To effectively run a Google Summer of Code (GSoC) project on GitHub, it is essential to set clear expectations for mentors and students, focusing on practical project ideas and the importance of pull requests. Projects should be documented in dedicated files or repositories, with ideas that are useful and achievable, encouraging students to adopt them rather than proposing their own. A key part of the selection process involves students submitting a pull request, as this demonstrates their ability to engage with the project community and showcases their technical skills. Throughout the summer, students should be encouraged to submit small, regular pull requests to facilitate easier reviews and integrations, emulating the normal workflow of the project's contributors. Regular check-ins should be scheduled to monitor progress, and strict requirements on pull request submissions should be communicated to ensure students meet program expectations. While these standards may seem rigorous, they aim to foster a positive and productive experience, as demonstrated by the Homebrew project's successful application of these principles.