Overview
What this challenge is about.
Build a real-time whiteboard with WebSockets, drag-and-drop sticky notes, and a load test. Deliver your repo and architecture report for a verifiable certificate.
The scenario
The dev-tools startup (small seed-stage team, ships weekly) wants to validate the real-time feasibility before committing to a CRDT-based architecture for v2.
The Brief
What you'll do, and what you'll demonstrate.
Prototype a 6-user real-time whiteboard in React + Node.js + Socket.IO with under 100ms p95 cursor-update latency.
Earning criteria — what you'll demonstrate
- Build a real-time web application using WebSockets
- Reason about state synchronization tradeoffs (LWW vs OT vs CRDT)
- Measure latency and message-loss in a real network
- Document architecture decisions for a sceptical engineering reviewer
Program Fit
Where this fits in your program.
Sharpens the same skills your degree expects you to demonstrate.
Aligned coursework coming soon.
Skills
Skills you'll demonstrate.
Each one shows up on your verified credential.
- Websockets
Apply websockets to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- React
Build component-based UI with hooks, state management, and modern React patterns.
- Nodejs
Apply nodejs to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- Real Time Systems
Apply real time systems to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- Performance Testing
Apply performance testing to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- State Sync
Apply state sync to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
Careers
Career paths this challenge builds toward
Completing this challenge demonstrates skills that transfer directly to these roles: