Hackathon: Build Plugins for Book Readers
Do you love books? We do, and so do fans of TRMNL. Many people's first experience with e-ink was with an e-reader. For that reason, we're launching our 2nd hackathon focused on book readers!
The code to enter this hackathon is "bookreaders". You will need this to create a virtual device & submit your entries.
Prize Information
There are four (4) prizes available. First, a single winning plugin will be chosen for each category:
- Plugins for Librarians
- Plugins for Book Clubs
- Plugins for Book Readers (Misc)
Each category winner will receive a standard (black/white/clear) TRMNL device, clarity kit upgrade (includes developer license unlocked), and if you are outside of the US, duty fees will be reimbursed.
There will also be an additional reward, the Innovator Award, that can be any entry, regardless of category. This standout plugin will receive a TRMNL device of their choice (including Gray or Wood if in-stock), clarity kit upgrade (inc. developer license), and if you are outside of the US, duty fees will be reimbursed.
There will also be an additional reward, the Innovator Award, that can be any entry, regardless of category. This standout plugin will receive a TRMNL device of their choice (including Gray or Wood if in-stock), clarity kit upgrade (inc. developer license), and if you are outside of the US, duty fees will be reimbursed.
That means every plugin has two chances to win!
Participation Prizes
Each individual who submits at least one new plugin and meets a minimum quality score of 40/100 will be granted a one-time-use coupon for $40 off a TRMNL device. We think genuine effort should be rewarded.
Judging
All plugins will be evaluated on three criteria (unequal weighting):
- TRMNL Native Design. Using Framework, liquid filters, and all the other tools we offer is the easiest way to create something long-lasting and reliable for years to come. Some innovations will require custom styles, custom fonts, or custom javascript. Great! But plugins will be penalized for not being TRMNL first in their design, if possible.
- Impact. Does your plugin feel like a killer app that someone feels they need a TRMNL in their lives just because of your plugin? Would they feel sadness if they couldn't have it any longer in their lives? That, is impact.
- Creativity. Innovation does not just come from utility, but also from beauty or innovation. Be unique, be inspiring, be shareable.
Judging will be completed after the submission deadline ends.
Winners will be announced and notified by Friday, August 1st, 2025.
Winners will be announced and notified by Friday, August 1st, 2025.
Deadlines
The bookreaders hackathon starts at 9:00 AM EDT on July 18, 2025.
All submissions must be submitted by 11:59 PM EDT on July 27, 2025. Do not wait till the last minute! Only valid submissions that pass our Chef checks will actually be submitted.
All submissions must be submitted by 11:59 PM EDT on July 27, 2025. Do not wait till the last minute! Only valid submissions that pass our Chef checks will actually be submitted.
How to Participate
We've built a video walk-through of the simple process from start to finish!
- Join (Create Virtual Device): https://usetrmnl.com/hackathon
Use the code bookreaders - Create Your Account: https://usetrmnl.com/signup
- Build Your Plugin!
- Submit Entry: https://usetrmnl.com/hackathon (be logged in)
Useful Links
- Terminal Framework (Design System)
- Liquid Templating Cheat Sheet
- Developer Docs
- TRMNLP (local development)
FAQ
Can I enter more than one plugin?
You can submit up to three plugins, one per category.
Do I need to create a virtual device if I already have a TRMNL account?
No, you can skip the first two steps and just build your plugin and then submit it using the /hackathon form.
Where can I connect with other hackathon individuals?
Head to our subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/trmnl/ and look for the hackathon megathread that will stay open during the event.
Can I collaborate with others to make a plugin?
Of course! If you win, however, the account holder of that plugin will be the sole winner of the prize. How your team decides to handle that is up to you.
Can I use AI and vibe code a plugin?
If AI helps you build a creative, impactful, and TRMNL framework empowered plugin than you do you!
Can I submit plugins I've already had published?
No, this is for new plugins.
What if the plugin was private and I created it before the hackathon?
That is fine. It's about adding new things to our plugin recipe library.
Legal
Entrants retain ownership of all intellectual and industrial property rights (including moral rights) in and to Submissions. As a condition of submission, Entrant grants the Hackathon Organizer, its subsidiaries, agents and partner companies, a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, adapt, modify, publish, distribute, publicly perform, create a derivative work from, and publicly display the Submission. Entrants provide Submissions on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied, including, without limitation, any warranties or conditions of TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
