Build With AI: Basics

Overview

The 'Build With AI: Basics' hackathon, hosted by Devpost, is a monthly event designed for individuals looking to learn AI best practices. Participants will create a solid proof-of-concept for a dream project using AI, focusing on foundational skills that prevent common pitfalls in AI-assisted coding. The challenge emphasizes building a functional, small-scale application from start to finish. This hackathon is structured around learning and aims to teach participants how to effectively plan AI projects. It addresses common issues like AI repeating mistakes or generating unexplainable code by guiding users through a structured planning and building process. Participants will utilize the Devpost Learn Skill Pack, a set of step-by-step guides integrated into various coding agents like Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor. The process involves the skills interviewing participants about their ideas, assisting in project planning before coding begins, facilitating the build process, and preparing the project for submission. By the end, participants will have a running application, a clear development plan, and reusable habits for future projects. The hackathon also offers live build sessions, office hours, community support, and project reviews. Participants will compete for a total prize pool of $2,500. Beyond the monetary prizes, the hackathon offers a Devpost Learn badge for all eligible submissions, and top winners receive additional recognition through Devpost's newsletter and social media. The event provides a supportive environment for learning and applying AI development best practices.

What to build

A new app, built with the Devpost Learn Skill Pack. The skills will assist participants in finding an idea or refining an existing one. The project must be started from an empty folder during the submission period and utilize the skills in a coding agent. Planning documentation generated by the skills (scope.md, prd.md, and spec.md files) must be included in the public repository.

Prizes

Key dates

• Live Build SessionOctober 1, 2026 @ 1:00 PM ET
• Cup of Joe Office HoursOctober 6, 2026 @ 3:00 PM ET
• Cup of Joe Office HoursOctober 13, 2026 @ 3:00 PM ET
• Will It Ship (Live Review)October 22, 2026 @ 3:00 PM ET
• DeadlineOctober 26, 2026 @ 5:00 PM EDT

Eligibility

All countries/territories, excluding standard exceptions.

How to enter

1. Install Node.js and Git.
2. Obtain a coding agent that supports skills.
3. Create an empty project folder.
4. In the project folder, run `npx skills add challengepost/learn-ai-basics --all -y`.
5. Open your coding agent in that folder and say "run 1-start."

Submission requirements

• New project, started from an empty folder during the submission period. Old ideas are acceptable, but old code is not.
• Built with the Devpost Learn skills, run in your coding agent.
• Planning documentation (scope.md, prd.md, and spec.md files generated by the skills) must be included in the public repository.
• Submission requires a short demo video (1-3 minutes, screen recording acceptable) and a public GitHub, GitLab, or BitBucket repo URL.
• A short description outlining what the project does, who it's for, and what was learned.

Judging criteria

• Design: Does the project deliver a complete, coherent product experience — not just a technical proof of concept?
• Innovation/Idea: How creative and novel is the concept and does the project differ from existing concepts?
• Presentation: Does the video clearly demonstrate the project working end-to-end? Does the pitch communicate what problem is solved, who it's for, and why it matters? Is the overall presentation easy to follow?

Resources

• Devpost Discord
• Live Build Session Registration
• Will It Ship Registration
• Resources Tab