I Replaced the Database With a JSON File to Build the Platform That Will Judge Me

Description and use

JudgeForge replaces a database with JSON files, enabling instant startup via Docker Compose and ensuring reliable operation without external services.

Problem

Build a submission-and-judging platform that can be run with a single command on a laptop and be trusted to produce accurate scores.

Outcome

JudgeForge runs fully from a single command, uses JSON for persistence to avoid database failures, and passes all spec tiers T1–T4 with documented verification.

Workflow

• 1. Clone the repository
• 2. Run docker compose up to build and start containers
• 3. Access the platform at http://localhost:8080
• 4. Verify that the stack runs without external services after building images
• 5. Test clean‑clone deployment by disabling network and restarting with docker compose up -d --no-build

Evidence

Decision #1: no database

Source

Zero setup: docker compose up and it's live

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The hardest part of this build wasn’t adding another feature. It was proving the platform behaved the way the hackathon required.

Source

I started with a mistake: I read "offline" too literally. I spent time worrying that the very first docker compose up had to work with no network at all.

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