Attendee
COSCUP is different from other conferences because it is a community-driven event, organized by the open-source community. The conference features community tracks, workshops, BoFs, and more. Starting from 2020, COSCUP no longer requires registration or ticket purchase to participate. This change also gradually extends the "open-source spirit" from programming to other fields such as "design," "policy," "education," etc., providing a platform for practical sharing in various domains.
Due to this open format, first-time attendees of COSCUP are often overwhelmed by the plethora of session tracks. As an attendee, how should you participate in COSCUP? Here is a simple guide to help you have a unique and enriching experience over the two days of the conference.
How to Get to COSCUP
Recommended routes to NTUST:
Venue
COSCUP 2025 will mainly be held across three buildings. In addition to the opening and closing ceremonies, RB will also host related sessions. TR (2nd to 5th floors) and AU will serve as event venues featuring session tracks, community booths, massage stations, volunteer homecoming, childcare services, nitrogen coffee booths, and more.
The three venues are connected via the basketball court, tennis court, and Turtle Pond. If you get lost, please follow the signs along the way or ask one of our volunteers for assistance.
Conference Information
- For detailed maps and venue information, please refer to the official website: "Venue Map", which includes information about session rooms, community booths, and more.
Schedule
COSCUP features open-source topics and sessions hosted by the open-source community. Therefore, at any given time, there are over 20 tracks running simultaneously. It's recommended to spend some time before the event browsing through the conference schedule and noting down the sessions that interest you.
We’ve also curated a list of English-only sessions and program highlights for you.
Our official schedule is best viewed on a wide screen. You’ll find more session tracks listed on the right side, so be sure to scroll over and check them out.
BoF
What is a BoF? Birds of a Feather is a phrase originating from the proverb "Birds of a feather flock together," meaning "people of similar interests tend to group together." A BoF is an informal discussion meeting format that allows people with similar interests or professional backgrounds to gather during a conference, share experiences, and exchange insights. It enables participants to freely discuss various topics with others who share similar interests, characteristics, or backgrounds.
You can register the BoF activity you want to initiate in this document. Examples include: "Giveaways Exchange: I have some giveaways from other conferences that I'd like to swap with others!" or "PGP Key-signing Party" (though, is anyone still using PGP these days?).
BoF Participation GuidelinesHacking Corner
What is Hacking Corner？
Hacking Corner is an open space at the venue (formerly known as Hacking Room) where attendees can spontaneously gather for co-creation, development, technical discussions, and other informal activities. Each spot accommodates around 10 people and is available for free use without prior reservation.
How to use Hacking Corner？
- Location：TR309 / TR409 Corridor、AU lounge（August 9-10）
- No reservation required: available on a first-come, first-served basis
- Multiple discussions may take place at the same time, please be respectful of others
- Suitable for activities such as collaborative programming, discussions, and reviewing open-source code together
How to Find or Promote Activities at Hacking Corner?
- You can promote or check activities anytime on the digital bulletin board
- Use the hashtags #COSCUP or #COSCUP2025 on social media to reach more people
Lightening Talk
Share any topic, project, or even a moment of meditation in just 3 minutes!? When your time is up, we’ll cut off your screen and invite the audience to give a round of applause— not to rush you (X) but to cheer you on (O) 👏👏👏
- Sign-up period: August 9, 10:00 AM – August 10, 12:00 PM
- Sign-up location: TR 2F Information Desk
- Session time: August 10, 16:15 PM – 17:00 PM at RB105
Attendee Services
In addition to our sessions, COSCUP also provides services to help participants feel at ease. Whether you're traveling from afar or joining us after a busy workweek, we hope COSCUP can be a space for you to recharge.
Pre-Party: Join us on Friday, August 8 at 18:15 PM at Hua Shan Ding Bistro for drinks and chats about open source. Admission is free. Drink passes are also available for purchase to help us cover the venue cost.
Pause Room: Located in room TR 413-2, this cozy hideout is your go-to for relaxation. It includes our massage station, childcare service, and mats where you can rest freely.
Massage Station: Relax and relieve your accumulated fatigue at the massage station~ On-site donations to support the Eden Foundation are welcome.
Hours: August 9–10, 10:00–16:00
Childcare Service: Let professional caregivers take care of your little ones so you can focus on the event. Happy kids, happy adults! (Childcare services are available in Mandarin only.)
Hours: August 9, 09:00–17:00 & August 10, 09:00–15:30
Nitro Coffee Booth: Grab a cup of coffee at the TR 1F booth and fuel up for the day’s sessions!
Hours: August 9, 09:00–16:30 & August 10, 09:00–15:30
Mindfulness Workshop: Cultivate inner peace and self-awareness through mindful rituals.
For more information on inclusive services and emergency support, please refer to the Inclusive Participation Guide.
20th Anniversary Events
Volunteer Homecoming
If you’re a former volunteer, join us for Volunteer Homecoming! You might run into old teammates, those who never left, and enjoy free nitro coffee vouchers along with Booth Reward Activity points of appreciation. Come back and hang out with us!
- Time: August 9, 14:00–16:00
- Location: AU Lounge
Codepecker’s Growth Wall, COSCUP 20-Year Retrospective, Wishing Lanterns, and Codepecker Shrine
This year, we’ve prepared a wall of Codepecker’s growth photos and even built a mini shrine to the “Bug Pecking God.” If you’re stuck with an unfixable bug, come make a wish and pay your respects!
In the same space, you’ll also find our COSCUP Wishing Lantern board and a 20-year retrospective of COSCUP. Don’t miss it!
- Time: August 9-10, 10:00–16:00
- Location: RB 105 Lobby
Former General Chairs Forum
We’ve gathered several former general chairs to chat about COSCUP’s past, present, and future. If you’re curious about what COSCUP used to be like and where it’s heading, you won’t want to miss this forum!
- Time: August 10, 15:00–16:00
- Location: RB 105
One-Day Volunteer
Every year during the volunteer recruitment for the conference, some enthusiasts are unable to join or fully participate in the preparation process. Therefore, COSCUP has created the "One-Day Volunteer" initiative. This program allows volunteers who are passionate about contributing to the event to still have an opportunity to join us and make a difference during the two-day conference.
In addition to our core preparation team, we offer the "One-Day Volunteer" service mechanism. This is perfect for those who want to gain more insights into how COSCUP organizes its annual conference and provides services to the community and attendees. Roll up your sleeves and join us!
You can review the available positions and see how you can participate. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the task owner or visit the TR 2F Information Desk on the event day for more details.
Join Us! "One-Day Volunteer"Individual Supporter Program
COSCUP is entirely organized by volunteers and offers free admission to everyone without selling tickets. For the past 20 years, COSCUP has always been a conference built by the community, for the community.
To keep this open source stage going and ensure open exchange continues, we sincerely invite you to become an individual supporter of COSCUP. Every contribution helps build the next COSCUP—and the one after that!
Fuel COSCUP TogetherProfessional Portrait
The Professional Portrait Photography service was first introduced in 2023. The Documentation Team selects a classroom to set up a professional photo studio for taking individual portrait. If you want your profile picture on job sites, personal websites, or social media to reflect your involvement in open source and convey a professional image, you can utilize the "Professional Portrait Photography" service.
Feel free to take advantage of this service to leave a lasting professional impression!
Arrive Early
- Open hour: August 09-10, 10:00–16:00
- This service is free of charge. Please arrive early to make a reservation or queue on-site. The photo studio is located at
TR-413-1. - If you hold a valid OSCVPass, you can claim a voucher for a printed portrait at
TR-413-2.
Taiwan Food Guide
This year at COSCUP, we've gathered a list of the food stalls currently open at the First Student Cafeteria of the Student Center. We hope that as you enter the NTUST campus to attend COSCUP, you'll also get to enjoy the fun of having student meals again.
We also found some good content that we hope will make your visit special, especially if you're coming from abroad to attend COSCUP!
- Enjoy The Local Delights and Diverse Global Cuisines - WordCamp Asia 2024
- Taiwan Tourism Administration, MOTC
Attendee Survey
Fill out the Attendee Survey and help us better understand the pattern of COSCUP attendees.
Let us know what you think — together we can make COSCUP even better!
Booth Reward Activity
- Complete the Attendee Survey and install the OPass App to collect points and redeem exclusive gifts at the Souvenir Booth.
- Souvenir Booth: Open daily 10:00–17:15 at RB-105 Lobby. Visit us for a variety of practical keepsakes and various COSCUP T-shirts!
This guide is inspired by [“COSCUP Volunteer Service System | How to Participate & Prepare for COSCUP”] (CC BY 4.0, COSCUP Volunteer; Git commit 94ca882, contributor Toomore). It is collaboratively produced by the COSCUP 2025 Volunteers and released under the CC BY 4.0 license.