Skip to content
BSWEN
Blog

How to Contribute to Rust for CPython: Join the Python Rust Integration Effort

Cowrie
Cowrie
Dev @ Bswen

I want to contribute to Rust for CPython. This is a historic change to Python’s internals, and I found that the team is actively looking for contributors to help shape how Rust integrates with CPython.

Direct Answer

Join the Rust for CPython Discord server and attend Monday meetings at 12:00 PM PDT. The project needs help with API design decisions, build system testing, and extension module implementation. API design discussions are tracked on GitHub under the api-design label.

Why This Matters

Rust for CPython represents a fundamental shift in Python’s development. When Rust code becomes a first-class citizen in CPython’s implementation, it opens new possibilities for performance improvements, memory safety, and better extension module development. Contributors like us get to shape the API that thousands of developers will use to write Python extensions in Rust.

Getting Started

Here’s the path to joining the effort:

Join Discord → Attend Monday Meeting → Choose Focus Area → Contribute


Detailed Flow:
[Rust for CPython Discord]
        |
        v
[Monday Meeting @ 12:00 PM PDT]
        |
        +---> API Design Review
        |       |
        |       +---> Comment on GitHub issues
        |
        +---> Build System Testing
        |       |
        |       +---> Test on different platforms
        |
        +---> Extension Module
                |
                +---> Implement internal Rust API

What You Can Do

Review and comment on API design issues. The team explicitly requests “more folks join those meetings and work with us” on API design. These decisions will affect how Rust code interacts with Python’s internals. The GitHub issues labeled api-design are the primary tracking mechanism.

Test build systems on different platforms. Rust integration requires robust build tooling. Testing on various platforms helps ensure the build system works reliably across different environments.

Help implement the internal Rust API. The team is building the internal API that CPython uses internally. This is core infrastructure that needs careful design and implementation.

Join sprint sessions at PyCon US. A sprint is planned for May 2026 focusing on the internal Rust API and extension module implementation. This is a great opportunity to work alongside core contributors.

Who Should Join

Developers familiar with both Python internals and Rust are ideal candidates. However, the team welcomes anyone willing to learn. If you have experience with either ecosystem and want to understand the other, this is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a historic Python project.

How to Start

  1. Join the Rust for CPython Discord server at https://discord.gg/2pw3YSDscP
  2. Introduce yourself in the general channels
  3. Attend a Monday meeting at 12:00 PM PDT to understand current priorities
  4. Review the API design issues on GitHub to see what needs input
  5. Pick an area that matches your skills and interests

The Rust for CPython project welcomes contributors. Start by joining Discord and attending Monday meetings to align with current development priorities. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to Python’s future while working with a collaborative team that values input from the community.

Final Words + More Resources

My intention with this article was to help others share my knowledge and experience. If you want to contact me, you can contact by email: Email me

Here are also the most important links from this article along with some further resources that will help you in this scope:

Oh, and if you found these resources useful, don’t forget to support me by starring the repo on GitHub!

Comments

Tags: