Learn AR with SPECS

Overview

The "Learn AR with SPECS" hackathon challenges participants to design augmented reality applications for glasses, with the development process leveraging AI coding agents to build the Lens in Snap's Lens Studio. The competition focuses on teaching design principles for AR experiences that are distinct from traditional screen-based interactions, emphasizing features like shared views, drawing content directly into the world, and hands-free interaction. Participants will utilize the Devpost Learn skill pack with their coding agent, which guides them through the idea generation and design brief creation process. Snap's CLAD agents then build the actual Lens in Lens Studio based on this brief, allowing participants to test their creations in the Lens Studio preview without needing physical AR glasses. The hackathon aims to equip participants with a working Lens, a strategic design plan, and a foundational understanding of AR development. Beyond building a functional AR experience, the hackathon emphasizes learning what constitutes effective AR design, working with Snap's latest agent tools such as CLAD, the Lens Studio MCP, and LEAF testing. Participants will receive support through live build sessions and project reviews. The event offers a total of $2,500 in cash prizes across multiple rounds, along with Devpost achievements and recognition. To get started, participants need a computer capable of running Lens Studio, Node.js, and Git, along with a coding agent that supports skills. They are encouraged to set up their tools using the provided quick start guide, watch a concept video, install the Devpost Learn skill pack, and engage with the community on Discord for assistance and collaboration.

What to build

A new Lens for SPECS, planned using the Devpost Learn skill pack and built by an AI coding agent via CLAD in Lens Studio. The project must be started during the submission period, include planning documents generated by the skill pack in the devpost folder, and be built with CLAD through the Lens Studio plugin and MCP. The Lens must run in the Lens Studio preview; SPECS glasses are not required.

Prizes

Key dates

• Learn AR with SPECS Live Build Session2026-10-22 12:00:00 ET
• Learn AR with SPECS: Live Project Review2026-11-05 12:00:00 ET
• Deadline2026-11-09 17:00:00 EST

How to enter

1. Ensure you have a computer that runs Lens Studio, Node.js, Git, and a coding agent that supports skills.
2. Set up your tools (coding agent, Lens Studio, Lens Studio MCP, CLAD plugin) using the quick start guide on the Resources tab.
3. Watch the concept video (available at the top of the page) to understand the design ideas judges will look for.
4. Install the skill pack: `npx skills add challengepost/learn-specs --all -y`.
5. Open your coding agent and say "Run the plan-lens skill." The skill pack will guide you through the planning process.
6. Join the SPECS channel in the Devpost Discord for questions and community interaction.
7. Register for and attend the Learn AR with SPECS Live Build Session (recorded if you cannot attend).
8. Attend the Learn AR with SPECS: Live Project Review to get feedback before the deadline.

Submission requirements

• A demo video (under 3 minutes, public on YouTube) showing your Lens working, ideally a screen recording of the Lens Studio preview, and optionally discussing your design process.
• A public repository on GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket, including your Lens Studio project files and the 'devpost' folder.
• A short description outlining what your Lens does, who it's for, and what you learned.
• The project must be a new Lens for SPECS.
• The project must be started during the submission period (old ideas are fine, old code is not).
• The project must be planned with the skill pack, with planning documents included in the 'devpost' folder of your repo.
• The project must be built with CLAD, meaning your coding agent builds the Lens in Lens Studio through the CLAD plugin and Lens Studio MCP.
• The Lens must run in the Lens Studio preview; SPECS glasses are not required.

Judging criteria

• Design: Does the project deliver a complete, coherent product experience, not just a technical proof of concept?
• Technical Implementation: How well is the project built and how well did it use CLAD, Lens Studio, and the Lens Studio MCP?
• 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?