Welcome to Dexie Global Hackathon 25

A global event spanning eight weeks, from February 14 to April 13, 2025. The Dexie Global Hackathon 25 celebrates the thriving Dexie.js and Dexie Cloud community, fostering innovation and driving the development of next-generation offline-first applications.

Dexie.js is a battle-tested IndexedDB wrapper library that developers have trusted for years. With over 12,000 stars on GitHub, 500,000 weekly downloads on npm, and adoption in over 27,000 GitHub repositories, it has become a cornerstone for building robust offline-first solutions. Leading applications like WhatsApp, GitHub, Microsoft To-Do, Wire, and Flightradar24 rely on Dexie.js, affirming its standard-setting approach to offline-first technology.

Building on this strong foundation, Dexie Cloud elevates offline-first applications to the next level by enabling seamless multi-user synchronization with minimal configuration. Integrate Dexie Cloud into your existing Dexie.js setup, and your app can sync data across devices and users in minutes. With features like built-in authentication, advanced access control, and consistent data synchronization, Dexie Cloud empowers developers to create some of the world’s most innovative solutions.

During this hackathon, participants will showcase the power of Dexie.js and Dexie Cloud by building applications that combine offline-first functionality, real-time synchronization, and unparalleled user experiences. Join us in exploring how Dexie Cloud can help you create amazing solutions, seamlessly bridging the gap between offline and online. Push the boundaries of offline-first technology and become part of this incredible community at the Dexie Global Hackathon 25!

Hackathon Highlights

Dexie Global Hackathon 25 is not your typical hackathon. We’re running for eight full weeks, giving you the time and resources to dive deeper, collaborate, and build truly innovative applications. Whether you’re an independent developer or a small team, we invite you to bring your creativity and join us in showing the world what Dexie.js and Dexie Cloud can do.

Why Participate?

• Grow Your Skills: Master offline-first and real-time technologies
• Boost Your Portfolio: Build and showcase innovative projects
• Expand Your Network: Connect with a global community of developers
• Earn Prizes & Recognition: Win licenses, highlight your work, and gain exposure

Key Dates & Rules

• Start: February 14, 2025, at 00:01 GMT
• End: April 13, 2025, at 23:59 GMT
• Total Duration: 8 weeks

The rules are straightforward:

• Your project must use Dexie.js and Dexie Cloud as core components.
• Code must be hosted on GitHub and include a live demo URL.
• Both solo and team entries (up to four people) are welcome.

Participation is free for everyone.

Categories & Judging

We want to recognize exceptional work in different areas. Your submission can qualify for one (or more) of the following categories:

• Best Collaboration App: Real-time collaboration features (e.g., Yjs integration)
• Most Innovative Solution: Novel or unique use of Dexie Cloud
• Best User Experience: Outstanding design, UX/UI
• Rookie Award: Best entry by a newcomer building their first Dexie-powered app
• Trickiest Bug: Most interesting or elusive bug reported in Dexie Cloud (helping us improve the product!)

Judging Criteria

Our jury will evaluate submissions based on:

• Innovation (30%): Uniqueness, creativity, originality
• Technical Execution (30%): Integration of Dexie.js & Dexie Cloud, code quality, stability
• Usability (20%): UI/UX design, overall user experience
• Presentation (20%): Clarity, documentation, demo quality, and project description

Judging Process

1. Initial Screening: After the submission deadline, we verify all entries meet the basic requirements (Dexie.js + Dexie Cloud, working demo, etc.).
2. Jury Evaluation: Each valid entry is scored by members of the jury according to the criteria above. An average score determines the ranking.
3. Finalists: The top-ranked projects in each category advance as finalists.
4. Announcement of Winners: Winners are announced on our website, and newsletter within 2–3 weeks after the deadline. The jury’s decision is final.

The Jury

Submissions are assessed by a panel from the Dexie development team, internal product owners, and invited external experts with extensive experience in offline-first technologies and real-time applications. Together, they form a broad and well-rounded jury to ensure fair and professional evaluations of all submissions.

Prizes

The Dexie Global Hackathon 25 offers valuable awards that go beyond recognition—these prizes deliver tangible benefits through Dexie Cloud services and licenses. Here’s an overview based on current pricing at dexie.org/cloud:

• 1st Place: One On-Prem Gold license + exposure on Dexie’s website & newsletter
  Value: $7,995. This license includes full source code, five years of software updates, one year of Gold Support, and no recurring costs. Perfect for teams that need complete control over their data and deeper integration with Dexie Cloud.
• 2nd Place: 1,000 Dexie Cloud seats for 12 months + exposure
  Value: $1,320. Ideal for scaling your production environment without added cost. Great for real-time collaboration apps with a large user base.
• 3rd Place & Rookie Award: 100 Dexie Cloud seats for 12 months + exposure
  Value: $132. A significant boost for smaller-scale or first-time Dexie Cloud applications.
• Trickiest Bug: 100 Dexie Cloud seats for 12 months + exposure
  Value: $132. Rewarding those who help improve Dexie Cloud by identifying and reporting challenging bugs.
• Biggest Security Hole: 100 Dexie Cloud seats for 12 months + exposure
  Value: $132. A thank-you for proactively uncovering security vulnerabilities that keep Dexie Cloud safe.
• Community Vote: 100 Dexie Cloud seats for 12 months + exposure
  Value: $144. An opportunity to earn Dexie Cloud capacity based on popular vote and show off your project’s community appeal.

At the end of the day, everyone who takes part in Dexie Global Hackathon 25 is a winner—because you’ll walk away with the skills to build powerful offline-first applications using Dexie.js and Dexie Cloud.

For the latest information on Dexie Cloud pricing, including any updates or promotional rates, please see dexie.org/cloud. We can’t wait to see what you build!

(Optional) Dexie Cloud Starter

For a quick start, you can clone our Dexie Starter. This Next.js/TypeScript & MUI–based project comes preconfigured with Dexie Cloud, custom login, sharable spaces, user management, and more—letting you launch a fully functional application in just minutes.

git clone https://github.com/dexie/dexie-cloud-starter.git

Note: If you already have your own project structure or prefer a different tech stack, simply skip this step.

Step 1: Create Your Hackathon Database

To ensure your project is recognized as part of the official hackathon, add the --hackathon  flag when creating your Dexie Cloud database:

npx dexie-cloud create --hackathon

Step 2: Whitelist Your App Origin(s)

Whitelist the domains or ports where your application will run. For local development, for example:

npx dexie-cloud whitelist http://localhost:3000

You can whitelist your production URL later as well.

Step 3: Install Dexie & dexie-cloud-addon

Make sure you have the next version of dexie and dexie-cloud-addon (ensuring all latest features are available).

npm install dexie@next
npm install dexie-cloud-addon@next

If you are using React please run npm install dexie-react-hooks@next

Step 4: Declare your Dexie instance

Configure Dexie to use Dexie Cloud by updating your initialization code:

          import Dexie from "dexie";
import dexieCloud from "dexie-cloud-addon";

const db = new Dexie('MySyncedDB', { addons: [dexieCloud] });

db.version(1).stores({
  yourTable: '@id, ...indexes' // '@' = auto-generated global ID (optional but recommended)
});

db.cloud.configure({
  databaseUrl: "https://<yourdatabase>.dexie.cloud",
  requireAuth: true // (optional. Block DB until authenticated)
});
          
          
        

Read more about authentication, access control, and consistency in the Dexie Cloud documentation.

How to Submit

We will provided a submission form here on this page during the hackathon. Once your project is ready, simply fill out the submission form. Make sure to include a link to your GitHub repo and your working demo or live preview. That’s it!

FAQ & Contact

• Do I need prior experience with Dexie.js? Not necessarily! We offer starter templates and documentation to help you get up to speed quickly.
• Can I start coding before February 14? You can plan, design, and prepare, but official hackathon coding should primarily happen during the event.
• How do I get help or ask questions? Join our Discord channel for Q&A, updates, and networking.

Project Ideas & Inspiration

Wondering how to make the most of Dexie.js and Dexie Cloud? Here are some globally relevant, high-impact ideas to spark your creativity. Pick one or combine multiple concepts to create an innovative solution that appeals to both tech enthusiasts and everyday users:

• AI-Assisted Offline Apps:
  Build solutions that integrate AI models for local inference or real-time recommendations, storing large model weights offline with Dexie Cloud. Only sync incremental updates—perfect for areas with limited connectivity or privacy-focused use cases.
• Blockchain & Decentralized Storage:
  Combine Dexie Cloud’s offline-first capabilities with decentralized ledgers. For example, build a system where transaction data or metadata is cached locally before finalizing on-chain, offering smoother performance and reliability even with flaky network connections.
• Crypto-Enabled Microtransactions & NFT Marketplaces:
  Use Dexie Cloud to store and sync user wallets, NFT metadata, or in-game assets. Create a frictionless experience by letting users browse and transact offline, then syncing changes to the blockchain once they reconnect.
• Real-Time Collaboration Across Devices:
  From co-editing documents to multi-user scheduling or brainstorming boards—let people collaborate seamlessly, even when they lose internet access. Dexie Cloud’s automatic sync ensures everyone stays in sync across desktops and mobiles.
• Offline-First Gaming:
  Develop a game that keeps track of scores, inventory, and progression locally. Dexie Cloud syncs updates whenever players go online, allowing for multiplayer stats, leaderboards, or item trading without requiring persistent connectivity.
• Self-service restaurant menu and ordering app
  Create a self-service restaurant app that allows customers to navigate and place order regardless of network conditions. Let background sync handle the order submission when the network is available.
• Sustainability & Environmental Monitoring:
  Crowdsource sensor data (e.g., air quality, noise levels) and store readings locally. Sync to Dexie Cloud for real-time aggregation and visualization, helping communities and researchers access critical information.
• Healthcare & Telemedicine Solutions:
  Build an offline-first patient-tracking or medication reminder app that syncs only essential data when online. Crucial for remote or emergency scenarios where intermittent connectivity is the norm.
• Educational & Microlearning Platforms:
  Create interactive lesson modules, quizzes, and progress tracking that function entirely offline. When back online, Dexie Cloud syncs scores and new content, bridging the digital divide in education.
• Community-Driven Applications:
  Launch a local news aggregator, volunteer coordination platform, or disaster-relief hub. Offline capture of updates and real-time syncing in Dexie Cloud ensures community members stay informed and engaged.
• Browser Extensions & Cross-Platform Use:
  Extend Dexie Cloud’s functionality to Chrome/Firefox/Edge add-ons, Electron apps, or React Native. Keep user settings, data, or synced features consistent across all devices with minimal overhead.
• Enterprise & B2B Solutions:
  Build internal tools (e.g., CRM, inventory management) that function offline and auto-sync to Dexie Cloud. Great for remote employees and field workers needing reliable data access at all times.
• Security & Data Privacy Enhancements:
  Implement robust encryption or role-based permissions with Dexie Cloud’s built-in access control. Perfect for sensitive apps in finance, healthcare, or legal domains.
• Replacing Big Corp Services Cost-Effectively:
  Showcase how Dexie Cloud can step in as a more affordable real-time backend—covering chat, sync, and notifications—while keeping data local-friendly and ownership flexible.

These are just a few possibilities. Think about real-world problems or fun personal projects you’re passionate about—health, education, gaming, crypto, productivity, creative arts—and apply Dexie Cloud’s offline-first and multi-user sync features to make them truly stand out. We can’t wait to see what you build!

Code of Conduct

We aim to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. By participating in Dexie Global Hackathon, you agree to follow these guidelines:

Expected Behavior

• Respect Others: Treat participants, mentors, and organizers with courtesy.
• Be Inclusive: Support an environment welcoming to all backgrounds and skill levels.
• Collaborate: Provide constructive feedback, share knowledge, and encourage diverse ideas.

Unacceptable Behavior

• Harassment or Discrimination: Offensive comments or intimidation based on personal characteristics.
• Trolling or Abuse: Personal attacks, disrespectful language, or deliberate disruption.
• Unwanted Contact: Stalking, excessive messaging, or making someone feel unsafe.
• Plagiarism or IP Violations: Submitting code, media, or other assets without permission.

Reporting & Consequences

If you witness or experience misconduct, contact us at hackathon@dexie.org or reach out via our official Discord. Organizers may issue warnings, remove participants from communication channels, or disqualify submissions if this Code of Conduct is violated.

Official Disclaimers

Eligibility & Age Requirements

The Dexie Global Hackathon (“Hackathon”) is open to individuals at least 18 years old. Entrants must have internet access, a GitHub account, and the ability to host or demonstrate their application online. This Hackathon is globally available unless local laws prohibit participation. Organizers reserve the right to verify age and eligibility before awarding prizes.

Intellectual Property Ownership

All submissions remain the intellectual property of the participants. By submitting an entry, you warrant that you own or have permission to use all content in your project. You also grant Dexie the right to display your project name, description, screenshots, and demo links for promotional purposes.

Privacy

Dexie collects participant data (e.g., name, email) only for Hackathon administration and communication. We do not sell or share personal data outside Dexie’s scope of operations. By signing up, you consent to receive Hackathon-related emails, including updates and winner announcements. Participants from regions with data protection laws (e.g., GDPR) have the right to request data deletion or exercise other data rights.

Limitations of Liability

The Hackathon is provided “as is,” without warranty of any kind. Dexie is not liable for technical failures, lost data, or similar issues that may affect participation or scoring. By entering, you release Dexie from any claims arising from the Hackathon, including but not limited to personal injury, property damage, or data loss.