Git-Connect

Git-Connect matches developers through real GitHub work, not polished resumes. Built at HackDartmouth, it empowers students to find mentors, collaborators, and communities in tech they love.

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About the Project

Inspiration

We were tired of seeing polished LinkedIn profiles and fake credentials. We wanted a platform where real coding activity mattered more than buzzwords. Git-Connect was born to help students, underprivileged learners, and hackers discover genuine developers based on their open-source work.

What it does

Git-Connect lets users search any technology (like Rust, Java, Solidity) and instantly find active developers and communities working in that space. AI summarizes their skills, recent projects, and contributions — helping users network smarter, faster, and more authentically.

How we built it

  • Frontend: React.js + Vite
  • Backend APIs: GitHub REST API v3 and Gemini AI APIs
  • Deployment: Vercel with a custom domain (git-connect.co)
  • UI/UX: Floating elements, dynamic cards, animated flip summaries, and responsive layouts for mobile and desktop

Challenges we ran into

  • GitHub API rate limits made scaling searches difficult without a proper token.
  • Gemini API quota issues required limiting AI summaries dynamically.
  • Making the site feel polished while ensuring performance was tricky with so many dynamic elements.
  • Domain connection (Porkbun ➔ Vercel) and DNS propagation added unexpected delays.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • Deployed a live, production-ready site in less than 24 hours.
  • Integrated Gemini AI summaries without leaking any sensitive keys.
  • Created a premium-feeling developer networking platform — clean, functional, and aesthetic.

What we learned

  • Deep practical experience with API handling (auth, rate-limiting, environment variables).
  • How to make fast design decisions to balance UX and performance under a hackathon timeline.
  • How crucial real-world data (GitHub profiles, real projects) is for building authentic platforms.

What's next for Git-Connect

  • Add OAuth GitHub login to let users bookmark or directly message developers.
  • Expand AI summarization to include code snippets and commit analysis.
  • Build a “Team Up” feature for hackathons, startups, and side projects based on GitHub activity matching.

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