Overview
Build, Ship, Shape is a public, global online hackathon focused on creating applications for Amazon devices and services. Developers can work on one product or combine several to connect experiences across the home and cloud. The event brings Fire TV, Alexa+, Ring, and Bee together in a single hackathon, with development resources including SDKs, simulators, sample code, documentation, AI tools, and live office hours. Participants can share product feedback directly with the teams building these products.
The event is open to people above the legal age of majority in their country of residence. Participation is available in all countries and territories except Brazil, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Quebec, and Russia.
Tracks and project ideas
Choose a primary track and submit a working demo:
- Fire TV: Build or significantly update an app that runs on Fire OS or Vega OS. React Native, web technologies, Android, and other frameworks are accepted. Priority areas include AI-enhanced viewing, sports, fitness, family entertainment, multimodal user experiences, and computer vision.
- Alexa+: Create an Agent Skill or a self-hosted MCP server using specification 2025-11-25 or later and Streamable HTTP. Newcomers can instead make a simulated Alexa+ experience in a web app using an agentic tool.
- Bee: Use real data recorded and processed through a Bee device or an Apple Watch running Bee software. Projects should demonstrate how that data provides a useful outcome, with education, developer experience, and personal productivity highlighted as priority use cases.
- Ring: Build or extend an application using Ring APIs, SDKs, simulators, or devices. A physical Ring device is not required. Priority areas include access control, business systems, home automation, accessibility, and caretaking.
Two optional mini challenges offer additional opportunities. The AWS Builder challenge requires documented use of AWS services, such as Bedrock, AgentCore, Strands SDK, Kiro Crew, or SageMaker. The Open Source challenge recognizes a new open-source project or a contribution to a public repository made during the hackathon period. A project may enter a mini challenge alongside its primary track, but can win no more than one primary-track prize and one mini-challenge prize.
Submission and judging
Submissions require a project description, a GitHub repository with the code and instructions, and a public English-language demo video on YouTube or Vimeo that is under three minutes. Include feedback on every tool, API, and SDK used, identify the tracks entered, and explain work completed during the event if the project existed beforehand. Track-specific requirements apply: demos must show the relevant technology or device in operation. The page also lists optional feature requests and friction logs; friction logs can earn up to a 10% judging bonus.
Judges will assess technical implementation, design, potential impact, and the quality of the idea. The judging panel is to be announced.
Dates and prizes
The hackathon runs online from August 31 through October 23, 2026. The submission deadline is October 23, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. EDT. Listed track prizes include cash, AWS credits, meetings with the Amazon Developer team, and project promotion. The event page lists $138,000 in prizes; its overview also describes a $190,000 value of cash and AWS credits across the competition.
