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Feb 3, 2026
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[Documentation] update project ideas #725

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128 changes: 83 additions & 45 deletions _docs/developer/getting_started/project_ideas.md
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Expand Up @@ -21,17 +21,35 @@ redirect_from:
[comment]: <> for Summer 20XX Google Summer of Code will be announced in late
[comment]: <> February.


---

_Submitty has been a participating organization of
[Google Summer of Code](/developer/google_summer_of_code/index)
for six successful
seasons. We have applied for selection for
[GSoC Summer 2026](https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/)
and our Project Ideas
list below has been updated. The organizations selected for Summer
2026 Google Summer of Code will be announced in
[late February](https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/timeline)._

---

The project ideas listed below target a variety of different topics
and require different levels of prior experience. The scope of these
projects varies, and may require different overall time commitments
(varying full-time-work-equivalent from 1 month to 3 months). We are
also interested in project proposals based on other topics from our
list of open bugs and feature requests. Submit questions or comments
on specific issues through our [Submitty GitHub Issue
Tracker](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/issues) and
join
our [Zulip server](/contact) to meet the Submitty mentors and other new
developers.
list of open bugs and feature requests.

Prospective Submitty contributers are encouraged to
join our
[Zulip server](/contact) to meet the Submitty mentors and other new
developers. You may also submit questions or comments
on specific issues through our
[Submitty GitHub Issue Tracker](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/issues).



&nbsp;
Expand All @@ -41,8 +59,9 @@ developers.

Submitty primarily uses server-side rendering via Twig. jQuery is
used extensively throughout the site to add interactivity, but it
is insufficient for the most complex pages. Instead, we think
Vue.js is a better path forward for pages such as the TA grading
is insufficient for the most complex pages. Instead, we we are moving
forward with a redesign and refactor to
[Vue.js](https://vuejs.org/) for pages such as the TA grading
interface, discussion forum, office hours queue, and rainbow grades
customization interface. The goal of this project is to explore
how we can add and improve interactivity to specific pages and
Expand All @@ -58,14 +77,14 @@ developers.
experience architecting a key part of a large project, and grow their
knowledge of modern web frameworks.

[Ongoing Work to Incorporate Vue.js](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/pulls?q=is%3Apr+vue+is%3Aclosed+)
[Recent & Ongoing Work to Incorporate Vue.js](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/pulls?q=is%3Apr+vue)
[Open Issues related to Vue.js](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20state%3Aopen%20vue%20)

_Skills & Experience Required_: Moderate to advanced programming
skills, preferably with experience using modern client-side web
frameworks.

_Possible Mentors_: William Allen, Shail Patel, Chris Reed, Barb Cutler
_Possible Mentors_: Justin Manion, William Allen, Chris Reed, Barb Cutler
_GSoC Project Size_: 175 or 350 hours
_Difficulty Level_: medium to challenging

Expand All @@ -79,16 +98,24 @@ developers.

Our TA grading interface is elaborate, highly-featured, and
customizable. However, the interface is visually overwhelming to
new graders and some of our TA grading features are not adequately
tested by automated unit and end-to-end (Cypress) regression testing.
new graders and new instructors. We would like to simplify the
default environment configuration and improve the on-page
documentation to make Submitty more intuitive for new users.

Furthermore, some of our TA grading features are not adequately
tested by automated unit and end-to-end (Cypress) regression
testing. Our development environment includes a large variety of
synthetic data for testing, but the coverage of that data for our
large and growing feature set is incomplete. The scripts to
randomly generate this synthetic data should be refactored to allow
for more flexibility and control to ensure we can adequately test
all new and existing functionality.

[Open Issues related to TA Grading](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+label%3A%22TA+Grading+%2F+TA+UI%22)
[Open Issues related to Sample Data](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+label%3A%22Sample+Data%22)
[Open Issues related to Synthetic Sample Data](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+label%3A%22Sample+Data%22)
[Related Prior GSoC Project: Cameron Peterson](/developer/google_summer_of_code/2023_Cameron_Peterson)
[Related Prior GSoC Project: Rahul Vishwakarma](/developer/google_summer_of_code/2024_Rahul_Vishwakarma)

_Note: This project may be combined with the previous project idea._

_Expected Outcomes_: The primary goals for this project include the
expansion of our automated testing of the TA Grading pages and to
patch bugs uncovered by this improved testing. The project may be
Expand All @@ -114,17 +141,25 @@ developers.

[Overview of Rubric Grading Interface](/grader/rubric_grading/index)

_Note: This project may be combined with one of the previous project ideas._

The Manual/TA rubric grading interface is elaborate,
highly-featured, and customizable; however, the performance of
these webpages is problematic for large courses due to inefficient
database queries and server communication delays to load data that
could/should be asynchronous. The manual/TA rubric pages could
benefit from a significant technology refactor to use Vue/Vite, for
example.
benefit from a significant technology refactor to use
[Vue.js](https://vuejs.org/), for example.

We also have quality of life and efficiency feature requests for
_power user_ graders and instructors teaching large enrollment
courses with a sizeable team of teaching assistants and graders.
Some of the advanced features include: Automated redaction of
student names to facilitate anonymized grading, dynamic indicators
to show when another grader is actively viewing/grading this
student, and streamlining grading by showing individual pages of a
student exam rather than the entire .pdf.

[Open Issues related to TA Grading](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+label%3A%22TA+Grading+%2F+TA+UI%22)
[Open Issues related to TA Grading](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+label%3A%22TA+Grading+%2F+TA+UI%22)
[Related Prior RCOS Project: Alexander Lavallee](/developer/rensselaer_center_for_open_source/2025_Alexander_Lavallee)

_Expected Outcomes_: This project would first prepare a detailed
software design plan for an organized, multi-stage incremental
Expand All @@ -142,7 +177,7 @@ developers.
_Skills & Experience Required_: Web and database development
experience and general software design and implementation
experience. Experience with end-to-end automated testing (Cypress)
and and having served as a teaching assistant with grading
and having served as a teaching assistant with grading
experience design is beneficial but not required.

_Possible Mentors_: William Allen, Barb Cutler
Expand All @@ -157,16 +192,16 @@ developers.
Our system for automated testing and grading of student work is
very powerful, but the configuration process that instructors must
navigate is complex and time-consuming. While we provide a number
of examples, the number of choices for development of an
autograding configuration is overwhelming. The primary method for
creating an autograding configuration is to prepare a `config.json`
file (and any necessary additional files) and upload or store these
files on the server file system. We have a prototype Web GUI
interface we call the "Notebook Builder" but the current state of
the feature is undocumented and functionality is limited. We
would like to improve and expand this feature to facilitate
instructor creation of basic and moderate complexity autograding
configurations.
of illustrative examples, the development of a new autograding
configuration is overwhelming -- even for an instructor with prior
experience. The primary method for creating an autograding
configuration is to prepare a `config.json` file (and any necessary
additional files) and upload or store these files on the server
file system. We have a prototype Web GUI interface we call the
"Notebook Builder" but the current state of the feature is
undocumented and functionality is limited. We would like to
improve and expand this feature to facilitate instructor creation
of basic and moderate complexity autograding configurations.

[Assignment Autograding Configuration Instructions](/instructor/autograding/specification)
[Notebook Assignment Configuration](/instructor/assignment_configuration/notebook)
Expand All @@ -179,7 +214,8 @@ developers.

[Open Issues related to Autograding](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/labels/Autograding)
[Open Issues related to Notebook / Notebook Builder](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+label%3A%22Notebook+%2F+Notebook+Builder%22)
[Related Prior GSoC Project: Sahil Suman](/developer/google_summer_of_code/2024_Sahil_Suman)
[Related Prior GSoC Project: Sahil Suman](/developer/google_summer_of_code/2024_Sahil_Suman)
[Related Prior RCOS Project: Justin Manion](/developer/rensselaer_center_for_open_source/2025_Justin_Manion)

_Expected Outcomes_: The primary focus of the project is the
revision and expansion of the Notebook Builder UI to increase the
Expand All @@ -197,16 +233,14 @@ developers.
instructor with experience in programming assignment design will be
beneficial but not required.

_Possible Mentors_: Barb Cutler, Chris Reed
_Possible Mentors_: Justin Manion, Barb Cutler, Chris Reed
_GSoC Project Size_: 90 or 175 or 350 hours
_Difficulty Level_: introductory or medium

&nbsp;

5. **Expansion of Examples and Documentation of Intermediate and Advanced Autograding Features**

_Note: This project is related to previous project idea but is a distinct project._

Our system for automated testing and automated grading of student
work is very powerful and highly-customizable, but the
documentation for our moderate and advanced autograding features is
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -252,7 +286,7 @@ developers.
Having served as a teaching assistant or instructor with experience
in programming assignment design will be beneficial.

_Possible Mentors_: Shail Patel, Chris Reed, Barb Cutler
_Possible Mentors_: Chris Reed, Barb Cutler
_GSoC Project Size_: 175 or 350 hours
_Difficulty Level_: medium to challenging

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -325,9 +359,11 @@ developers.
7. **Other Topics**

The Submitty team welcomes GSoC project proposals on other topics
related to items in our GitHub issue tracker. A successful
application would select one or more issues of moderate scope
proportional to the applicant's time commitment and prior
requested by our student, TA, and instructor users. We track
requests for new features in our
[Submitty GitHub Issue Tracker](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/issues). A
successful application would select one or more issues of moderate
scope proportional to the applicant's time commitment and prior
experience. Be sure to join our [Zulip server](/contact) to meet
the Submitty mentors and other new developers and discuss your
interests and project plans.
Expand All @@ -336,22 +372,24 @@ developers.
willingness to learn web and database development, and additional
specific skills as appropriate.

_Possible Mentors_: Barb Cutler, William Allen, Shail Patel, Cameron Peterson, Chris Reed, Matthew Peveler, Preston Carman
_Possible Mentors_: Barb Cutler, William Allen, Justin Manion, Cameron Peterson, Chris Reed, Shail Patel, Matthew Peveler, Preston Carman
_GSoC Project Size_: 90 or 175 or 350 hours
_Difficulty Level_: introductory to medium to challenging

&nbsp;

See also:

* [Submitty GitHub Issue Tracker](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/issues)
* [Suggestions for New Developers](/developer)

* [Developer](/developer) pages
* [Contact Us on Zulip](/contact)

* [Submitty GitHub Issue Tracker](https://github.com/Submitty/Submitty/issues)

* [Review a Pull Request](/developer/getting_started/review_a_pull_request)
* [How to Review a Pull Request](/developer/getting_started/review_a_pull_request)

* [Make a Pull Request](/developer/getting_started/make_a_pull_request)
* [How to Make a Pull Request](/developer/getting_started/make_a_pull_request)

* [Edit Submitty Documentation](/developer/getting_started/edit_submitty_documentation)
* [How to Edit Submitty Documentation](/developer/getting_started/edit_submitty_documentation)


11 changes: 11 additions & 0 deletions _docs/developer/google_summer_of_code/index.md
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[comment]: <> [Google Summer of Code Application](/developer/google_summer_of_code/GSoC_application)


----


_Submitty has applied for acceptance to [Google Summer of Code (GSoC) 2026](https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/).
Project reports from participants in previous summers are linked below. The organizations selected for Summer
2026 Google Summer of Code will be announced in
[late February](https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/timeline)._

---


## Google Summer of Code 2024

* [Streamlining the Notebook Builder UI for Automated Grading by Sahil Suman](/developer/google_summer_of_code/2024_Sahil_Suman)
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