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The original was posted on /r/opensource by /u/majesticace4 on 2025-10-01 12:32:14+00:00.
I maintain a small open source project and I’ve noticed a pattern that picks up every year around this time. With Hacktoberfest just around the corner, people start creating pull requests for issues that were never assigned to them.
Sometimes it’s harmless, like fixing typos or updating docs. Other times it means duplicate work, half-finished changes, or PRs that don’t align with the direction of the project at all. It can get overwhelming to review and close these while also keeping the project moving forward.
I know contributors mean well, but as a maintainer it’s hard to balance being welcoming with not wasting everyone’s time.
Curious to hear from other maintainers: how do you handle unsolicited or unassigned PRs, especially when Hacktoberfest kicks off?