Join Us for the 2021 GitHub Actions Hackathon on DEV!
Tags: actionshackathon21, actions, opensource, github
Published: 2021-11-08 17:11:21

---
title: Join Us for the 2021 GitHub Actions Hackathon on DEV!
published: true
description: Join us for this opportunity to build projects with GitHub Actions while earning some fantastic prizes
tags: actionshackathon21, actions, opensource, github
cover_image: https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/22vjowkmnhrtora10bdy.png
---

**For the second year in a row, GitHub will be hosting the "GitHub Actions Hackathon" right here on DEV!**

From now until December 8th, GitHub is offering an unmissable opportunity to utilize GitHub Actions to benefit open source in exchange for prizes. All participants will need to share a DEV post detailing how they created their amazing workflow with GitHub Actions. We can't wait to see what you create!

Read on for more details about GitHub Actions and how you can join the hackathon. 

### What Are GitHub Actions?

[GitHub Actions](https://github.com/features/actions) are individual tasks that allow you to automate and customize your software development workflows. Actions are located in the same place you store code, collaborate with peers, solve issues, and ship open source software — GitHub! 

For this year’s hackathon, we’re encouraging participants to utilize existing GitHub Actions to create workflows that make sense in the real world. While you are free to create a new Action, the emphasis of this contest is to create practical and interesting solutions other developers can utilize to solve problems with open source. We hope you’ll walk away with a greater understanding of the value of GitHub Actions — for you and the open source community. 

We’re excited to see how you approach this challenge. [More on GitHub Actions here](https://docs.github.com/en/actions).

### Categories
**The GitHub Actions Hackathon is calling for projects in these categories:**
> * **Maintainer Must-Haves:** make the lives of open source maintainers easier.
> * **DIY Deployments:** improve the deployment process for open source projects.
> * **Interesting IoT:** cool projects that integrate with IoT
> * **Phone Friendly:** workflows built for Mobile (PWA readiness, iOS/Android)
> * **Wacky Wildcards:** anything that doesn’t fit in the above category (note, truly wacky submissions are encouraged)

### Why Participate?
Following the momentum of Hacktoberfest last month, we wanted to emphasize GitHub Actions are a perfect open source access point. They allow you to create helpful and logical workflows for your everyday life.

**We also think the prizes on offer make for a pretty compelling case to participate in the GitHub Actions Hackathon 2021 😉**

### Prizes 

_**5 Grand Prize Winners**_ (one in each category):
- $1,500 USD gift card or equivalent
- $300 USD credit to the DEV Shop
- GitHub Swag Pack
- DEV Sticker Pack
- DEV “Actions Hackathon 2021” grand prize winner badge

_**Runner-Up Prizes**_ (10 Total):
- $250 USD gift card or equivalent
- $150 USD credit to the DEV Shop
- GitHub Swag Pack
- DEV Sticker Pack
- DEV “Actions Hackathon 2021” runner-up badge

_**Participants**_ (with a valid project):
- DEV Sticker Pack
- DEV “Actions Hackathon 2021” participant profile badge

### How to Participate

There’s already a robust library of [GitHub Actions](https://github.com/actions). So, for the 2021 version of this hackathon, we are challenging you to submit workflows by leveraging [_existing_ actions](https://github.com/marketplace?type=actions). That said, you are free to create custom actions if necessary.

#### In order to submit a valid project, please follow the submission process, and rules below...

#### How To Submit
- Document your project journey along the way with the [#ActionsHackathon21](https://dev.to/t/actionshackathon21) tag.
- Submit your project as a DEV post by filling out [this template](https://dev.to/new/actionshackathon21) to share your workflow/s (.yml) and/or code repository. 
- Please make sure the project links to the appropriate GitHub Actions repository, and includes [an open source license](https://choosealicense.com/) and README.

#### Additional Rules
_NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to 18+. Contest entry period ends December 8, 2021 at 11:59 pm PT. Contest is void where prohibited, or restricted by law or regulation. For Official Rules, see [Contest Announcement Page](https://dev.to/page/actions-hackathon-2021-rules) and [General Contest Official Rules](https://dev.to/page/official-hackathon-rules)._

#### Community Support

The GitHub team will be available to help anyone who runs into issues, or has questions related to GitHub Actions or the hackathon in general. **You can reach the GitHub team by leaving a comment in the [GitHub Actions Hackathon help thread](https://dev.to/devteam/github-actions-hackathon-2021-help-thread-1lk0).**

We also have a [community update thread](https://dev.to/devteam/share-your-github-actions-hackathon-2021-updates-57k) where you can share your ideas, and gather feedback on your submission. You can use this thread to share your progress, generate community excitement, and get feedback from the community.

### Important Dates 🗓
- November 8, 2021: Hackathon Begins!
- December 8, 2021: Hackathon Submission Due at 11:59 PM PST.
- December 17, 2021: Hackathon Winners Announced

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**Have fun with this challenge from our friends at GitHub!**