Everything you need to build an amazing project at Hack RUC!

Welcome to Hack RUC! This resource page contains all the tools, APIs, tutorials, and support channels you'll need during the hackathon. We've organized everything by category to help you get started quickly.

Remember: You're encouraged to use AI tools to help you build faster. This is a unique moment in technology—take advantage of it!

Google Gemini API ⭐ Featured Sponsor

• Get started: https://ai.google.dev/
• Google AI Studio (no-code): https://aistudio.google.com/
• Vertex AI (advanced): https://cloud.google.com/vertex-ai
• Documentation: https://ai.google.dev/docs
• Gemini API Cookbook: https://github.com/google-gemini/cookbook
• Special Prize: Use Gemini API to compete for Google Swag!

GitHub Copilot

• AI pair programmer for coding
• Sign up for student account: https://education.github.com/
• VS Code extension: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=GitHub.copilot

Claude / ChatGPT

• Use for brainstorming, debugging, and learning
• Claude: https://claude.ai
• ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com

Other AI Tools:

• OpenAI API: https://platform.openai.com/
• Hugging Face Models: https://huggingface.co/models
• Replicate: https://replicate.com/
• ElevenLabs (Voice AI): https://elevenlabs.io/

MongoDB Atlas ⭐ Featured Sponsor

• Cloud database with free tier
• Sign up: https://www.mongodb.com/cloud/atlas/register
• Free tier: No credit card required
• Student credits: $50 free credits for students
• Documentation: https://docs.mongodb.com/
• University resources: https://learn.mongodb.com/
• Special Prize: Use MongoDB to compete for recognition!

Other Database Options:

• Firebase: https://firebase.google.com/
• Supabase (open-source Firebase): https://supabase.com/
• PostgreSQL on Railway: https://railway.app/
• PlanetScale (MySQL): https://planetscale.com/

Quick Start Platforms:

• Replit: https://replit.com/ (code in browser, instant deployment)
• CodeSandbox: https://codesandbox.io/ (web app sandbox)
• Glitch: https://glitch.com/ (remix and deploy instantly)

Deployment Platforms:

• Vercel: https://vercel.com/ (Next.js, React, Vue)
• Netlify: https://www.netlify.com/ (static sites, serverless functions)
• Railway: https://railway.app/ (full-stack apps, databases)
• Render: https://render.com/ (web services, databases)

Version Control:

• GitHub: https://github.com/
• GitHub Desktop: https://desktop.github.com/
• Git documentation: https://git-scm.com/doc

Google Cloud Platform

• $300 free credits for new users
• Sign up: https://cloud.google.com/free
• Use with Gemini API for extra capabilities

Other Cloud Platforms:

• AWS Free Tier: https://aws.amazon.com/free/
• Microsoft Azure for Students: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/free/students/
• DigitalOcean: https://www.digitalocean.com/

Frameworks & Libraries:

• React: https://react.dev/
• Next.js: https://nextjs.org/
• Vue: https://vuejs.org/
• Tailwind CSS: https://tailwindcss.com/
• shadcn/ui components: https://ui.shadcn.com/

Design Tools:

• Figma: https://www.figma.com/
• Canva: https://www.canva.com/
• Excalidraw (wireframes): https://excalidraw.com/

UI Resources:

• Icons: https://react-icons.github.io/react-icons/
• Illustrations: https://undraw.co/
• Colors: https://coolors.co/

• React Native: https://reactnative.dev/
• Flutter: https://flutter.dev/
• Expo (React Native): https://expo.dev/
• Swift (iOS): https://developer.apple.com/swift/
• Kotlin (Android): https://kotlinlang.org/

AI-Powered Tools:

• Smart study assistant using Gemini
• AI code reviewer and explainer
• Automated content generator for social media
• Image analysis and description tool
• Personal AI coach or mentor

Social Good:

• Accessibility tools for people with disabilities
• Educational platform for underserved communities
• Environmental impact tracker
• Mental health support chatbot
• Community resource finder

Productivity:

• AI-powered task manager
• Meeting summarizer and action item extractor
• Smart document organizer
• Time management assistant
• Focus and break timer with AI suggestions

Creative:

• AI art generator with unique style
• Music composition assistant
• Story writing companion
• Recipe generator based on ingredients
• Travel itinerary planner

Data & Analytics:

• Personal finance dashboard
• Health and fitness tracker
• Real-time data visualizer
• Predictive analytics tool
• Custom report generator

Look at previous MLH hackathon projects for inspiration:

• Devpost Gallery: https://devpost.com/software
• MLH Showcase: https://mlh.io/seasons/2024/events

Google Gemini API:

• Quickstart guide: https://ai.google.dev/tutorials/get_started_web
• Build your first app: https://ai.google.dev/tutorials/quickstart
• Prompt engineering: https://ai.google.dev/docs/prompt_best_practices

General AI/ML:

• Google's Machine Learning Crash Course: https://developers.google.com/machine-learning/crash-course
• Fast.ai: https://www.fast.ai/
• TensorFlow tutorials: https://www.tensorflow.org/tutorials

For Beginners:

• freeCodeCamp: https://www.freecodecamp.org/
• The Odin Project: https://www.theodinproject.com/
• Web.dev by Google: https://web.dev/learn/

Intermediate/Advanced:

• React docs: https://react.dev/learn
• Next.js tutorial: https://nextjs.org/learn
• Full Stack Open: https://fullstackopen.com/

MongoDB:

• MongoDB University (free courses): https://learn.mongodb.com/
• CRUD operations tutorial: https://www.mongodb.com/docs/manual/tutorial/
• Mongoose (Node.js): https://mongoosejs.com/

APIs:

• RESTful API design: https://restfulapi.net/
• Building APIs with Express: https://expressjs.com/
• API authentication: https://jwt.io/introduction

AI & ML:

• Google Gemini API: https://ai.google.dev/
• OpenAI API: https://platform.openai.com/
• Stability AI: https://stability.ai/

Data & Information:

• News API: https://newsapi.org/
• Weather API: https://openweathermap.org/api
• Wikipedia API: https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/API
• Alpha Vantage (finance): https://www.alphavantage.co/

Utilities:

• Twilio (SMS/voice): https://www.twilio.com/
• SendGrid (email): https://sendgrid.com/
• Mapbox (maps): https://www.mapbox.com/
• Stripe (payments - test mode): https://stripe.com/

Fun APIs:

• Spotify API: https://developer.spotify.com/
• NASA API: https://api.nasa.gov/
• Pokemon API: https://pokeapi.co/
• Cat/Dog photos: https://thecatapi.com/, https://dog.ceo/dog-api/

General:

• Kaggle Datasets: https://www.kaggle.com/datasets
• Google Dataset Search: https://datasetsearch.research.google.com/
• Data.gov: https://data.gov/
• UCI Machine Learning Repository: https://archive.ics.uci.edu/ml/

Specific:

• COVID-19 data: https://github.com/CSSEGISandData/COVID-19
• Climate data: https://www.climate.gov/maps-data
• Public APIs list: https://github.com/public-apis/public-apis

Discord (Primary Communication)

• Join here: [INSERT DISCORD LINK]
• Channels:
  • #announcements - Important updates
  • #general - Chat with other hackers
  • #help - Ask mentors for technical help
  • #team-formation - Find teammates
  • #random - Off-topic fun

In-Person Help Desk

• Location: [INSERT LOCATION]
• Hours: 8:00 AM - 8:30 PM
• Available for:
  • Technical questions
  • Event logistics
  • Prize information
  • General support

Mentors

• Mentors will be roaming throughout the venue
• Also available in Discord #help channel
• Can help with debugging, architecture, and tool selection

For urgent issues:

• Organizer phone: [INSERT PHONE NUMBER]
• Email: [INSERT EMAIL]

Code of Conduct violations:

• Report immediately to any organizer
• MLH incident form: https://mlh.io/incident-form

MLH Resources:

• Hacker Guide: https://guide.mlh.io/
• Getting Started: https://mlh.io/getting-started
• MLH Localhost workshops: https://localhost.mlh.io/

Tips & Tricks:

• How to demo your project: https://mlh.io/blog/how-to-demo
• Building in 24 hours: https://medium.com/hackers-and-hacking/how-to-build-a-product-in-24-hours
• Presentation tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn9cVXmzW8c

Languages:

• JavaScript: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript
• Python: https://docs.python.org/3/
• TypeScript: https://www.typescriptlang.org/docs/
• Go: https://go.dev/doc/

Frameworks:

• React: https://react.dev/reference/react
• Node.js: https://nodejs.org/en/docs/
• Flask: https://flask.palletsprojects.com/
• FastAPI: https://fastapi.tiangolo.com/

Tools:

• VS Code shortcuts: https://code.visualstudio.com/shortcuts/keyboard-shortcuts-windows.pdf
• Chrome DevTools: https://developer.chrome.com/docs/devtools/
• Postman API testing: https://learning.postman.com/docs/

✅ Join Discord as soon as you arrive ✅ Test your environment early (API keys, deployments, etc.) ✅ Start your Devpost submission early, not at 7:25 PM ✅ Ask for help when you're stuck - that's what mentors are for! ✅ Take breaks - you can't code well if you're burned out ✅ Have fun - it's a hackathon, not a death march!

💡 Scope appropriately - Build an MVP first, then add features 💡 Use templates and boilerplates - Don't build from scratch if you don't have to 💡 Leverage AI - Use ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude to code faster 💡 Focus on demo - A working demo beats perfect code every time 💡 Document as you go - Don't wait until the end to write your README 💡 Practice your pitch - 2 minutes goes by fast!

Good luck, and happy hacking! 🚀

See you at 8:00 AM!