firsttimers

Firsttimers is a term used across different domains to refer to people who are experiencing a particular activity, process, or context for the first time, as well as to programs designed to include or assist such newcomers. The concept is informal and pragmatic, focused on easing entry and helping beginners participate.

In technology and open-source culture, firsttimers are often encouraged to contribute through initiatives that label tasks as firsttimers-only or good first issue. These efforts aim to reduce barriers to entry by offering clear, self-contained tasks and providing mentoring or onboarding resources to help novices gain confidence and learn collaborative workflows.

In event planning and communities, firsttimers describe attendees who are new to an event, club, or conference. Organizers frequently implement welcome tracks, buddy systems, or orientation sessions to improve comfort, explain norms, and facilitate networking, with the goal of increasing retention and long-term participation.

Other uses appear in education and training contexts, where firsttimers denotes students or participants new to a subject, and in tourism or hospitality programs designed to help first-time visitors adapt to a location or activity. The term emphasizes a user’s initial exposure rather than a fixed status, applying across industries, hobbies, and disciplines to highlight onboarding and inclusive participation.

See also: first-timers, beginners, onboarding, good first issue, newcomers.