FAQ

I'm a complete beginner. Can I still join?

Absolutely! We have beginner-friendly guided projects and a community where you can ask for help anytime.

Who can participate?

You must be a teenager between the ages of 13 and 18, and under 19 before August 2026.

Is this really free?

Yes! The program is 100% free. We'll fund your projects and cover the trip.

What kind of projects can I build?

Anything you want! Personal websites, games, apps, hardware projects. As long as you're learning and building, it counts.

What is Hack Club?

Hack Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 81-2908499) that helps high school students learn to code and build projects. We're the largest teen-led coding community, with over 50,000 students building with friends each year.

I have more questions!

Ask us in #macondo on the Hack Club Slack, or email us at macondo@hackclub.com!

Can I make a hardware or CAD project and ship it without printing?

You gotta print it! Whether it’s a 3D model, keychain, or organizer, you need to physically print it and share a photo to ship it.

Do I need to journal for software projects?

Nope, journals are optional for software but they help reviewers understand your work faster. You can use Hackatime or Lapse to track hours, and journal if you want to back hours you couldn't with Hackatime or Lapse.

Can I use hours from a project I started before Macondo?

Yep! If your project shows up in Hackatime and you haven’t submitted it elsewhere, all your past hours count. Just make sure it’s updated and you journal progress.

Can I submit a project I started before Macondo began?

Yes! If your project is tracked on Hackatime and hasn’t been submitted elsewhere, you can add it here. Just make sure to keep working on it and journal your progress.

Can I ship the same project twice?

Yes! You can ship updates as long as they’re significant and marked as updates. The system auto-detects them, so just keep building and improving!

Do I get grants instead of shipped items?

Grants are only for places where shipping isn’t possible. If shipping works, we send your item! But if customs are a hassle, we’ll convert it to a grant automatically.

How do I maintain my streak?

Just code for at least one hour each day using Hackatime! Your streak updates automatically, no journaling needed for software. If you miss a day, use a streak freeze to keep it going.

Why does my total time show more than what I logged in Hackatime?

Your journal hours are added to your Hackatime hours! If you journal software time, set it to 0 hours. Art or design time can be logged in journals, but not code time you already tracked.

Can I ship a project I started on another program like Flavortown?

Yes! Just make sure to note in your project that it’s an update from another program, and don’t log hours you already used there. Reviewers will adjust accordingly.

What should I put for a demo link on a hardware project?

Upload a video of your hardware working to GitHub and paste the link. No need for a playable game, just show your project in action, like a robot moving or a circuit lighting up.

Do I need to journal for software projects to keep my streak?

You don’t need to journal for software projects to ship them, but you do need to log at least 1 hour of Hackatime each day to keep your streak alive. Journaling helps reviewers understand your work better!

Can I get a grant instead of having items shipped?

Yes! If shipping is tricky (like customs fees), you can request a grant instead. Grants are given when shipping isn’t possible, or if you’d rather avoid the hassle. Just ask in the shop or DM support!

Do I get fruits if I use a hardware grant?

Yes! You get a grant card for parts, and any extra hours you spend designing get turned into pending fruits. You’ll unlock them after you finish building your project.

Can I journal time I spent learning, like watching videos or reading docs?

Yes! Journal time spent learning, even if you didn’t code. Write what you learned, add screenshots, and set hours to 0. It helps reviewers understand your progress and keeps your streak alive!

How do I keep my daily streak going?

Code for at least 1 hour each day on your project. If you miss a day, you can freeze your streak. Don’t worry, your hours don’t reset!

When is the Macondo event ending?

Macondo ends in late August, so you've got plenty of time to finish your project. Start now and take it slow, you got this!

Can I make a project based on an open-source design?

You can use open-source designs as inspiration, but your project must be unique. Add your own twist, change parts, add features, or improve the design.

Can I use Shapr3D for CAD projects?

Shapr3D is allowed if you submit the .shapr source file and a STEP file. But we recommend Onshape or Fusion 360, it’s easier for reviewers to check.

Can I use my own hardware parts I already own for a project?

Yes! You can use parts you already have. Just make sure they’re common and easy to find. Your grant covers what you still need to buy.

Can I reship my project after it’s approved?

Yes! You can reship your project as many times as you want. Just mark it as an update and mention what you changed. Only the new hours will count!

Can I use a project I made before Flavortown or another event?

Yes! You can upgrade old projects, but only journal new work done after April 20th. Mark it as an update, explain what changed, and don’t count hours you already got paid for.

How do I get funding for my hardware project?

Create a BOM (bill of materials) with the parts you need, add screenshots of your cart, and submit your project. If approved, you’ll get a grant card to buy them, no need to pay upfront!

Why are some items like the Flipper Zero not available in my region?

Some items can’t be shipped to certain regions due to local laws or customs rules. We try to find local sellers, but sometimes it’s just not possible. Suggest alternatives, we review them weekly!

Can I use AI in my project? Are there limits?

You can use AI, but you’re expected to build most of it yourself, AI helps with ideas or editing, not doing the whole project. Projects that are fully vibe coded or generated by AI will be rejected.