Reddit is hosting the Mod Tools and Migrated Apps Hackathon on Devpost, a global virtual challenge designed to evolve community management. The opportunity targets developers, bot creators, and community moderators to build or upgrade moderation tools. Conducted entirely online, the hackathon provides strategic value by encouraging the shift from the older Data API to Devvit, the new Developer Platform for Reddit. Participants have a direct opportunity to influence the tools used by millions of moderators while competing for a significant prize pool.
Program details
The hackathon focuses on creating high stability, easy to install applications that live directly within the Reddit ecosystem. Developers are tasked with building utilities that solve major moderation pain points, reduce moderation load, and incentivize good behavior. The event features two primary submission tracks. First is the New Mod Tool category for creating brand new utilities from scratch. Second is the Ported Data API App category for migrating legacy bots to the Devvit platform. Examples of desired builds include automated enforcement tools, better queue management systems, and creative community building utilities.
Eligibility
Participants must adhere to specific requirements based on their chosen track. • Platform: All submissions must be built using Devvit. • Ported bots ownership: Participants porting an existing bot must be the owner or have written permission from the owner. • Ported bots history: Legacy bots being migrated must have been active on Reddit prior to March 2026. • Ported bots scale: Existing bots must support one or more communities with at least five hundred weekly active users.
Structure and timeline
The event operates as a fully virtual hackathon accessible globally. • Start date: April 29, 2026. • Submission deadline: May 27, 2026. • Format: Online developer challenge and competition.
Benefits Participating developers gain substantial professional opportunities within the platform ecosystem. • Program eligibility: Winning applications become eligible for the Reddit Developer Funds and the App Migration Program. • Professional recognition: Opportunities to collaborate directly with experienced moderators and community leaders. • Platform support: Access to developer documentation, quickstart guides, and bot porting guides for the new developer platform.
Funding or investment terms
The hackathon offers a total prize pool of $45,000 distributed across various awards. • Best New Tool Grand Prize: $10,000 for the most innovative tool solving a major moderator pain point. • Best Ported Bot Grand Prize: $10,000 for the most successful migration of a legacy bot. • Moderator Choice Award: $10,000 selected by a panel of respected Reddit moderators. • New Tool Runner Ups: $1,000 each for five outstanding new moderation utilities. • Ported Bot Runner Ups: $1,000 each for five high quality bot migrations. • Helper Award: $500 each for six participants who provide exceptional support to others during the event. • Feedback Award: $200 each for ten participants providing detailed and actionable feedback on the Devvit platform.
Application and selection process
Participants must enroll online through the official hackathon page to begin. Developers choose between building a new utility or porting an existing tool. Submissions are evaluated on their ability to improve community operations, stability, ease of installation, and overall moderator experience. Throughout the event, participants are encouraged to engage with the developer community by playtesting apps, sharing code snippets, and troubleshooting issues to qualify for additional support and feedback awards.
The Reddit Mod Tools and Migrated Apps Hackathon is a highly valuable opportunity for developers and community leaders looking to shape the future of moderation on the platform. By focusing on the transition to the Devvit ecosystem, the event directly aligns developer innovation with the operational needs of community moderators. Eligible creators are encouraged to submit their projects by the May 27 deadline to secure funding, ecosystem visibility, and platform integration.