Hackyard is a community-driven platform that organizes small, pop-up AI hackathons called Yards, where solo builders compete using a specified AI model over a 48-hour weekend.
What is Hackyard?
Hackyard is a web-based platform that hosts short, themed hackathons focused on a single AI model. Participants sign in with GitHub or email, build a project solo over one weekend, and ship a repo, demo video, and screenshot. The community votes on the best build, and winners receive a profile badge, a spot in the winners grid, and a featured writeup.
Key Features
- Capped capacity – Each Yard limits participation to between 20 and 100 builders, ensuring every project gets attention.
- One model, one theme – Every Yard names the AI model (e.g., Grok 4.5) and a theme (e.g., Escape Velocity) that all participants must use.
- Solo builders only – No teams. The platform is designed for individual creators to ship something in 48 hours.
- Free to enter – Participation costs nothing, and the platform states it will never charge.
- Vote-based judging – Each builder gets one vote; vote counts are hidden until the end of the event.
- Winners recognition – Winners earn a badge, a spot on the winners grid, and a written feature on the platform.
Who is it for?
- Solo AI developers who want a focused weekend challenge with a specific model.
- Hobbyist builders looking for a low-pressure, scrappy environment to ship something.
- Aspiring AI creators who want to test their skills against others in a themed setting.
What can you do with Hackyard?
- Participate in a themed AI hackathon – Join a Yard like "Escape Velocity" using Grok 4.5 to build something that "shouldn't be possible solo."
- Showcase your project – Submit your repository, a demo video, and a screenshot for the community to vote.
- Earn recognition – Win a badge, grid spot, and writeup if your build tops the vote.
How does Hackyard work?
- Sign up – Log in with GitHub or email and claim a spot in an upcoming Yard before it fills.
- Build – When the Yard starts, the theme and model are revealed. You have 48 hours to build a solo project.
- Ship – Upload your repo link, a demo video, and a screenshot. Then vote on other projects during a judging window.
Pricing
Hackyard is completely free to use. The platform explicitly states "No. Never will." in response to a question about cost.
FAQ
What is a Yard?
A Yard is a small pop-up hackathon on Hackyard. A model and theme are announced, a capped group of builders (20-100) builds over a weekend, and everyone ships.
How many people get in?
Each Yard has a capacity between 20 and 100 builders. When a Yard fills up, you must wait for the next one.
Does it cost anything?
No. Hackyard is free and will remain free, as stated on the site.
Can I use any AI model?
No. Each Yard specifies the AI model to use (e.g., Grok 4.5). Everyone builds with the same model so the focus is on creativity, not model access.
Can I form a team?
Not in the current version (v1). Only solo builders are allowed. The platform encourages individuals to see what they can create alone in 48 hours.
