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

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.

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.