Koli SA Hackathons Platform Documentation
Comprehensive guide to using and developing with our hackathon management platform.
Table of Contents
Getting Started
Welcome to the Koli SA Hackathons platform! This comprehensive documentation will help you navigate and make the most of our hackathon management system, marketplace, and cipher arena. For technical setup and API details, refer to the GitHub repository.
Platform Overview
Our platform consists of three main components:
- Hackathon Management: Register for hackathons, form teams, and submit projects
- Marketplace: Showcase and discover developer projects and tools
- Cipher Arena: Test your cryptography skills with challenging puzzles
User Guides
Hackathon Participation
Creating an Account
- Visit kolikonnekt.co.za
- Click "Sign in" in the top right
- Choose your preferred authentication method (Google, GitHub, etc.)
- Complete your profile with name, location, skills, and social profiles
Finding Hackathons
- Navigate to the "Hackathons" page from the main menu
- Browse active hackathons by category, date, or difficulty
- Use filters to find hackathons matching your skills
- Click on any hackathon to view timeline, prizes, and requirements
Team Management
Creating a Team
- Go to your dashboard
- Click "Create Team"
- Set team name and requirements
- Share invite link with members
Joining a Team
- Use invite link from team leader
- Review team details
- Accept invitation to join
Project Submission
- Access your registered hackathon from the dashboard
- Click "Submit Project" when ready
- Fill in project details: name, description, GitHub URL, demo URL
- Upload screenshots and specify technology stack
- Save as draft or submit for judging
Marketplace Submission
Understanding the Marketplace
The marketplace allows developers to showcase projects, discover tools, find collaborators, and get community feedback.
Submitting a Project
- Navigate to the "Marketplace" page
- Click "Submit Project" (requires authentication)
- Fill in project details: name, description, category, technologies
- Provide GitHub URL, demo URL, and screenshots
- Set pricing model and license information
Best Practices
- Use clear, descriptive project names and descriptions
- Include high-quality screenshots showing your project in action
- Complete all relevant fields for better discoverability
- Keep projects updated with new features and improvements
- Engage with the community by responding to feedback
Cipher Arena Participation
Difficulty Levels
Easy
Basic cryptography concepts
Medium
Intermediate encryption techniques
Hard
Advanced cryptographic challenges
Elite
Expert-level puzzles
Impossible
Ultimate cryptography challenges
Solving Puzzles
- Navigate to the "Puzzles" page
- Browse available puzzles by difficulty or type
- Click on a puzzle to view encrypted text and clues
- Use provided clues to guide your decryption
- Enter your solution and submit (rate limited)
Scoring System
- XP Rewards: Higher difficulty = more XP points
- Streaks: Build consecutive solve streaks
- Ranks: Progress from Novice to Grandmaster
- Badges: Unlock achievements for milestones
Tips for Success
- Start with easier puzzles to learn patterns
- Use all available clues strategically
- Study basic cryptography concepts
- Take breaks to avoid mental fatigue
- Practice with similar puzzles outside the platform
Need More Help?
This documentation covers the main features and user workflows. For technical implementation details, API specifications, deployment instructions, and development setup, please visit our GitHub repository.