Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about freeCodeCamp.org's open-source codebase and curriculum

Getting Started

What is freeCodeCamp? +

freeCodeCamp is a donor-supported 501(c)(3) charity that helps millions of busy adults transition into tech. We offer a free, self-paced curriculum covering full-stack web development, machine learning, and other technical skills. Our community has already helped over 100,000 people get their first developer job.

How do I get started with freeCodeCamp? +

Getting started is easy! Visit freeCodeCamp.apposters.com and create a free account. Our curriculum is structured into certifications that you can complete at your own pace. Start with the Responsive Web Design certification to build a strong foundation.

Is the curriculum really free? +

Yes, all our learning resources, certifications, and projects are completely free forever. We're funded by generous donations from our community and corporate partners. We believe everyone should have access to high-quality tech education regardless of their financial situation.

Technical Details

What technologies are used in the codebase? +

The main codebase is primarily written in TypeScript. We use modern web technologies including React, Node.js, Express, and MongoDB. Our curriculum covers JavaScript, Python, SQL, and various front-end and back-end frameworks.

What is the repository structure? +

The repository contains the full codebase for the freeCodeCamp platform. Key directories include:

  • /curriculum - Contains all learning resources and certification content
  • /server - Backend server code and API endpoints
  • /client - Frontend React application code
  • /tests - Test suites for the platform
How is the platform deployed? +

freeCodeCamp.org is deployed on a cloud infrastructure using containerized applications. We use continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines to ensure smooth updates. The platform is designed to be highly available and scalable to serve our global community.

Community & Support

How large is the freeCodeCamp community? +

freeCodeCamp has a massive global community with:

  • Over 447,000 stars and watchers on GitHub
  • 44,965 forks of the repository
  • 8,636 GitHub subscribers
  • Over 100,000 graduates who got their first developer jobs
Where can I get help if I'm stuck? +

We have several active community support channels:

Contributing

How can I contribute to freeCodeCamp? +

We welcome all contributions! You can help by:

  • Reporting bugs and suggesting improvements
  • Creating new certification content or projects
  • Translating content to other languages
  • Helping in the community forum
  • Contributing to our open-source codebase

Visit contribute.freecodecamp.org for detailed guides on how to get started.

Is this repository beginner-friendly? +

Yes! We're proud to be a first-timers-only friendly repository. We have special labels and issues designed for newcomers to open-source. Our community is very welcoming and provides detailed guidance for first-time contributors.

Certifications

What certifications are available? +

We offer several developer certifications:

  • Responsive Web Design
  • JavaScript
  • Front-End Development Libraries
  • Python
  • Relational Databases
  • Back-End Development and APIs

We also offer language certifications in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Each certification requires completing projects and passing an exam.

How do I earn a certification? +

To earn a certification:

  1. Complete all interactive lessons and coding challenges
  2. Build all required projects
  3. Pass the final exam
  4. Submit your certification claim

Certifications are verified and permanent. You can link them from your LinkedIn or resume.

License & Terms

What is the license for this repository? +

The codebase is licensed under the BSD-3-Clause "New" or "Revised" License. The learning resources in the /curriculum directory are copyright © 2014 freeCodeCamp.org. All content is available for free use with proper attribution.

What is your academic honesty policy? +

We take academic honesty seriously. If we discover plagiarism (submitting others' work as your own), we will revoke certifications and ban offenders from the platform. We use automated systems and manual reviews to detect violations. Our goal is to maintain the integrity of our certifications.

447,416
Stars & Watchers
44,965
Forks
8,634
Subscribers
TypeScript
Primary Language