Introducing the BitDevs Playbook

For the past few years, developers and curious builders have been coming together to talk about Bitcoin; not the price, not speculation, but the technology itself.

These conversations have been technical, open, and deeply grounded in learning.

After helping to launch and support a growing number of BitDevs communities across the African continent, we are excited to share the first public release of a comprehensive guide for building and sustaining Bitcoin‑only technical communities.

The Playbook captures real experience from the ground and turns it into clear, practical guidance that others can use, adapt, and improve.

This matters now more than ever. As interest in Bitcoin development grows across the Global South, communities need structure, shared standards, and long‑term thinking to thrive. The BitDevs Playbook exists to meet that need.

Why BitDevs?

BitDevs began in New York City as a way for Bitcoin developers and researchers to regularly discuss recent technical developments, research papers, and open‑source work. Instead of talks or panels, the format emphasized discussion. Over time, this model proved powerful and spread organically to cities around the world.

What makes BitDevs special is not scale or branding, but how it strengthens local communities. Each location is independently run and shaped by its local context, but connected by shared principles. Meetups are Bitcoin‑only, technically focused, non‑commercial, and privacy‑respecting. The Socratic discussion format encourages participants to think critically, ask questions, and contribute meaningfully, regardless of seniority.

This model aligns naturally with Bitcoin’s own principles: decentralization, openness, and collaboration. By creating neutral spaces for technical discussion, BitDevs helps developers learn faster, contribute to open‑source projects with confidence, and connect their local work to the global Bitcoin ecosystem.

BitDevs Across Africa

Today, BitDevs communities are active across multiple regions of Africa, each rooted in its local context while contributing to a broader network of shared learning. Btrust supports 13 of 15 BitDevs locations across Africa, providing funding, structure, and logistical support that ensure consistency and sustainability across the network. A few others, backed by groups like Bitcoin Zambia and similar local entities, operate independently while contributing to the same shared mission.

Current and emerging BitDevs locations across Africa include Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Uyo, and Kano in Nigeria; Accra in Ghana; Cotonou in Benin; Douala in Cameroon; Gitega in Burundi; Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Johannesburg in South Africa; Kampala in Uganda; Nairobi in Kenya; Mauritius; and Zambia.

Beyond their regular monthly meetups, these BitDevs communities have become important launchpads for developer growth. Members from these groups have gone on to participate in advanced programs such as Chaincode Labs’ BOSS program and the Btrust Builders pathways, deepening their technical skills and gaining real exposure to open‑source contribution. Some have taken the next step and started careers in Bitcoin open‑source development, supported through funding from Btrust and the Human Rights Foundation.

Others have gone on to build their own Bitcoin products and projects, translating community learning into real‑world impact. In several cities, BitDevs organizers and members have also partnered with groups like Africa Free Routing to host developer bootcamps, workshops, and hands‑on training sessions.

Through these efforts, BitDevs communities have provided value well beyond the meetup format, sharing opportunities, mentorship, and ongoing support that help members grow at different stages of their Bitcoin journey.

Why the BitDevs Playbook Matters

As BitDevs locations began to grow across the continent, a pattern emerged. Many organizers were facing the same challenges; figuring out how to start, how to stay consistent, how to work with sponsors responsibly, and how to maintain quality over time. Much of the knowledge needed to do this well existed, but it lived in private conversations or individual experience.

The BitDevs Playbook exists to make that knowledge shared. It provides clarity where there was uncertainty and structure where there was guesswork.

By documenting what works, and what doesn’t, the Playbook helps communities avoid common pitfalls and focus their energy on what matters most: learning, discussion, and building strong local networks.

What Is the BitDevs Playbook?

The BitDevs Playbook v0.1.0 is the first public release of a comprehensive guide for building and sustaining Bitcoin‑only technical communities. Developed and maintained by Btrust, it brings together years of hands‑on experience supporting BitDevs locations across Africa.

The Playbook is practical by design. It doesn’t assume ideal conditions or large budgets. Instead, it walks through real scenarios organizers face and offers clear, actionable guidance. It is meant to be used, adapted, and improved, not just read once and set aside.

What the Playbook Covers

The Playbook follows the full lifecycle of a BitDevs location. It begins with how to assess local interest, form a small organizing team, and host a first meetup. It then moves into the day‑to‑day realities of running a location, including planning monthly sessions, choosing technical topics, engaging participants, and keeping clear records.

It also sets out shared standards around quality, ethics, privacy, and neutrality, helping ensure that every BitDevs location maintains the trust of its community. Importantly, the Playbook addresses harder topics as well, such as managing challenges, avoiding organizer burnout, working transparently with sponsors, and responsibly pausing or closing a location when necessary.

Throughout the document, organizers will find templates, checklists, and examples that make the guidance easy to apply in real life.

Why This Matters for Africa and the Global South

Across Africa and the wider Global South, there is no shortage of talent or interest in Bitcoin. What is often missing are consistent, long‑term spaces dedicated to deep technical learning. Many developers learn alone or online, without peers to challenge ideas, share context, or grow together.

The BitDevs Playbook is designed to change that. It lowers the barrier to starting and sustaining local technical communities by providing clear guidance, shared standards, and proven processes. Instead of relying on trial and error, organizers can build with confidence from day one.

By empowering organizers and keeping communities independent and non‑commercial, the Playbook supports long‑term skill development, local leadership, and meaningful participation in Bitcoin’s open‑source ecosystem.

How to Start a BitDevs in Your City

Starting a BitDevs doesn’t require a large budget or a big team. The Playbook shows how to begin with local interest, a small group of committed organizers, and a clear focus on Bitcoin’s technical layer.

It walks through the essentials: choosing a venue, setting expectations, curating topics, running discussions using the Socratic format, and building consistency month after month. For communities seeking support, it also explains how sponsorship can work without compromising independence or community trust.

The goal is not rapid growth, but sustainable learning.

Open Source and Community‑Driven

The BitDevs Playbook is intentionally open. It is fully open‑source and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0). This means it can be freely shared, adapted, and improved with proper attribution.

The Playbook is a living document. As organizers experiment, face new challenges, and discover better ways of working, their insights can be contributed back. Over time, this shared learning will strengthen the entire network.

Who the Playbook is For

This Playbook is for anyone involved in the BitDevs ecosystem. It is for organizers starting a new location or strengthening an existing one. It is for organizing teams and volunteers who support logistics, moderation, and communication. It is for sponsors and partners who want to support grassroots technical communities without influencing content or direction. It is also for developers and participants who want to better understand how BitDevs meetups work and how to contribute meaningfully.

Acknowledgements

The BitDevs Playbook was developed and is maintained by Stephanie Titcombe, Program & Operations Lead at Btrust, with contributions and reviews from organizers and community leaders across the BitDevs network. Their shared experiences and feedback shaped this first public release and ensured it reflects the realities of building communities across diverse contexts in Africa.

Where to Find the Playbook

The BitDevs Playbook v0.1.0 is publicly available through the official GitHub repository. The repository includes the full Playbook, along with templates, annexes, and supporting materials that organizers can use directly. It also serves as the home for updates and future releases.

Call for Contributions

This release is just the start. Organizers, participants, and supporters are welcome to share feedback, suggest improvements, and contribute their own lessons learned. Please refer to the CONTRIBUTING.md file in the repository for detailed guidelines.

What’s Next

With the Playbook now public, the next phase is collective learning. As more communities adopt it and contribute back, future versions will continue to improve and reflect real‑world experience. The long‑term goal is to support a growing network of independent, technically grounded Bitcoin communities across the Global South; communities that learn together, build together, and contribute confidently to Bitcoin’s future.

About Us

Btrust is a non-profit organization with a dedicated mission to decentralize the development of Bitcoin Open-Source Software. Our focus is on fostering developer talent in the Global South and supporting the free and open-source Bitcoin ecosystem.