Hackyard

Solo builders who want to practice shipping with AI tools often lack a structured, low-stakes event to push them to build and finish something in a short timeframe. Traditional hackathons tend to require teams, judges, and gatekeeping around which tools or models are allowed. Hackyard's text frames this directly by offering solo-only participation, no judges, and open model choice, implying the alternative is team-based events with gatekeepers deciding winners.

Hackyard runs recurring themed hackathons called Yards, held the 1st and 3rd week of each month, capped at a small number of spots (40 in the current round). Builders claim a spot, check in before kickoff on Monday, build solo all week using any AI model, and ship a repo plus a demo by Friday. Over the weekend the community votes, and a Champion is crowned Sunday, winning a badge, Hall of Fame placement, a featured writeup, and sometimes a cash prize and physical item like a hoodie, as well as the ability to pick the next Yard's theme. The site also supports sponsorships and advertising slots placed around the hackathon pages.