# Hi Everyone! New Backend Developer Joining & OpenMRS 3.x Environment Set Up

**URL:** <https://talk.openmrs.org/t/hi-everyone-new-backend-developer-joining-openmrs-3-x-environment-set-up/50143>\
**Category:** Development\
**Created:** [September 21, 2026, 11:29am UTC](https://talk.openmrs.org/t/hi-everyone-new-backend-developer-joining-openmrs-3-x-environment-set-up/50143 "2026-09-21T11:29:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ashini](https://talk.openmrs.org/letter_avatar/ashini/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ashini](https://talk.openmrs.org/u/ashini)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 11:29am UTC](https://talk.openmrs.org/t/hi-everyone-new-backend-developer-joining-openmrs-3-x-environment-set-up/50143/1 "2026-09-21T11:29:12Z")

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Hello OpenMRS Community! 👋

I am **Ashini** , a new Backend Developer joining the OpenMRS community. I’m excited to contribute to the project and learn from all of you!

I have successfully set up my local development environment using the **OpenMRS SDK** :

- **OpenMRS Core** : `3.0.0-SNAPSHOT`
- **Reference Application** : `3.7.1` (O3)
- **Environment** : Java 21, MySQL 8.0, running on Windows 11 with H2/MySQL database setup.

As I start my journey as an OpenMRS backend contributor, I would love some guidance on the following:

1. **Finding Introductory Issues** : What are the best places or Jira/GitHub filters to find good introductory/first-time backend issues (Java/Spring/REST/FHIR)?
2. **Staying Updated** : Where can I follow ongoing backend architecture discussions, developer updates, and squad meetings?
3. **Tips for New Developers** : Do you have any recommended tips or best practices for navigating the codebase and learning OpenMRS core architecture effectively?

Looking forward to collaborating with everyone and making my first contributions!

Best regards, **Ashini**

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**Author:** ![josephkagimu1](https://talk.openmrs.org/user_avatar/talk.openmrs.org/josephkagimu1/32/22262_2.png) [@josephkagimu1](https://talk.openmrs.org/u/josephkagimu1)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://talk.openmrs.org/t/hi-everyone-new-backend-developer-joining-openmrs-3-x-environment-set-up/50143/2 "2026-09-21T19:17:59Z")

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Welcome, @ashini👋 Great to have another backend contributor on board.

Quick pointers:

1. **Finding issues** — Search [Jira](https://openmrs.atlassian.net/issues/?jql=project%20%3D%20TRUNK%20AND%20labels%20%3D%20%22intro%22%20AND%20status%20%3D%20Open) for issues labeled intro in the TRUNK project.

2. **Staying updated** — Join the **#developers** Slack channel for architecture discussions and squad updates. The [dev forum](https://talk.openmrs.org/c/dev/8) here on Talk is also active.

3. **Codebase tips** — Start with the [OpenMRS Developer Guide](https://openmrs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/docs/pages/25476048/Developer+Documentation). The core architecture is Spring-based with a REST API layer — openmrs-core is the main repo. Look at webservices.rest package for REST controllers and api package for services. Reading existing PRs is a great way to learn conventions.

Good luck with your first contribution!

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**Author:** ![ashini](https://talk.openmrs.org/letter_avatar/ashini/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ashini](https://talk.openmrs.org/u/ashini)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 5:01am UTC](https://talk.openmrs.org/t/hi-everyone-new-backend-developer-joining-openmrs-3-x-environment-set-up/50143/3 "2026-09-29T05:01:21Z")

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Hi @josephkagimu1,

Thank you so much for the warm welcome and the helpful pointers!

I’m really excited to join the community and start contributing to `openmrs-core`. The guidance on finding `intro` issues on Jira and exploring the `api` and `webservices.rest` packages is super helpful as I get familiar with the codebase.

I’ll definitely check out the Slack channel and developer docs. Looking forward to learning from everyone and making my first contribution soon!

Best regards, Ashini