HackMate - Your All-in-One Hackathon Companion
Hackathons are rapidly becoming the breeding ground for innovation, collaboration, and practical skill development in the tech world. However, participants often face significant challenges in finding the right team, organizing workflows, and staying updated with event milestones. HackMate aims to bridge these gaps by offering an all-in-one platform designed specifically to streamline the hackathon experience. HackMate is a dynamic web-based platform that empowers students, developers, and innovators to connect, collaborate, and compete effectively in hackathons.
Features
- User Authentication & Profile Dashboard
- Real-Time Chat System (Socket.io)
- Team Management (Add, Invite, Remove Members)
- Hackathon Calendar & Event Ticker (Python)
- Chaturbot - AI-powered Help & Idea Generator
- Daily Coding Challenges & Puzzle Section
- Hackathon Roadmap Visualization
- Code Editor for Multiple Languages
- Code Submission & Evaluation
- Matchmaking for Hackathon Teams
- Fully Responsive UI/UX
Objectives
- Facilitate team-based learning and project building
- Automate team formation and project submission
- Keep participants updated with event milestones
- Encourage skill-building through collaborative coding
- Support innovation through smart idea generation
Modules
- Homepage with Hackathon Ticker
- Login / Signup System
- Personalized User Dashboard
- Team Management Panel
- Daily Challenge & Puzzle Hub
- AI Chatbot - Chaturbot
- Real-Time Chat Integration
- Hackathon Calendar & Event Tracker
- Code Editor & Code Submission Flow
Tech Stack
| Layer | Technologies Used |
|---|---|
| Frontend | HTML, CSS, JavaScript |
| Backend | Node.js, Express.js |
| Database | MongoDB |
| AI & Scripting | Python (Ticker, Chatbot: Chaturbot) |
| Real-Time | Socket.io |
| Tools | Git, GitHub, VS Code |
How to Run the Project Locally
Follow these comprehensive steps to get your HackMate project up and running on your local machine. Ensure you follow the order as some components depend on others.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have the following installed:
- Node.js: Version 14 or higher is recommended. You can download it from nodejs.org.
- npm or yarn: These package managers come with Node.js.
- Python 3: Make sure Python 3 is installed. You can download it from python.org.
- pip: Python's package installer, usually comes with Python 3.9*+
- MongoDB: Make sure MongoDB is installed and running on your system. You can find installation instructions on the MongoDB website.
Installation and Running Locally
1. Clone the repository:
cd HackMate
2. Install dependencies for the main project:
Navigate to the root of your cloned project and install the top-level Node.js dependencies :
3. Set up environment variables for backend:
The main backend server (app.js) and other Node.js components might require environment variables. Create a file named .env in the formmongo/server directory.
*Example `.env` content (you'll need to fill in actual values based on your `app.js` or server configuration):*