Enhance the urllib3 developer experience

[shadycuz]

Context

I would like to make it easier for people to contribute to urlib3.

I would like to start with the following:

• Add a contributors guide to the repository
• Add a vscode devcontainer to be able to run most of the checks that we do in GitHub actions. That means being able to do the following:
  • Install the correct python versions
  • Install and setup pre-commit
  • Install and configure nox
• Add vscode settings to the repository. This will allow vscode users to have code formatting, linting and import sorting while they are writing code. This is a nicer experience than writing a bunch of code, trying to commit and having pre-commit reject it.

I already have completed some of this work for when I submitted #2649, I just need to clean it up and submit a PR.

I found getting started with contributing to urllib3 was harder than my usual experience with open-source projects and I think lowering the barrier to entry would be impactful for this project.

I know lots of these features are specific to vscode, but they would not hinder non-vscode users from contributing. I think it would still help non-vscode users because we can point them to the vscode settings in this repo that show what tooling is being used and with what settings. They can use that as a reference to set up their preferred editor/IDE. I will also make sure to have something in the contributing guide for non-vscode users.

Alternatives

I think we can do nothing but I know urllib3 is trying to attract contributors.

Contribution

I have everything ready to go. Just need to clean up some stuff.

[sethmlarson]

Still interested in bolstering our contributors guide, would love to see more there.

[sethmlarson]

Since this hasn't moved and the content is mostly generic instead of specific improvements to the contributors guide I think I'm going to close this one.