLTS
Drush
Command-line shell and scripting interface for managing Drupal sites and automating common tasks.↗
CLIAutomationContributor Favorite
Composer
Dependency manager adopted to install Drupal core and modules, enforce semantic versioning, and manage libraries.
Package ManagementWorkflowPHP
Twig
The templating engine used by Drupal for secure, theme-level rendering of HTML.
ThemingSecurityRender API
Views Module
Originally a contributed module, now part of core—provides a flexible query builder for listing and filtering content.
Data ModelingUIQuery Builder
Configuration Management (CMI)
Core subsystem that exports/imports site configuration as YAML, enabling version control and pipeline integration.
YAMLGitOpsDeployment
Drupal Console
Interactive CLI tool for generating boilerplate code, debugging, and scaffolding modules.
CLIScaffoldingCodegen
Docker for Drupal
Containerized local development environments optimized for Drupal’s stack and workflows.
ContainerizationDevEnvCross-Platform
Twig Tweak
Contrib helper module that extends Twig with additional functions and filters favored by themers.
ThemingHelpersContrib
WebProfundis Xdebug Helper
Integration for PHP Xdebug profiling in Drupal local development setups.
DebuggingProfilingDevTools
First Steps & Resources
Get-Started Steps
Time to basics: 2-4 weeks
1
Install Drupal Locally
2-3 hoursBasic
Summary: Set up Drupal on your computer to explore its interface and basic features firsthand.
Details: Installing Drupal locally is a foundational step for anyone entering the Drupal Community. This involves downloading the latest Drupal release and setting it up on your computer using a local web server environment (such as XAMPP, MAMP, or similar). The process helps you understand Drupal’s installation requirements, directory structure, and initial configuration. Beginners often struggle with configuring the local server or database, but following step-by-step guides and troubleshooting common errors (like permissions or PHP version mismatches) builds crucial problem-solving skills. This hands-on experience is essential for grasping Drupal’s modular architecture and content management workflows. You’ll learn how to access the admin dashboard, create basic content, and experiment with core features. Progress can be measured by successfully installing Drupal, logging in as an admin, and navigating the backend. This step lays the groundwork for all future learning and is highly valued by community members as a rite of passage.
2
Join Official Community Forums
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Register and introduce yourself on Drupal’s main forums to connect with other members and ask beginner questions.
Details: Becoming active in Drupal’s official community forums is a key way to immerse yourself in the culture and collaborative spirit of the bubble. Start by creating an account on the main Drupal community site and browsing the forums dedicated to newcomers. Introduce yourself in the appropriate section, share your background, and express your learning goals. Don’t hesitate to ask basic questions—Drupal’s community values curiosity and mutual support. Common beginner challenges include feeling intimidated by technical jargon or fearing negative responses, but the Drupal forums are known for their welcoming tone. Reading through existing threads helps you pick up community norms and frequently asked questions. Engaging in discussions, even as a reader, familiarizes you with real-world issues and solutions. Progress is evident when you receive replies, participate in threads, and start recognizing recurring contributors. This step is crucial for building your support network and learning how to seek help effectively.
3
Complete a Beginner Tutorial
3-5 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Follow a step-by-step Drupal tutorial to build a simple site, learning core concepts like content types and modules.
Details: Working through a structured beginner tutorial is one of the most effective ways to gain practical Drupal skills. Choose a reputable, up-to-date tutorial aimed at absolute beginners. The tutorial should guide you through building a basic site—creating content types, adding fields, enabling modules, and configuring menus. This hands-on approach demystifies Drupal’s terminology and workflows. Beginners often get stuck on understanding the difference between nodes, content types, and blocks, or on module installation. Take your time with each step, and don’t hesitate to revisit sections or consult the forums if you’re confused. Use the tutorial as a sandbox: experiment with different settings and observe their effects. Completing a tutorial gives you a tangible sense of achievement and a working site to showcase. Evaluate your progress by successfully replicating the tutorial’s outcome and being able to explain the steps you took. This experience is a core expectation for new community members.
1
Install Drupal Locally
2-3 hoursBasic
Summary: Set up Drupal on your computer to explore its interface and basic features firsthand.
Details: Installing Drupal locally is a foundational step for anyone entering the Drupal Community. This involves downloading the latest Drupal release and setting it up on your computer using a local web server environment (such as XAMPP, MAMP, or similar). The process helps you understand Drupal’s installation requirements, directory structure, and initial configuration. Beginners often struggle with configuring the local server or database, but following step-by-step guides and troubleshooting common errors (like permissions or PHP version mismatches) builds crucial problem-solving skills. This hands-on experience is essential for grasping Drupal’s modular architecture and content management workflows. You’ll learn how to access the admin dashboard, create basic content, and experiment with core features. Progress can be measured by successfully installing Drupal, logging in as an admin, and navigating the backend. This step lays the groundwork for all future learning and is highly valued by community members as a rite of passage.
2
Join Official Community Forums
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Register and introduce yourself on Drupal’s main forums to connect with other members and ask beginner questions.
Details: Becoming active in Drupal’s official community forums is a key way to immerse yourself in the culture and collaborative spirit of the bubble. Start by creating an account on the main Drupal community site and browsing the forums dedicated to newcomers. Introduce yourself in the appropriate section, share your background, and express your learning goals. Don’t hesitate to ask basic questions—Drupal’s community values curiosity and mutual support. Common beginner challenges include feeling intimidated by technical jargon or fearing negative responses, but the Drupal forums are known for their welcoming tone. Reading through existing threads helps you pick up community norms and frequently asked questions. Engaging in discussions, even as a reader, familiarizes you with real-world issues and solutions. Progress is evident when you receive replies, participate in threads, and start recognizing recurring contributors. This step is crucial for building your support network and learning how to seek help effectively.
3
Complete a Beginner Tutorial
3-5 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Follow a step-by-step Drupal tutorial to build a simple site, learning core concepts like content types and modules.
Details: Working through a structured beginner tutorial is one of the most effective ways to gain practical Drupal skills. Choose a reputable, up-to-date tutorial aimed at absolute beginners. The tutorial should guide you through building a basic site—creating content types, adding fields, enabling modules, and configuring menus. This hands-on approach demystifies Drupal’s terminology and workflows. Beginners often get stuck on understanding the difference between nodes, content types, and blocks, or on module installation. Take your time with each step, and don’t hesitate to revisit sections or consult the forums if you’re confused. Use the tutorial as a sandbox: experiment with different settings and observe their effects. Completing a tutorial gives you a tangible sense of achievement and a working site to showcase. Evaluate your progress by successfully replicating the tutorial’s outcome and being able to explain the steps you took. This experience is a core expectation for new community members.
4
Attend a Local Meetup or Virtual Event
2-4 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Participate in a Drupal meetup or online event to network, learn, and observe community collaboration firsthand.
Details: Drupal’s community thrives on real-time interaction, both in-person and online. Find a local Drupal meetup, user group, or virtual event (such as a webinar or open co-working session). Register in advance and review the agenda or topics. If attending in person, introduce yourself to organizers and other newcomers; if online, participate in chat or Q&A. Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything—focus on absorbing the atmosphere, listening to discussions, and noting how members collaborate. Beginners may feel shy or overwhelmed, but most events have dedicated newcomer sessions or icebreakers. Prepare a brief introduction and a question or two about your learning journey. These events are invaluable for networking, finding mentors, and discovering real-world Drupal projects. Progress is measured by making at least one new contact, asking a question, or joining a follow-up discussion. Regular event participation is a hallmark of engaged Drupal community members.
5
Explore Contribution Opportunities
3-6 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Browse Drupal’s contribution guides to learn how to help with documentation, support, or code—even as a beginner.
Details: Contributing to Drupal is a core value of the community, and there are many ways for beginners to get involved beyond coding. Start by reading the official contribution guides, which outline roles such as documentation editing, issue triage, translation, and user support. Identify a contribution area that matches your interests and skills. For example, you might help improve beginner documentation, test modules, or answer questions in support forums. Beginners often worry about making mistakes or not being technical enough, but the community encourages learning by doing and provides mentorship. Use contribution issue queues to find “novice” or “good first issue” tags. Document your process and ask for feedback from more experienced contributors. Progress is measured by making your first small contribution—such as editing a page or submitting a support answer—and receiving acknowledgment from the community. This step deepens your engagement and is highly respected within the bubble.
Welcoming Practices
„Inviting newcomers to contribute a first patch.“
Encourages new members to actively participate, which is seen as a key rite of passage and integration into the Drupal community.
„Mentor pairing during DrupalCamps and sprints.“
Experienced community members guide beginners, fostering learning, connection, and sustained involvement.
Beginner Mistakes
Submitting patches without testing or coding standards compliance.
Always run automated tests and follow Drupal coding guidelines to avoid rejection and delays.
Posting feature requests or bugs outside of the official issue queue.
Use the official Drupal.org issue queues to ensure visibility and proper tracking.
Pathway to Credibility
Tap a pathway step to view details
Submitting a well-accepted first patch.
This initial contribution proves commitment and capability, marking entry into the contributing community.
Participating regularly in code sprints and community events.
Active involvement builds relationships and reputation among peers.
Becoming a core committer or maintainer of a popular module.
Such roles recognize deep expertise and leadership, granting influence over Drupal's future.
Facts
Regional Differences
Europe
European Drupal events tend to emphasize multilingual and accessibility concerns more heavily due to diverse languages and regulations.
North America
North American Drupal community often has larger-scale DrupalCons with significant corporate sponsorship and influencer presence.
Asia
In Asia, there's growing engagement around localized Drupal distributions tailored to regional needs and emerging markets.
Misconceptions
Misconception #1
Drupal is just a tool for web developers with coding skills only.
Reality
The community includes designers, content strategists, translators, documentation writers, event organizers, and more, reflecting a diverse ecosystem.
Misconception #2
Drupal is static and doesn’t change much over time.
Reality
Drupal evolves continuously with active development, embracing modern PHP practices and new technologies through community-driven innovation.
Misconception #3
Contributing to Drupal is only about submitting code patches.
Reality
Contribution includes documentation, mentoring, event organizing, testing, translating, and helping with support forums.
Clothing & Styles
DrupalCon T-shirt
Wearing DrupalCon T-shirts signals attendance at one of the major community events and pride in being part of the global Drupal community.
Blue Drupal drop logo pin
This subtle accessory signifies membership and loyalty to the Drupal project, often worn during DrupalCamps and meetups.
