Inspiration
Code-Nect came from the challenges hackers face when trying to find like-minded collaborators for projects or hackathons. Finding the right team members who align with your skills, vibes, and goals can be challenging, and scrolling through a list of introductions on Discord and DM'ing random people can be awkward. We wanted to create a platform that streamlines this process, making it easier for hackathon participants to connect and collaborate, no matter where they are. The user experience for this platform is heavily inspired by dating apps, allowing you to create a profile with a random question to tell us more about you, and then swiping left or right on potential participants.
What it does
Code-Nect is a platform that connects hackers based on shared interests, skills, and vibes. It allows users to: Create or Join Channels: Organize groups for events, hackathons, or projects. Build Profiles: Showcase their skills, goals, and developer vibes. Swipe to Match: Connect with hackers by swiping right to say "yes" or left to pass. Automatic Team Formation: Generates teams from mutual matches using AI-powered algorithms and Firebase.
How we built it
We built Code-Nect using: Frontend: iOS app built with SwiftUI using the MVVM architecture for modularity and scalability. A web app built with React.js for accessibility and multi-platform support. Backend: Firebase Firestore for real-time database management. Firebase Authentication for user login and management. Firebase Cloud Functions to handle team generation logic. Design: Designed UI/UX in Figma to ensure a clean and intuitive user experience.
Challenges we ran into
Real-Time Matching: Implementing real-time updates for swipes and matches in Firestore without affecting performance was a challenge. Cloud Functions: Writing efficient Firebase Cloud Functions to process team generation based on mutual matches required careful handling of edge cases. Cross-Platform Design: Ensuring that the app looked consistent and intuitive across iOS and web platforms while maintaining responsiveness. Time Constraints: Building a fully functional platform with backend integration in a short time frame was a significant challenge.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
Successfully implemented a Tinder-style swiping system for developers. Built a fully automated team formation algorithm using Firebase Cloud Functions. Designed and deployed a user-friendly and visually appealing UI for both mobile and web platforms. Overcame challenges related to integrating real-time updates with Firebase.
What we learned
Real-Time Database Management: Learned how to efficiently structure and query Firestore data for real-time interactions. Cloud Functions: Gained deeper insights into writing and deploying Firebase Cloud Functions for serverless backend logic. Team Collaboration: Strengthened our ability to collaborate and divide responsibilities effectively in a hackathon environment. User-Centered Design: Understood the importance of designing features that directly address user pain points.
What's next for Code-nect
Expand to Android: Build an Android version to reach a larger audience. Enhanced Team Matching: Incorporate AI/ML to suggest better matches based on deeper analysis of user profiles. Notifications: Add push notifications to alert users about new matches or team updates. Cross-Platform Chat: Enable in-app messaging for team members to collaborate directly within the app. Public Channels: Allow users to discover and join public channels for open collaboration.
Built With
- cocoapods
- figma
- firebase
- javascript
- react.js
- swiftui
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