[RFC]: build a developer dashboard for tracking repository build status #142
Labels
2025
2025 GSoC proposal.
received feedback
A proposal which has received feedback.
rfc
Project proposal.
Full name
Pulkit Gupta
University status
Yes
University name
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
University program
Computer Science
Expected graduation
2028
Short biography
I started programming at the age of 15 during the COVID-19 lockdown, guided purely by curiosity and a fascination with how software works. With no formal instruction, I spent countless hours watching tutorials, experimenting with code, and building projects from scratch sometimes coding for over 7 hours a day. Within a year, I had the confidence to take on real-world projects, and a part-time opportunity at a startup soon gave me a glimpse into professional development. That’s when I truly realized how vast the world of software engineering is.
Since then, I’ve developed and deployed production grade systems using a wide range of technologies including JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Node.js, PostgreSQL, Redis, and CI/CD pipelines. My work spans building high-performance web apps, scalable backend architectures, and tools used by thousands of users including AI-driven analytics platforms, trading simulators, and NGO coordination systems. I'm currently pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
I’m passionate about open source, systems design, and numerical computing. I enjoy exploring how code can create real impact at scale, and I’m excited to contribute to the open-source community through Google Summer of Code.
Timezone
Eastern Daylight Time
Contact details
email:[email protected],github:pulkitgupta2
Platform
Mac
Editor
VSCode. I've used it since day one and never really felt the need to switch. It does everything I need, so I haven’t explored other editors much maybe I’m missing out, but VSCode just works for me.
Programming experience
Programming Experience
I've been programming professionally for several years and have built full-scale applications used by thousands of users across different domains like education, investing, and language learning.
At Multibhashi, I contributed to an AI-powered document translation platform that processed 5,000+ files monthly. I also worked on a Flutter-based language learning app built for the Government of India, which helped over 500,000 users learn regional languages. You can find the live app here: Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat – Bhasha Sangam App. Additionally, I developed a study material publishing tool that allowed bulk uploads of PDFs, quizzes, and videos—accessible on the frontend here: Multibhashi Classes.
At Dexter Ventures, I developed a deal-flow management system that syncs over 50,000+ emails monthly, using a Redis-backed queue and AI tagging to identify and prioritize startup leads. I also built a full-stack transaction visualization and tracking platform with Next.js, AdonisJS, and PostgreSQL, used by internal teams to manage a portfolio of 60+ startups. Since this was an internal tool, I can’t provide public access, but you can find screenshots and highlights on my portfolio: pulkit-gupta.com.
One of my most meaningful projects is Mauka, a full-stack platform I designed to connect 500+ volunteers with 50+ NGOs across India. It includes a web app and a mobile app that automate real-time matching based on skills and availability, significantly reducing manual coordination overhead. You can explore the platform here: volunteermauka.in.
I also developed InvestEd, a virtual trading simulator that enables high school students to learn about investing by trading real-time market data with virtual currency. It supported over 1,000 students and was used in a nationwide competition spanning 50+ schools. The platform is available here: edinvest.in.
JavaScript experience
I have over 4 years of experience with JavaScript, and nearly all the projects I've mentioned above—from AI-powered tools and trading simulators to large-scale dashboards—have been built primarily using JavaScript or its superset, TypeScript.
What I love most about JavaScript is how it adopts familiar constructs from languages like Java or C—such as braces for code blocks and structured syntax—but without the heavy boilerplate. When you're building scalable systems, it's important to follow solid practices like modularization, abstraction, and clean separation of concerns. JavaScript supports these patterns well, especially with features like object-oriented programming (classes, inheritance), closures, higher-order functions, and flexible module systems—without the complexity that languages like Java or C++ often introduce.
That said, these same features can quickly become pain points if not used carefully. My least favorite aspect of JavaScript is its lack of strict typing, which can make large codebases fragile and harder to maintain. That’s why I almost always use TypeScript—it brings the type safety and tooling support that JavaScript lacks by default.
On a deeper level, another challenge is how JavaScript handles equality comparisons (== vs ===) and type coercion. These quirks often lead to unexpected behavior and subtle bugs—something that can be especially risky in production-scale applications.
Node.js experience
I've used Node.js as my primary backend runtime for over 4 years not just because it's JavaScript based, but because it aligns well with how I think about building fast, event-driven systems. Beyond writing APIs, I've come to appreciate how flexible and unopinionated Node.js is. it gives me full control over how I architect projects.
Over time, I’ve developed my own structure for organizing Node.js codebases around modularity, domain-driven design, and clear separation of concerns (routing, services, data access, etc.). I’ve also integrated tools like Jest for testing, ESLint/Prettier for consistency, and built CI/CD pipelines to auto-deploy apps via GitHub Actions and PM2 on cloud servers.
I’ve worked with multiple frameworks on top of Node.js—like Express, AdonisJS, and NestJS—depending on the use case.
Node.js has also taught me a lot about performance bottlenecks—how to handle async concurrency, when to offload work to workers, and how to design for fault tolerance.
C/Fortran experience
I don't have any experience with Fortran.
As for C, I haven’t used it in any professional or real-world projects yet, but I’m currently taking a college course that goes in-depth into C programming and low-level systems concepts. Through this, I’ve built a solid foundation in areas like memory management, pointers, bitwise operations, and working directly with the stack/heap. I’m confident in my understanding of core C fundamentals and how low-level concepts tie into system performance and efficiency.
Interest in stdlib
One of the main reasons I chose
stdlib
as one of my GSoC applications is how strongly maintained and well-engineered it is. The level of testing, the consistency in design, and the high standards it sets for code quality are unlike anything I’ve seen in other open-source projects. It made me realize how important things like clean code, rigorous testing, documentation, and structure really are especially when you're building something at scale or for long-term use.Ever since I started coding, I haven’t really had mentors. Most of what I’ve learned has come from exploration, mistakes, and curiosity. But at this point in my journey, I’m looking to learn from the best. That’s what excites me most about contributing to
stdlib
: the opportunity to work within a codebase that sets a high bar, and to grow by understanding how professionals think about architecture, maintainability, and precision.Of course, what also makes
stdlib
stand out is not just how it's built but what it offers. The fact that it brings scientific computing, numerical methods, and advanced statistical tools into the JavaScript ecosystem is huge. It fills a major gap and opens the door to building serious tools like simulation engines, educational apps, and data analysis platforms right in the browser. That’s exactly the kind of impact I want to be part of.Version control
Yes
Contributions to stdlib
I haven’t been able to make any significant contributions yet. So far, I’ve raised one main pull request, which is still pending review, along with a few others for minor documentation and formatting fixes. Here's the list of my contributions so far:
https://github.com/stdlib-js/stdlib/pulls?q=is%3Apr+author%3Apulkitgupta2+
stdlib showcase
stdlib Showcase
I created a Monte Carlo Simulation Playground to demonstrate practical use cases of the
stdlib
.🔗 GitHub Repo
🔗 Demo
Summary of
stdlib
Usage:Random Number Generation
Utilized
@stdlib/random/base/uniform
for robust and reproducible random sampling.Statistical Computation
Used
@stdlib/stats/mean
and@stdlib/stats/variance
to compute the average and variability of steps taken in the Gambler’s Ruin simulation, showcasingstdlib
’s statistical analysis capabilities.Mathematical Functions
Applied
@stdlib/math/base/special/log1p
to generate log-transformed insights of starting funds and goals, supporting future strategy extensions (e.g., Martingale or log-scale modeling).Modules Implemented:
Goals
Abstract
The stdlib project encompasses over 3,500 repositories orchestrated through a centralized repository. While orchestration largely works as intended, build failures do occur, and quickly detecting and resolving them is critical to prevent downstream breakages and ensure ecosystem integrity. This project aims to develop a comprehensive build status dashboard that will provide real-time visibility into repository build statuses across the stdlib ecosystem.
The dashboard will allow stdlib developers to quickly identify failing builds, access relevant error information, and navigate to associated resources. By implementing an efficient backend with a hybrid caching architecture and a responsive, information-dense frontend, the project will create a developer tool that significantly improves the monitoring and maintenance workflow for the stdlib ecosystem.
Goals
Backend
Possible Approach for Backend Implementation:
Approach 1: Full Pre-processing via Cron Job
This approach involves pre-generating all dashboard data through a nightly job and serving exclusively from static (JSON) files.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Approach 2 (Chosen Approach): Partial Pre-processing via Cron Job and Caching
This approach combines scheduled pre-processing of critical summary data with server-side caching for detailed information.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Detailed Implementation Plan for Approach 2
a. File System Cache
b. Redis Cache
For API query results with appropriate TTLs:
2. SQL Queries
Overall Stats Query
Failing Repositories Query
Paginated Repository Query
3. API Endpoints Design
1. Dashboard Summary Endpoint
Response Format:
2. Repository List Endpoint
Query Parameters:
page
: Page number (default: 1)pageSize
: Results per page (default: 50, max: 100)status
: Filter by status (optional: 'failed', 'success', 'running')owner
: Filter by repository owner (optional)search
: Text search on repository name (optional)sort
: Sort field (default: 'updated_at', options: 'name', 'owner', 'updated_at', 'status')order
: Sort direction (default: 'desc', options: 'asc', 'desc')Response Format:
3. Repository Detail Endpoint
Response Format:
4. Repository Workflow Runs Endpoint
Query Parameters:
limit
: Number of workflow runs to return (default: 10, max: 50)Response Format:
5. Cache Rebuild Endpoint (Admin Only)
Response Format:
4. Database Optimization
To ensure optimal database performance:
Monitoring and Maintenance
Frontend
Frontend is fairly simple and should take less than 2 weeks to be built.
Technical Stack
Architecture Overview
The frontend will follow a modular architecture with clear separation of concerns:
Testing
Testing Strategy
A comprehensive testing approach is essential to ensure the Stdlib Build Status Dashboard functions reliably across all components. This section outlines the testing methodologies for both frontend and backend components.
Backend Testing
1. Unit Testing
Framework: Jest
Focus Areas:
Testing Approach:
Example Test Cases:
2. Integration Testing
Framework: Jest + Supertest
Focus Areas:
Testing Approach:
Example Test Cases:
3. Load Testing
Framework: Artillery or k6
Focus Areas:
Testing Approach:
Example Test Cases:
4. Database Performance Testing
Tools: pg_stat_statements, explain analyze
Focus Areas:
Testing Approach:
Example Test Cases:
Frontend Testing
1. Unit Testing
Framework: Jest + React Testing Library
Focus Areas:
Testing Approach:
Example Test Cases:
2. Component Testing
Framework: Jest + React Testing Library
Focus Areas:
Testing Approach:
Example Test Cases:
3. Integration Testing
Framework: Cypress
Focus Areas:
Testing Approach:
Example Test Cases:
4. Accessibility Testing
Tools: jest-axe, Lighthouse
Focus Areas:
Testing Approach:
Example Test Cases:
5. Performance Testing
Tools: Lighthouse, React Profiler
Focus Areas:
Testing Approach:
Example Test Cases:
Cross-Cutting Testing Concerns
1. Mocking Strategy
2. Test Data Management
3. Continuous Integration
4. Test Environment Management
Testing Timeline
This comprehensive testing strategy ensures the Stdlib Build Status Dashboard is reliable, performant, and accessible while allowing for efficient development and maintenance.
Conclusion
This initial plan provides a solid foundation for the Stdlib Build Status Dashboard project, outlining both backend and frontend architectures, data processing strategies, and implementation approaches. However, it's important to note that this proposal will require significant refinement and adaptation as we delve deeper into the specific requirements and constraints of the stdlib ecosystem.
The backend implementation follows a hybrid approach that balances database load, data freshness, and system performance through strategic caching. The proposed architecture provides a scalable solution that can handle the current 3,500+ repositories with room to grow. However, the exact data retention policies, cache invalidation strategies, and query optimizations will need to be fine-tuned based on actual usage patterns and specific infrastructure constraints.
The frontend design emphasizes clarity, efficiency, and information density, with a focus on helping developers quickly identify and resolve build failures. While I have designed a comprehensive interface showing a wide range of metrics and visualizations, there are some discrepancies between what's shown in the frontend mockups and what's currently defined in the backend endpoints. These differences highlight areas where we'll need to make explicit decisions about which features to prioritize and implement.
Some specific areas requiring further clarification include:
The proposed architecture allows for incremental development and feature expansion. The modular approach will enable me to start with core functionality (build status monitoring and basic filtering) and progressively add more advanced features (analytics, historical data visualization) as the project evolves.
Why this project?
I'm genuinely excited about the Stdlib Build Status Dashboard project because it solves a real problem that developers face daily. Working with over 3,500 repositories is mind-boggling to me, and creating a tool that helps developers quickly spot and fix build failures would make a tangible difference to their workflow.
What draws me particularly to this project is the opportunity to work with the stdlib team, who are known for their commitment to quality and best practices. I've been using JavaScript libraries for years, but I've always wanted to understand how large-scale, high-quality libraries are maintained behind the scenes. Learning how to build scalable systems with proper testing under the guidance of experienced mentors would be incredibly valuable for my growth as a developer.
I'm also excited by the technical challenges—balancing database performance with real-time updates, creating an intuitive UI that handles thousands of repositories, and implementing efficient caching strategies.
Qualifications
I believe I’m well-qualified to execute this proposal because it directly aligns with the kind of full-stack systems I’ve built in the past. I have over 4 years of experience with JavaScript, Node, and PostgreSQL, and have used them extensively in both professional and personal projects.
For example, at Dexter Ventures, I built dashboards to visualize deal-flow and transaction data using React, Next.js, and PostgreSQL, along with real-time components and filtering systems for internal teams. At Multibhashi, I worked on admin tools and analytics dashboards that handled thousands of users, using a similar stack.
I'm also comfortable working with backend tasks like database modeling, REST API design, auth systems, and CI/CD setup. I’ve deployed production apps with Docker, PM2, and Nginx, and understand how to track and report system health and activity metrics—similar to what this dashboard project aims to achieve.
Most importantly, I have a strong interest in writing clean, maintainable code. Contributing to
stdlib
is an opportunity for me to build something useful, while also learning from one of the most rigorously structured open-source projects out there.Prior art
This project concept isn’t new, similar dashboards have been implemented in other ecosystems like Jenkins, NPM, GitHub Actions, and CircleCI.
Commitment
I do not have any other commitments at this time and will be fully available throughout the 12-week GSoC program. I plan to dedicate at least 40 hours per week to the project, and I’m excited to make the most of this opportunity by contributing consistently and with focus.
Schedule
12-Week Implementation Plan
Note: Given my extensive experience with this technology stack, there is a high likelihood that I will complete this project ahead of schedule. However, I have outlined a full 12-week plan assuming worst-case scenarios to account for any unforeseen challenges, detailed feedback iterations, or scope adjustments that may arise during the project. This conservative timeline ensures a high-quality, thoroughly tested deliverable regardless of any obstacles encountered.
Phase 1: Core Infrastructure (Weeks 1-3)
Week 1: Backend Foundation
Week 2: API Development
Week 3: Frontend Structure & Core Components
Phase 2: Core Functionality (Weeks 4-6)
Week 4: Dashboard Implementation
Week 5: Repository Detail View
Week 6: Integration & Refinement (Midterm)
Phase 3: Advanced Features & Optimization (Weeks 7-9)
Week 7: Analytics Implementation
Week 8: Performance Optimization
Week 9: Advanced Features
Phase 4: Polish & Completion (Weeks 10-12)
Week 10: Testing & Quality Assurance
Week 11: Documentation & Refinement
Week 12: Final Polish & Project Submission
Buffer & Extended Goals
If the implementation progresses ahead of schedule, the following extended goals could be considered:
Possible Extensions (Time Permitting)
Related issues
No response
Checklist
[RFC]:
and succinctly describes your proposal.The text was updated successfully, but these errors were encountered: