1st Place
$5,000 cash prize
Plus 12 months of Kiro Pro Max, a $1,200 value.
Presented by John Crickett, Angie Jones and Gregor Ojstersek
Ready, Spec, Ship Hackathon
Sponsored by Kiro
$9,600
in total prizes
Aug 23
submission deadline
Sept 6
winners announced
Timeline
Key Dates
Dates are for the 2026 Ready, Spec, Ship Hackathon schedule.
Launch
Submissions open
Submission deadline
Judging
Winners announced
Prizes
$9,600 Prize Pool
Cash prizes plus Kiro Pro Max access for the top three projects.
2nd Place
$1,000 cash prize
Plus 12 months of Kiro Pro Max, a $1,200 value.
3rd Place
Kiro Pro Max
12 months of Kiro Pro Max, a $1,200 value.
Challenge
Build any real-world application using Kiro.
The theme is open. Create something that solves a genuine problem and can be run by the judges.
Web App
CLI Tool
Programming Language
AI Agent
API
Automation Tool
Desktop Tool
Mobile Application
Game
- Theme
- Spec to Ship: Build, Test, and Launch with an Agent.
- Tooling
- Projects must be built using Kiro and clearly demonstrate meaningful Kiro use in the README and demo video.
- Quality bar
- Submissions must install or run consistently, match the demo and README, and avoid simulated or hard-coded features presented as working functionality.
- Value
- Projects should demonstrate real-world value and solve a genuine problem.
- Originality
- Work must be original and created during the competition period, with meaningful human direction and responsibility.
- Setup
- Judges must be able to run the project from a complete public repository with clear setup and testing instructions.
How to Submit
Package the project, video, and submission form.
Submissions will be collected through the official Google Form. Submit before August 23, 2026 at 23:59 UTC.
- Code and docs
- Put the project code and documentation in GitHub or a similar public repository that judges can access.
- Demo video
- Upload the demo video to YouTube or a similar video platform. Unlisted is fine, as long as anyone with the link can view it.
- Submission form
- Submit the repository link, demo video link, and required project details through the official Google Form.
Rules and Eligibility
Short rules summary
This is a summary only. Read the full hackathon rules before submitting your entry.
- Submissions
- Submit during the Competition Period, from August 8, 2026 at 00:00 UTC through August 23, 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Each submission needs a public repository, the project's
.kirodirectory, complete README, working demo or test build, demo video, testing instructions, and any required test credentials. - Kiro use
- Every project must be built using Kiro. The README and demo video must show meaningful Kiro usage.
- Judging
- Submissions go through a pass-or-fail eligibility and viability screen, then qualifying projects are scored using the 100-point rubric.
- Evaluation criteria
- Application Quality: 40 pts
- Kiro Usage: 20 pts
- Documentation: 20 pts
- Innovation and Potential: 15 pts
- Presentation: 5 pts
- Eligibility
- Entrants must meet the age of majority where they live. Individual participants and teams of two or three are allowed, except where prohibited by law or conflict rules.
- Original work
- Projects must be original work created during the Competition Period. Open-source libraries, frameworks, development tools, and generic starter templates are allowed.
- Support
- Prior financial or preferential support from the Host, Sponsor, or their affiliates must not create an actual or apparent conflict of interest.
- Access
- Judges must be able to access the repository, demo video, working application or test build, and setup instructions without making a payment.
Join Hackathon
How To Join The Hackathon
Join the Coding Challenges Discord, then head to the #hackathon channel. All verified entries will get free Kiro credits to use during the hackathon, which can be claimed via the Discord server.