EVENTS AND SUPPORT

  • Watch the Build Session with Devpost and GitLab

    • Live walkthrough and Q&A.

  • GitLab Discord — join #transcend-hackathon to ask all your hackathon questions directly to the GitLab team - they're happy to help!

    • Discord office hours 

      • Thursday, October 15, 7-8 PM UTC / 3-4 PM ET

      • Tuesday, October 20, 10:00 AM UTC / 6:00-7:00 AM ET

  • Participants tab — filter and find teammates

 

TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES

 

INSPIRATION

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use GitLab Duo Agent Platform?

Yes. Every project must use GitLab Duo Agent Platform features. The docs list everything available.
How do I get free access to GitLab?

Start Transcend Hackathon contributor onboarding. GitLab approves requests in about 24 business hours. Your group, subgroup, project, and onboarding issue are created automatically after that.
Do participants get GitLab Credits for GitLab Duo and the GitLab Duo Agent Platform?
Yes. Each participant gets 500 GitLab Credits per month. You can use these credits for GitLab Duo and GitLab Duo Agent Platform features.

What happens if I use all my GitLab Credits?

Your usage stops when you run out of credits.

How do I check how many GitLab Credits I have left?

Go to your GitLab Credits dashboard. We recommend that you check your credits before you run a test.

Which role do I need in the hackathon group?

You need the “Developer + AI” role. We created this role for this Hackathon. It gives you access to GitLab Duo Agent Platform features. You do not need to request a different role.
Can I work with a team?

Yes. There is no limit on team size. Use the Participants tab to find teammates, or ask in #transcend-hackathon.
Can I use a project I already built?
Only in Path B. The original project must be open source and use the MIT License. You must build the agentic automation and deploy the project on or after October 5th. On the submission form, explain what you added or changed.
Which open source license do I need?

Yes. Your submitted project must use the MIT License. Add a LICENSE file with the MIT License text to the root of your repository. It must show at the top of your repository page, in the About section.

In Path B (Bring Your Own), the original project you import must also use the MIT License.
Do I have to deploy on Google Cloud?

No. Deploy anywhere. Path A (Start Fresh) does not require deployment. Path B (Bring Your Own) requires a live URL on any platform. Projects deployed on Google Cloud are eligible for up to 0.2 bonus points. See full rules for details.Does Google Cloud cost money?

Google Cloud is optional. New Google Cloud customers can get $300 in free credit. Visit Google Cloud to learn how it works.
Does Google Cloud cost money?
Google Cloud is optional. New Google Cloud customers can get $300 in free credit. Visit Google Cloud to learn how it works.
How do Google Cloud bonus points work?

Deploy your project on Google Cloud to be eligible for up to 0.2 bonus points. This is open to both Paths. We add the points once, after judges score your project. The highest possible final score is 5.2.

To be eligible:

  • Include your Google Cloud deployment code in your public GitLab repository.
  • Provide a link to your live project on Google Cloud. It must be public and available to judges.

Read the Official Rules for details.
How long does my project need to stay live?
Your project should stay live until winners are announced on or around November 16th, so judges can test it. If it goes down, you are not disqualified. But you may score lower, because judges will rely only on your video and repository. Show strong proof in your demo video either way.
Does my repository have to be public?
Yes. It must be public, with all source code, assets, and instructions needed to run the project, and your CI/CD pipeline history must be visible.
Does my project need to have an MIT license?
Yes, everything that you use or make must be MIT-licensed.
How long can my demo video be?
Under three minutes. Upload it to YouTube and set it to Public or Unlisted, not Private. Judges are not required to watch past three minutes.
How do I enter the Most Environmentally Impactful prize?

Opt in on the submission form. Explain how your project "demonstrates exceptional sustainability practices in its design, from model and pipeline optimization to energy-efficient architecture choices." You should measure your sustainability gain with current public methods and the Software Carbon Intensity (SCI) framework.

See the Official Rules for details.
Can I edit my submission after the deadline?

No. You can edit as many times as you like before the deadline. Once it passes, leave everything alone until winners are announced. That includes your submission form, your code repository, your video, and anything linked from your submission. Changes during judging put your eligibility at risk.

If you want to keep building, fork your repository or make a copy and work on the copy. A fork is a separate copy under your own account. Work there and leave the submitted version untouched.
Can I use AI to build my project?

Yes, and most people will. A few things worth knowing:

  • 🟢 Do use AI to scaffold, debug, and iterate faster so your time goes into what the project actually does.
  • 🟢 Do ensure you understand and agree with what your AI creates. You are the ultimate owner of your submitted work.
  • 🟢 Do use AI to narrate your demo video. A clear narrated walkthrough beats a silent screen recording.
  • ❌ Don't let AI name your project. AI-generated names all blur together across hundreds of submissions. Pick a name that says what it does.
  • ❌ Don't describe your project in vague terms. Be specific about what you built and how.
Where do I get help?

#transcend-hackathon in the GitLab Discord is fastest and best for technical questions