Leaderboard-Pro: My Open Source Journey

by Yuvraj Rathod — 7/3/2025

Project Idea 💡

This project consists of a website where users can compare their rankings on Codeforces, LeetCode, CodeChef, and their GitHub contributions with their peers. The frontend is built using React, while the backend is powered by Django, with Supabase as the database service.

I worked on both the frontend and backend, implementing several features over a four-week period. The selection for this project was done based on proposal submissions. I submitted two proposals, and my proposal for Leaderboard-Pro was selected.

How I Got Started 🚀

I was informed about this program from my college's web development club, Metis. I applied by submitting two proposals—one for Leaderboard-Pro and another for CCPS. The Leaderboard-Pro proposal was accepted, marking the start of my incredible open-source journey.

To manage my work efficiently, I divided my tasks into four weeks, setting specific goals for each week. You can find my proposal here.

My Contributions 💻

Week 1: Google Authentication 🔑

  • Implemented Google authentication with email login and signup using Firebase.
  • Faced issues in authentication setting due to older version of dependencies.
  • Spent a lot of time in debugging and discovering that dependency versions which were causing the issue.
  • Updated all dependencies to their latest versions and modified the package file to prevent future compatibility issues.

Week 2: Fixing Legacy Code & API Development 🔄

  • After updating dependencies, I found that the React codebase was written in an older version, causing syntax errors.
  • Spent 1-2 days for identifying and fixing syntax changes across the codebase.
  • Initially I planned to follow my proposal, but my mentor advised me to work on fetching data from different platforms.
  • Developed four APIs for Codeforces, LeetCode, GitHub, and CodeChef.
  • Since no one was available to assist with the frontend, I also modified and updated the frontend accordingly.

Week 3: Progress Tracker 📊

  • Started working on the Progress Tracker as suggested by my mentor.
  • This was the most challenging part of my project, as it required:
    • Creating a new model to store user tasks.
    • Developing new APIs for tracking user progress across different platforms.
  • Worked extensively on both frontend and backend, which consumed a lot of time.
  • Spent 2-3 days debugging issues caused by mismatched variable names in the old codebase and database objects.

Week 4: Discussion Forum 💬

  • Completed the remaining tasks of the Progress Tracker.
  • Began working on the Discussion Forum, where users can discuss doubts and queries.
  • Collaborated with another team member who worked on the frontend.
  • Faced integration challenges as the frontend wasn’t structured to directly connect with APIs, requiring additional modifications.
  • Reworked the frontend and implemented the backend for seamless integration.

Challenges Faced 🤯

  • Solo Development: No active working partner for most of the project, as the other selected contributor started late (end of Week 3).
  • Outdated Codebase: The existing code was written 2-3 years ago with very old dependencies, causing major issues while integrating Google authentication.
  • Dependency Issues: Had to spend significant time updating and refactoring old code to align with the latest versions.
  • Balancing Academics & Project: Managing work alongside exams in ending of February and starting of March was quite challenging.

What I Gained 📈

  • Improved my MERN stack skills.
  • Advanced my Django expertise.
  • Significantly enhanced my debugging skills.
  • Developed a deeper understanding of open-source contributions.
  • Learned to work with peers and mentors remotely.
  • Gained experience in giving effective project demos and writing structured blog posts.
  • Learned how to write impressive project proposals.

You can see demo of this project in this Video.

This was an unforgettable journey of learning and growth! 🚀

If you're interested in contributing to FOSS Overflow, I highly recommend to join! You can check out my project here and start your own journey in open-source development! Feel free to contact me on LinkedIn or Instagram for any queries or collaborations. 😄