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Build Dev Tools from Scratch, Advanced Hands-on Programming Challenges for Engineers
We spent 20 hours exploring Codecrafters, and here's what we discovered: this isn't your typical coding course. Instead of watching videos or following tutorials, you're thrown into the deep end, tasked with rebuilding the tools you use every day. Think Git, Docker, Redis, SQLite, each broken down into bite-sized challenges that progressively reveal how these systems actually work under the hood.
What caught our attention immediately was the platform's approach. You choose your programming language (Go, Python, Rust, C++, and more), then work through test-driven challenges locally on your machine. Each challenge mimics real-world workflows, you write code, push via Git, and get instant feedback. It's like having a senior engineer design increasingly complex puzzles that force you to understand, not just copy.
The platform was created by Sarup Banskota (associated with Y Combinator), and has gained traction among engineers at Google, GitHub, and Microsoft. We noticed companies are using it for team upskilling, which speaks volumes about its credibility. The philosophy here is simple: if you can build it, you truly understand it.
At $360 per year (or $30/month billed annually), this sits firmly in the mid-ticket range. For context, that's about the price of three technical books, but you're getting hands-on challenges that would take months to design yourself. Each tool you build becomes a portfolio piece, and more importantly, deep knowledge that sets you apart in technical interviews or system design discussions.
Advanced (Strong Background Or Professional Experience Required)
moderate Moderate (5–10 Hours/Week)
Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)
Learn A New Skill
After analyzing reviews from Product Hunt, tech media, and developer forums, we found the sentiment strongly positive among experienced developers. The platform has carved out a unique niche for engineers who've outgrown beginner content but want to level up their understanding of core tools.
"11/10 recommend for anyone who wants to up-level their coding abilities", Product Hunt reviewer
"Very helpful way to master new languages, especially in a world full of average content", Arshdeep Singh, Product Hunt
"The experience is super hands-on and mimics real-world workflows", Tech.eu
"I finally understand how Git works under the hood, tough but so rewarding", Reddit User
"Great for experienced devs, but not ideal for beginners", Product Hunt reviewer
Reddit discussions reveal interesting patterns. Developers on r/programming and r/learnprogramming describe the experience as "humbling but rewarding." We found multiple threads where engineers share their progress, with comments like "finally understanding Git's internals changed how I debug issues." Quora discussions are lighter but echo similar themes, with senior developers recommending it for mid-level engineers looking to break into senior roles.
Codecrafters delivers on its promise for its target audience, experienced developers seeking deep technical mastery. The positive reviews aren't hype, they're from engineers who've completed challenges and gained genuine understanding. If you're intermediate or above and crave depth over breadth, the consensus is clear: this platform offers unique value.
The main promise, helping engineers "truly understand the inner workings of critical dev tools," aligns perfectly with user experiences. We verified that engineers do build functional versions of these tools, gaining deep understanding in the process.
Started at $30/month billed annually ($360/year) for individual membership. Teams pricing at $39/month per seat annually. No evidence of frequent price changes or promotional gimmicks.
Minimal upselling. Personal and team plans are clearly differentiated. No aggressive push to upgrade or hidden premium features.
Engineers from Google, GitHub, and Microsoft have publicly endorsed the platform. Multiple Product Hunt reviewers cite using their projects in job interviews. Tech.eu confirms major companies use it for team training.
Codecrafters markets itself honestly, focusing on what it actually delivers: deep technical challenges for serious developers. No inflated promises, just clear value proposition.
Codecrafters.io runs smoothly with a clean, distraction-free interface. The Git-based workflow feels natural to developers, integrating seamlessly with existing development practices.
All challenges accessible online. Your code repositories remain yours forever. Content is text and code-based (no videos), which suits the hands-on nature perfectly.
While the website works on mobile, you'll need a proper development environment to complete challenges. This is coding, not content consumption.
Standard development setup: computer, your preferred IDE, Git, and reliable internet for pushing code and receiving feedback.
We found the platform exceptionally well-designed for its purpose. The Git-based workflow isn't just clever, it reinforces real-world practices while you learn. The lack of video content might surprise some, but it forces active engagement. For a platform targeting experienced developers, the delivery method fits perfectly. Only knock: mobile coding isn't practical, but that's hardly surprising.
We dug deep for complaints and found surprisingly few. No patterns of dissatisfaction about content quality or delivery emerged. The main gripes center on difficulty level (too hard for some) and pricing, both of which are clearly communicated upfront.
Here's where we found a yellow flag: Codecrafters explicitly states they don't offer refunds. However, they provide free material to try before upgrading. While not ideal, this transparency counts for something. Users are encouraged to test the waters first.
The marketing refreshingly undersells rather than oversells. They promise to help you "understand the inner workings of tools," not "become a 10x engineer in 30 days." No income claims, no job guarantees, just a focus on building deep technical skills.
Developer communities hold Codecrafters in high regard. We found zero reports of misleading practices, hidden fees, or bait-and-switch tactics. The Y Combinator association adds credibility, as does usage by engineers at major tech companies.
Apart from the no-refund policy (clearly stated upfront), we found no significant red flags. The platform operates with transparency and delivers what it promises.
At $360/year, Codecrafters sits in an interesting spot. It's pricier than most online courses but far cheaper than bootcamps or university courses. We believe it offers strong value for its target audience. You're not paying for videos or lectures, you're paying for carefully crafted challenges that would take months to design yourself. Each completed project becomes a talking point in interviews and a genuine skill differentiator.
After thorough investigation, we can confidently say Codecrafters delivers exceptional value for experienced developers seeking deep technical mastery. Created by Sarup Banskota and backed by Y Combinator, it's earned trust from engineers at top tech companies for good reason.
What sets Codecrafters apart isn't just what you build, but how you build it. The test-driven, Git-based workflow mirrors real development practices while pushing you to understand systems at a fundamental level. Yes, it's challenging. Yes, it requires solid programming foundations. And yes, the no-refund policy might give some pause.
But for developers ready to move beyond surface-level knowledge, we found no better platform at this price point. The $360 annual fee is reasonable considering you're building portfolio-worthy projects while gaining skills that directly impact your market value. Companies like Google and Microsoft don't adopt training platforms lightly, their endorsement speaks volumes.
If you're an intermediate or senior developer feeling stuck, if you want to truly understand the tools you use daily, if you learn best by doing rather than watching, Codecrafters deserves serious consideration. Just be sure to try the free challenges first to confirm it matches your learning style.
Final legitimacy score: 8.5/10 (While it's not made for beginners like Codecademy is, Elite among platforms for its specific niche, with minor deductions only for the no-refund policy)
At $360/year, Codecrafters sits in an interesting spot. It's pricier than most online courses but far cheaper than bootcamps or university courses. We believe it offers strong value for its target audience. You're not paying for videos or lectures, you're paying for carefully crafted challenges that would take months to design yourself. Each completed project becomes a talking point in interviews and a genuine skill differentiator.
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We spent 20 hours exploring Codecrafters, and here's what we discovered: this isn't your typical coding course. Instead of watching videos or followin...
We spent 20 hours exploring Codecrafters, and here's what we discovered: this isn't your typical coding course. Instead of watching videos or followin...
We spent 20 hours exploring Codecrafters, and here's what we discovered: this isn't your typical coding course. Instead of watching videos or followin...
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