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FirstCommit is all about freedom. There is no required theme at Beginner’s Paradise, so you can build whatever excites you: a helpful tool, a fun game, an experiment with AI, or something entirely new. The only limit is your curiosity, and even that is meant to grow throughout the hackathon.

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What You Can Build

You have full freedom to build any kind of software project. Here are some ideas to get you thinking:

Web Apps

A website, dashboard, or productivity tool that runs in a browser. Great for learning HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or frameworks like React or Vue.

Mobile Apps

An app for Android or iOS. Try React Native, Flutter, or even a simple web app wrapped for mobile.

Games

A 2D platformer, a puzzle game, or an interactive story. Use engines like Unity, Godot, or plain JavaScript with a canvas.

AI Tools

A chatbot, a recommendation engine, or a creative generator. Use APIs from OpenAI, Google, or Hugging Face.

Creative Experiments

Generative art, music visualizers, interactive stories, or digital toys. Let your imagination lead.

Hardware / IoT

A Raspberry Pi project, an Arduino sensor setup, or a smart home gadget. Combine code with physical components.

Desktop Apps

A cross-platform or native desktop app using tools like Electron, Tauri, or Python with Tkinter.

Anything Software-Related

If it involves code and creativity, it counts. Build a CLI tool, a browser extension, a Discord bot, or something nobody has named yet.

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How to Choose Your Project

Picking a project can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips to help you decide:
1

Start small

A simple project you can finish is better than a massive idea you never ship. You can always add features later.
2

Pick something you enjoy

If you love games, build a game. If you care about productivity, build a tool you’d actually use. Passion makes the hard parts easier.
3

It's okay if it's been done before

A calculator you built yourself is more valuable than a perfect project you never started. Focus on your learning, not originality.
4

Solve a problem you have

The best projects come from personal frustration. Build the app you wish existed, the automation you need, or the game you want to play.
Remember the core loop: idea → code → bug → fix → ship. That loop is where real learning happens. Every bug you fix and every feature you finish teaches you something new.

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A Note on AI

AI tools are allowed and encouraged as assistants, but your project should be yours. Use AI to brainstorm, debug, or learn, but make sure you understand and contribute to the code you submit. Judges will ask you to explain how your project works, so own your work. For full details, see Using AI Tools.