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Join the Xano AI-Powered Backend Challenge: $3,000 in Prizes!

AI Summary5 min read

TL;DR

Join the Xano AI-Powered Backend Challenge by Dec 14 to build scalable backends using AI. Winners get $1,500 and prizes. Showcase AI-human collaboration in full-stack apps or public APIs.

Key Takeaways

  • •Build production-ready backends with AI in Xano, focusing on scalability, security, and maintainability.
  • •Two prompts: full-stack applications or public APIs, with judging based on technology use, usability, creativity, and accessibility.
  • •Prizes include $1,500 gift cards, DEV++ memberships, and badges for winners and participants.
  • •Use XanoScript extension in IDEs like VS Code, and submit by Dec 14 after reviewing rules and guidelines.

Tags

xanochallengebackendaiapiXanoAI Backend ChallengeFull-Stack DevelopmentPublic APICoding Contest

We're excited to announce our newest challenge with Xano!

Running through December 14, the Xano AI-Powered Backend Challenge invites you to harness the power of AI to build production-ready backends that are scalable, secure, and maintainable.

Whether you're exploring AI-assisted development, building public APIs, or creating full-stack applications, this challenge is the perfect opportunity to showcase how human expertise transforms AI-generated code into production-ready backends.

We hope you give it a try!

Our Prompts

Full-Stack, AI-First Application

Build a full-stack application where AI jumpstarts your backend development:

  1. Generate your backend using AI within VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or another compatible IDE with the XanoScript extension
  2. Refine and enhance the AI-generated backend in Xano to make it production-ready
  3. Connect a frontend of your choice (we recommend low-code tools like Lovable or WeWeb, but any frontend framework works!)

Full-Stack Submission Template

The goal? Show us how you take AI-generated backend code and transform it into something scalable, secure, and maintainable through thoughtful human refinement.

Please review our judging criteria, rules, guidelines, and FAQ page before submitting so you understand our participation guidelines and official contest rules such as eligibility requirements.

Production-Ready Public API

Build a consumable public API that provides a useful data service for third-party applications. Think creative datasets and services like:

  • Star Wars character information
  • Local building permit laws
  • Sports statistics
  • Or anything else you can imagine!

Public API Submission Template

Your API should be well-documented, properly secured, and ready for real-world use.

Please review our judging criteria, rules, guidelines, and FAQ page before submitting so you understand our participation guidelines and official contest rules such as eligibility requirements.

Judging Criteria and Prizes

Judges will award one winner per prompt based on the following criteria:

  • Use of underlying technology
  • Usability and User Experience
  • Accessibility
  • Creativity

Each prompt winner will each receive:

All Participants with a valid submission will receive a completion badge on their DEV profile.

How To Participate

To participate, you'll need to create a Xano account and publish a post using the appropriate submission template above.

Get Started with Xano

  1. Create a Xano account
  2. Use promo code DEVCHALLENGE-XANO to unlock 1 month free of Xano's Starter plan
  3. Give your workspace a name and create your project!
  4. Familiarize yourself with the UI: the database tab, the API tab, and the AI tab!
  5. Navigate to your instance settings panel: scroll to the bottom to select METADATA API & MCP Server.
  6. Create a new access token, and be sure to copy it!
  7. Inside VSCode or your favorite IDE, install the XanoScript extension, and paste your access token to get started! For both prompts, we want to see the AI-human collaboration process. Your submission should highlight:
  8. The original AI prompt you used to generate your backend
  9. How you refactored the code to be more scalable, secure, or maintainable
  10. The specific value you gained from the AI response (even where it needed refinement)

All projects must be deployed and functional. If your app requires logging in, please provide testing credentials in your submission and/or instructions on how to best test your application for judges.

Get to Know Xano

Xano is an all-in-one backend platform that provides everything you need to build and ship apps and agents — including a managed data layer (Postgres and authentication), a full execution layer for business logic and automation (runtime, workflows, and background jobs), a connectivity and operations layer (API and MCP gateways, integrations, and monitoring), and native support for agent reasoning and LLM integrations. Build and deploy production-grade software — visually, with code, or through AI — and launch in minutes. Connect to any frontend, deploy with one click, and scale to millions of users. Trusted by 100,000+ builders and engineers.

Key Resources

XanoScript VS Code Extension

  • VS Code Marketplace
    • Compatible with VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and other .vsix-compatible IDEs

Learning Resources

NoCodeMBA Tutorial

Important Dates

  • November 26: Xano AI-Powered Backend Challenge begins!
  • December 14: Submissions due at 11:59 PM PST
  • December 23: Winners Announced

We can't wait to see how you combine AI speed with human expertise to build production-ready backends!

Questions about the challenge? Ask them below.

Good luck and happy coding!

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