Getting Started

• Follow the instructions here to get the Thunderbird source and setup a simple build.

• Then, read this.

Hacking Thunderbird with an IDE

• If you are developing on Windows and plan to use Visual Studio, follow the instructions here to setup a Visual C++ project for Thunderbird and configuring the project for debugging.

• If you plan to use Eclipse on either Windows or Linux, follow these steps:

1. Download and install Eclipse.
2. Install the Mercurial Eclipse plugin from here.
3. Then, in Eclipse, select File - Import - Mercurial - Clone repository using Mercurial.
4a. Enter "http://hg.mozilla.org/comm-central/" for Repository location URL.
4b. Leave the Username and Password fields blank under "Authentication".
4c. Under "Clone destination", specify where you want Mercurial to clone the repository to on your computer.
4d. Leave the "Options" as they are.
4e. Click "Next" and follow the instructions to complete the process.
5. Follow the rest of the instructions here after the "hg clone http://hg.mozilla.org/comm-central/" line.

Hacking Thunderbird

• Read about our coding style here.

• Patches:

1. You might find this useful.
2a. If you are using Eclipse with the Mercurial Eclipse plugin, you can also create a patch by right-clicking on the project in the "Package Explorer" and selecting Team - Export Patch.
2b. Enter a valid path to save the patch to on your computer and select the files you want to include in your patch.
2c. Click "Next" and select "Git extended diff format" under "Options for export".

• Links I found useful:

* Observer Notifications

• Writing tests:

* Thunderbird Unit Test Ideas
* Thunderbird MozMill Testing
* Tutorial: Introduction to Mozmill

Where to get help

• IRC

* Server: irc.mozilla.org
* Channels: #education, #maildev