Docs: Add a Contributor Ladder defining community roles and progression

[rahulshendre]

Add a Contributor Ladder to the PipeCD community documentation that clearly outlines contributor roles, expectations, and paths for progression (e.g., contributor → reviewer → maintainer).

Why is this needed

A contributor ladder helps new and existing contributors understand:

• How to get involved
• What responsibilities come with each role
• How progression and recognition work in the project

This improves transparency, onboarding, and long-term contributor engagement.

References / Inspiration

• Gateway API – Contributor Ladder
• Cilium – Contributor Ladder
• OpenFeature – Contributor Ladder
• KubeStellar – Ladder
• OpenSSF – Contributor Ladder Glossary

[rahulshendre]

cc @eeshaanSA @khanhtc1202

[Ayushmore1214]

@rahulshendre Lets make the issue title more contextful

[rahulshendre]

@Ayushmore1214, yes we should
Could you propose a more context-rich title that you think would fit best? I’m happy to update it based on your suggestion.

[Ayushmore1214]

docs: Add a Contributor Ladder defining community roles and progression

[rahulshendre]

great, thanks @Ayushmore1214

[riahtgl]

Hi @rahulshendre and @Ayushmore1214, are you both working on this? Or is it open to be assigned to someone else?

[rahulshendre]

@riahtgl, none of us right now
We need to discuss the approach for this with the maintainers as well as the community before starting

I will add it in the agenda for the next bi-weekly meeting

[riahtgl]

@riahtgl, none of us right now We need to discuss the approach for this with the maintainers as well as the community before starting

I will add it in the agenda for the next bi-weekly meeting

I've added it, Thanks!

[abdollahShahid]

Hi @rahulshendre @Ayushmore1214
I saw the earlier note that the approach for this issue needed discussion with maintainers and the community before starting. Has there been any update or agreed direction from that discussion? I’d like to work on this if it’s ready to move forward.

[rahulshendre]

Hey @abdollahShahid, this is planned as part of the LFX Mentorship (Term 2) #6679, so we’re waiting on that for direction.

In the meantime, feel free to explore and contribute to other issues.