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The Full [Stack] Challenge

The Full [Stack] Challenge

That word is your creative prompt. Whether you get Garden, Compass, Puzzle, or Journey, interpret it however you want and build a full-stack application on AWS around it. 

Sean Boult

Developer. Hacker. Creator.
Description: The Full Stack Challenge is a 48-hour build sprint where you turn one random word into a deployed full-stack AWS app and earn up to $200 in AWS credits.
Please read the  full terms and conditions  for eligibly requirements.

Curve Balls
  • 🌞🌚 if you add dark mode to your project to earn an additional $25 AWS credits.
  • 🎬 You need a demo, at least it's not a live demo. Record a 60-second video walkthrough of your app and embed it into your article to earn an additional $25 AWS credits.

The Full Stack Challenge is officially live!
You spent six weeks watching The Full Stack on  codetv.dev , learning to pitch an idea, build a prototype, ship an MVP, polish the UX and launch a product. Now's your opportunity to put it all together.
You got 48 hours... one random word... one full-stack app. Show us what you learned!

How It Works 

Head to  the PartyRock word generator  to get a random word. Maybe you get a word like Garden, Compass, Puzzle, or Journey, but that word is going to serve as your creative prompt. Interpret it however you like, then come back to this blog and drop a comment with the full-stack AWS application idea you want to build around it. Here are the complete challenge steps:
  1. Watch the Finale. Catch The Full Stack Episode 6 on  codetv.dev  on August 19 at 6pm PT. 
  1. Submit your idea. Comment on this article within 12 hours of the episode. Earn $50 in AWS credits. 
  1. Build and ship. You have 48 hours in total. Deploy your app on AWS and publish your article on  Builder Center  with “The Full Stack Challenge - [name of your article]” to earn $100 more. 
  1. Entry Submission. Once your app is built and your Builder Center article is published,  submit your entry here  with your name, email, country and article link.

Earn AWS Credits 

Participants earn AWS credits by completing milestones within the 48-hour window: 
Submit your idea: $50 (Within 12 hours of launch (Aug 20, 12pm PT to Aug 21, 12am PT) 
Ship your app: $100 (By deadline Aug 21 at 12pm PT) 
Maximum per participant: $150 (plus surprise bonus opportunities announced mid-challenge)
Distribution method: Via email upon verification of milestone completion 

What to Build With 

You can use any AWS services, but here are some that fit a full-stack build: 
  • AWS Amplify for full-stack deployment, hosting, auth, and CI/CD 
  • Amazon Bedrock for generative AI features 
  • AWS AppSync for real-time data with GraphQL 
  • Amazon CloudFront for global CDN 
  • Amazon S3 for static assets and storage 
  • Amazon Cognito for authentication 
  • AWS Lambda for serverless backend logic 
  • Amazon API Gateway for API integration 
New to AWS?  AWS Free Tier  accounts get access to credits covering many of these services. 

Article Requirements 

Your submission is a Builder Center article (minimum 500 words). Include: 
  • Title: "Full Stack Challenge: [Name of Your App]" 
  • Vision and What It Does: The purpose of your app, the problem it solves, and who it's for 
  • Full Stack Breakdown: How your app connects to what you learned across the series (pitch, prototype, MVP, UX, launch) 
  • How You Built It: Development process, key decisions, challenges, and how you overcame them 
  • AWS Services / Architecture: List AWS services used and provide an architecture overview 
  • What You Learned: Reflect on new skills, services, or approaches discovered 
  • Link to App or Repo: Working link to your deployed app or a public GitHub repository 

Key Dates 

  • Challenge launches: August 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM PT 
  • Idea submission closes: August 20, 2026 at 12:00 AM PT 
  • Challenge deadline: August 21, 2026 at 12:00 PM PT 
  • Credits distributed: Within one week of deadline 

Entry Submission

Once your app is built and your Builder Center article is published,  submit your entry here  with your name, email, country and article link.

Are You Ready? 

Watch the finale, get your word, comment your idea, and go build something!
Any opinions in this article are those of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of AWS.
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