This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience
Modern CLI tools average 2,400 lines of code with 137 dependencies (npm audit, 2024). Yet analysis shows 89% of core functionality fits within 200 lines when properly architected.
72-hour Virtual CLI Development Challenge
Every line counts. Make them all matter.
The Constraint Reality
This challenge explores the intersection of language verbosity and functional density — proving that line limits force superior engineering decisions.
0%
scroll-progress
Terminal
Toolbox
Toolbox
Terminal
Format:
72-hour Virtual CLI Development Challenge
PRICe:
$2,000
Event Date:
September
26-29, 2025
26-29, 2025
Power
Minimal
Code
Core Challenge
For experienced developers only: Build production-grade CLI tools in exactly your language's line limit over 72 hours. Master constraint-driven architecture, leverage advanced language idioms, and demonstrate expert-level code density. No padding, no compression — just pure efficiency within each language's natural constraints.
The Language Matrix
Simple Rules
That's it. No complex requirements. The line limit is constraint enough.
- Count only executable lines (skip comments and blank lines)
- Hit your exact line count—not one more, not one less
- Make it actually useful
- Include basic help/usage
- Handle errors gracefully
Example Project Domains
Build any CLI tool you want—these are just ideas:
- File manipulation utilities
- Git workflow enhancers
- System monitoring tools
- Text processing scripts
- API testing clients
- Database utilities
- Log analyzers
- Development helpers
- Network diagnostics
- Data converters
Impact
Size
Code
The Numbers Behind Line Limits
(GitHub Study, 2024)
67% of successful CLI tools fit their core logic in under 500 lines
(LLVM Stats, 2024)
C programs under 1000 lines compile 8x faster
(PyCon Analysis, 2024)
Python readability peaks at 200-300 lines per module
(Google SRE, 2024)
Bash scripts exceeding 100 lines have 4.3x higher defect density
72-Hour Development Arc
Dates & Time
Phase
Sep 26 — 27,
18:00 UTC
18:00 UTC
Design:
Architecture decisions that fit constraints
Architecture decisions that fit constraints
Sep 27 — 28,
18:00 UTC
18:00 UTC
Implementation:
Core functionality within line budget
Core functionality within line budget
Sep 28 — 29,
18:00 UTC
18:00 UTC
Refinement:
Polish, test, document
Polish, test, document
Evaluation Framework
Creative Constraint Solutions
(Coefficient: 1.0)
(Coefficient: 1.0)
- Clever approaches to limitations
- Innovative feature packing
- Unexpected functionality achieved
Engineering Craft (Coefficient: 1.2)
- Idiomatic language use
- Clear architectural choices
- Maintainable despite constraints
- Performance consciousness
- Solves real developer problems
- Actually works as intended
- Handles edge cases gracefully
- Practical daily use potential
Tool Utility (Coefficient: 1.3)
- Exact adherence to limit
- Code density without obscurity
- Efficient use of language features
- No wasted lines
Line Discipline
(Coefficient: 1.5)
(Coefficient: 1.5)
Security
Speed
Cost
Economic Impact
2.8x
improved developer onboarding time
93%
fewer security vulnerabilities
5.2x
aster deployment cycles
71%
reduction in maintenance costs
Constrained development practices demonstrate:
The global software industry loses $ 84 billion annually to over-engineering (Standish Group, 2024).
$300
Developer-voted favorite
Community Choice:
$200
Best use of specific language idioms
Language Excellence:
$200
Solid implementation and clever solutions
Third Place
$300
Second Place
Strong execution within limitations
$1,000
First Place
Mastery of constraints with exceptional utility
Prize Allocation
Total Pool: $2,000
Event Timeline
Registration Opens
August 15, 2025
Registration Deadline
September 26, 2025 (Friday)
at 18:00 UTC
at 18:00 UTC
Hackathon Start
September 26, 2025 (Friday)
at 18:00 UTC
at 18:00 UTC
Submission Deadline
September 29, 2025 (Monday)
at 18:00 UTC
at 18:00 UTC
Judging Period
September 29 — October 6, 2025
Winners Announced
October 6, 2025 (Monday)
Registration Opens
August 15, 2025
Registration Deadline
September 26, 2025 (Friday)
at 18:00 UTC
at 18:00 UTC
Hackathon Start
September 26, 2025 (Friday)
at 18:00 UTC
at 18:00 UTC
Submission Deadline
September 29, 2025 (Monday)
at 18:00 UTC
at 18:00 UTC
Judging Period
September 29 — October 6, 2025
Winners Announced
October 6, 2025 (Monday)
Value
Limits
Standards
(PowerShell Blog, 2024)
Microsoft's PowerShell team enforces 500-line module limits
(AWS Best Practices, 2024)
Amazon mandates sub-1000 line services for Lambda
(Google Engineering, 2024)
Google's internal tools follow strict line limits
Major tech companies increasingly value constraint-driven development:
Professional Relevance
Judging
Panel Profile
Panel Profile
Industry professionals with deep CLI tool experience:
Judging
Panel Profile
Panel Profile
Industry professionals with deep CLI tool experience:
Average experience: 18 years in systems software development.
- Core maintainers from GNU coreutils
- Terminal emulator developers
- DevOps tooling architects
- Systems programming specialists
- Package manager maintainers
Getting Started
If it doesn’t match exactly, keep refactoring. That’s the game.
Pick your language. Count your lines. Build something developers actually need.
#!/bin/sh
# The moment of truth:
$ cat solution.py | grep -v '^\s*$\|^\s*#' | wc -l | grep 250
250
# The moment of truth:
$ cat solution.py | grep -v '^\s*$\|^\s*#' | wc -l | grep 250
250
Expert Panel
Community Interest Company — 15557917
Organised by Hackathon Raptors
Community & Resources
Organized solely for social good [and fun] and designed by Hackathon Raptors. A non-profit community — UK [C.I.C] — 15 557 917.
Official website: raptors.dev
E-mail: hello@raptors.dev
LinkedIn: Hackathon Raptors
Discord: Hackathon Raptors
E-mail: hello@raptors.dev
LinkedIn: Hackathon Raptors
Discord: Hackathon Raptors
