HackHost | Devpost

home page
dashboard showing hackathons
dashboard showing a single hackathon
dashboard showing users

Inspiration

The inspiration behind HackHost came from the realization that there were no open-source alternatives for hosting hackathons, sparked by TiDB's idea list. We aimed to fill this gap and empower organizers to effortlessly manage hackathon events.

What it does

HackHost is an open-source platform that simplifies hackathon hosting built with Next.js, Prisma, and TiDB Serverless. It offers a user-friendly interface built with chakra-ui. The app provides seamless authentication using next-auth.js, cloudinary for asset management, and Redux Toolkit for state management. Organizers can create, customize, and manage hackathons, while participants can easily register, form teams, and submit projects.

How we built it

HackHost was meticulously crafted using Next.js 13, making the most of Prisma's ease of use and the rapid development capabilities of chakra-ui library. We learned to navigate and leverage these tools effectively to create a robust platform.

Challenges we ran into

During development, we encountered challenges with Next.js 13's app directory setup, requiring 'use client' inclusion in all pages for chakra-ui components to function correctly since it renders server-side. However, we persevered, finding effective solutions to ensure a seamless user experience.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are immensely proud of successfully creating an open-source hackathon hosting platform that fills a crucial void in the hackathon community. Learning to utilize Prisma for the first time was a significant achievement, enabling us to build a solid foundation for HackHost. Moreover, mastering the chakra-ui library allowed us to develop applications faster and with exceptional design.

What we learned

Throughout the development journey, we learned the power of Prisma's simplicity and effectiveness, which greatly contributed to the success of HackHost. Additionally, chakra-ui proved to be a game-changer, enhancing the overall user experience and speeding up the application development process.

What's next for HackHost

Looking ahead, we plan to enhance HackHost further by implementing email notifications for users, introducing a user connection feature with the ability to follow others, and creating a comprehensive dashboard for organizers to gain deeper insights into their hackathons. The journey has just begun, and we are excited to continue refining HackHost based on valuable feedback and contributions from the community.