> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.firstcommit.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Frequently Asked Questions: Beginner's Paradise

> Answers to the most common questions about FirstCommit's Beginner's Paradise hackathon: eligibility, teams, AI, prizes, GitHub, and how to submit.

These are the questions participants ask most often. If you don't find your answer here, check the [Contact and Support](/support/contact) page to reach the team directly.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Who can participate?">
    Beginner's Paradise is open to anyone aged 13 to 21. You do not need to be a student, but the hackathon is designed for students and young developers. Beginners are especially welcome — starting from zero is not a disadvantage here.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need coding experience?">
    No. You do not need any prior experience to join. Come ready to learn, experiment, and ask questions as you build. Judges value growth and effort over polished code.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I work with a team?">
    Yes. You can participate solo or collaborate with a team of up to 6 members. Every team member must register individually on Devpost. One person submits the project and adds teammates using their Devpost-registered email addresses.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What can I build?">
    Anything software-related: websites, web apps, mobile apps, games, AI tools, creative experiments, hardware and IoT projects, desktop applications — the choice is yours. There is no required theme. Build something you are genuinely excited about.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use AI tools?">
    Yes. AI tools are allowed and encouraged as learning aids. Use them to understand concepts, debug errors, brainstorm ideas, and learn new technologies. However, you must genuinely understand and contribute to your project. Significant AI usage must be disclosed in your README, and organizers may request AI chat history or screenshots.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need a GitHub repository?">
    Yes. Every project must have a public GitHub repository with multiple meaningful commits. Single-commit submissions are disqualified. Your commit history shows judges your development process and growth throughout the hackathon.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What do I submit?">
    Your Devpost submission must include a public GitHub repo, a complete README (project overview, tech stack, setup instructions, credits, AI disclosure if applicable), and a demo presentation of 3 to 5 minutes covering what you built, how it works, the tech you used, challenges you faced, and what you learned. A live deployment link and screenshots are recommended but not required.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How are projects judged?">
    Projects are scored across four criteria: Learning & Growth (30%), Creativity & Impact (25%), Technical Execution (25%), and Presentation & Communication (20%). Technical complexity alone does not win. A beginner who grew significantly and documented their journey can outscore a more complex project with no reflection.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do the .xyz domain prizes work?">
    Every winner receives a free .xyz domain for one year, provided by sponsor [.xyz](https://gen.xyz). After the first year, renewal is the domain owner's responsibility.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I claim my free DevSwarm month?">
    All participants get one month free of DevSwarm Pro courtesy of sponsor [DevSwarm](https://devswarm.ai). To claim it, join the [FirstCommit Discord](https://discord.firstcommit.xyz/) and check the **#sponsor-info** channel for redemption instructions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a Discord?">
    Yes. Join the FirstCommit Discord at [discord.firstcommit.xyz](https://discord.firstcommit.xyz/). It's the best place to ask questions, get help from other participants, and find sponsor info.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I'm stuck. Where do I get help?">
    Join the [Discord](https://discord.firstcommit.xyz/) for quick help from the community, or email [support@firstcommit.xyz](mailto:support@firstcommit.xyz) and someone will help you out. You can also post on the [Devpost discussion forum](https://firstcommit.devpost.com/forum_topics).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related Articles

* [Rules and Eligibility](/hackathon/rules)
* [Submission Requirements](/building/submission-requirements)
* [Contact and Support](/support/contact)