Propose a Pattern

Have an idea for a green software pattern?

We'd love to hear it. You don't need to write the full pattern yourself -- just tell us the problem you want to solve and how you'd approach it. Our team will develop it into a fully reviewed pattern for the catalogue. This usually takes around 5 minutes to complete.

What happens next

Once submitted, every pattern goes through three review stages before it's published. Here's what to expect:

1. Initial Review (up to 1 week)

A member of the team checks that your pattern is clearly written, aligns with the GSF's mission, and has enough detail to proceed. If anything needs clarifying, you'll receive direct feedback in the pull request.

2. Subject Matter Expert Review (up to 2 weeks)

An SME with relevant expertise evaluates the technical accuracy and effectiveness of the pattern. They'll check that the proposed approach would genuinely reduce software emissions and is scoped appropriately.

3. Team Consensus (2 weeks)

The Principles and Patterns Working Group reviews the pattern. Any member can raise questions or objections during this window. If consensus is reached, the pattern is approved and published.

Total timeline: approximately 5 weeks from submission to publication, assuming no major revision cycles are needed.

What if my pattern isn't accepted?

Reviewers are committed to providing clear, constructive feedback at every stage. If a pattern doesn't progress, you'll always receive an explanation — whether that's scope, duplication with an existing pattern, or a request to refine the approach. We'd rather help you develop a strong pattern than close a door without explanation.