docs: improve onboarding for first-time contributors

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -54,3 +54,17 @@ Make sure to use conventional commit structure as follows:
 ```
 
 Know more about Conventional Commits [here](https://www.conventionalcommits.org/en/v1.0.0/).
+
+### First-Time Contributor Workflow
+
+If you are new to open source or contributing to Resonate, follow these steps:
+
+1. Fork the repository on GitHub
+2. Clone your fork locally
+3. Create a new branch from the `dev` branch
+4. Make your changes (documentation, fixes, or improvements)
+5. Commit your changes with a clear message
+6. Push your branch to your fork
+7. Open a Pull Request targeting the `dev` branch
+
+If you are unsure about an issue, feel free to open a discussion or issue before starting.

ONBOARDING.md

@@ -4,6 +4,18 @@ Client side set up is straight forward and standard, i.e clone the repo [Resonte
 
 Please strictly stick to the guide do not go off installing stuff on your own
 
+## Quick Start for First-Time Contributors (Without Full Backend)
+
+If you are a first-time contributor or GSoC aspirant, you do **not** need to set up the complete backend environment to start contributing.
+
+You can begin by:
+- Exploring the Flutter codebase (screens, controllers, routes, and UI)
+- Reading documentation files like README.md, CONTRIBUTING.md, and ONBOARDING.md
+- Running `flutter pub get` to understand dependencies
+- Reporting build issues, documentation gaps, or UI inconsistencies
+
+Backend setup (Appwrite, LiveKit, Meilisearch) is only required for contributors working on backend-dependent features. New contributors are encouraged to start small and gradually move to advanced areas.
+
 > #### **Setting up Firebase for FCM**
 > To ensure that new contributors do not have to setup firebase projects, all Firebase functionality (Only used for Notifications via FCM) has been disabled in the application. To enable this functionality (if you want to test notifications), setup a project on firebase, configure Resonate to use your project using this [guide](https://firebase.google.com/docs/flutter/setup) and uncomment the Firebase and FCM specific code in the files: ```main.dart , auth_state_controller.dart, and upcomming_rooms_controller.dart ``` Also, in the [Resonate Backend Repo](https://github.com/AOSSIE-Org/Resonate-Backend), uncomment the FCM and Firebase code in the `Upcoming Rooms Time Checker Function` and add your google-services.json in the folder for that function before setting up the localhost backend. 
 <br/>

README.md

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ With social voice platforms like Spotify, Clubhouse, and Twitter Spaces experien
 1. Real-time Audio Communication by joining rooms and talking to people.
 2. Ability to create rooms and moderate speakers and events.
 3. Create Scheduled Rooms and notify subscribers as reminders to join
-4. Listen to and Stories as chapters with synced lyrics, browse through entire catalog of stories following your favourate creators and waiting for their latest chapter/story releases. Post your own stories having chapters. (work in progess)
+4. Listen to and Stories as chapters with synced lyrics, browse through entire catalog of stories following your favorite creators and waiting for their latest chapter/story releases. Post your own stories having chapters. (work in progress)
 5. Pair chatting to enable users to find random partners to talk to in the app.
 6. Friend People/Profiles enabling your self to talk on voice calls/realtime messaging with them (coming soon)