See what Forge developers are building for Codegeist 2025
Codegeist 2025 is underway. This year Atlassian’s annual hackathon is awarding up to $120,000 in prizes. I’ve been reviewing early submissions, and three apps stood out for how they solve common challenges. I’ll walk through what makes them interesting and share practical lessons you can apply to your own Forge app development whether you’re entering Codegeist or just getting started.
3 inspiring Codegeist 2025 submissions
SimpleDesk: Simplified Jira Project Management
Jira’s built for complex workflows, but not every team needs that depth. For teams wanting simpler task tracking, SimpleDesk provides a streamlined interface for Jira project management, built entirely with Atlassian’s Forge platform. View SimpleDesk on Devpost to learn more.
What stands out to me here is how SimpleDesk removes complexity rather than adding features. That’s a common trait that separates good Forge apps from great ones. It uses existing Forge UI Kit components to create a cleaner experience, proving that less can be more powerful.
Monkey SQL: Database Integration for Atlassian
Context switching kills productivity. Monkey SQL eliminates this friction by bringing SQL query capabilities directly into the Atlassian ecosystem. It uses Forge, Rovo, and an AI model to transform user prompts into explicit SQL queries, making every answer traceable and reproducible. This is the same clarity Rovo gives with JQL, now available across Jira. View Monkey SQL on Devpost to learn more.
As someone who codes with AI tools regularly, transparency is non-negotiable. Natural language queries are convenient, but you need to see how it’s thinking to verify results and debug issues. The best AI tools let you see exactly what they’re doing. Monkey SQL gives you both: the ease of prompts with the transparency of explicit queries, which builds trust and makes results reproducible.
Forge Secure Notes: Encrypted Storage for Jira
Teams working with sensitive information need secure storage within Jira issues. Forge Secure Notes adds encrypted note functionality directly to Jira, using end-to-end AES-256-GCM encryption where keys never leave your browser. This leverages the platform’s built-in security features to protect confidential data. View Forge Secure Notes on GitHub to learn more.
A common problem we face as developers is tracking sensitive information in Jira when you can’t trust the platform with unencrypted data. Most “secure” solutions store keys server-side, which defeats the purpose. Client-side encryption changes the equation. The keys stay in your browser, the encrypted data lives in Jira, and nobody in between can decrypt it. This is zero-knowledge architecture powered by Forge, Rovo, and modern web browser APIs.
What makes a winning Forge app?
SimpleDesk, Monkey SQL, and Forge Secure Notes take different approaches, but they share a few traits worth studying. Whether you’re building for Codegeist or planning your first Forge project, here’s what these apps demonstrate.
- Solve real problems: A winning Forge app submission addresses actual pain points developers or teams experience daily. SimpleDesk tackles Jira complexity. Monkey SQL eliminates context switching. Forge Secure Notes solves security gaps. Your app should fix something that genuinely frustrates users.
- Use Forge platform features: Forge provides these resources: UI Kit for interfaces, Functions for data access, Storage for persistence, Security for sensitive information. Working with them means you’re solving your unique problem instead of rebuilding authentication, data layers, or UI frameworks.
- Keep it simple: These apps were built by individual developers, not teams with unlimited resources. Focus on usefulness over complexity. A well-executed simple idea beats a poorly executed complex one every time and use the platforms.
Codegeist 2025 Hackathon: Key Details
Codegeist is Atlassian’s annual hackathon where developers from around the world unleash creativity on Forge, Atlassian’s serverless app development platform. Build cloud apps for Jira, Confluence, Rovo, and other Atlassian products to compete for $120,000 in total prizes. Winners also gain visibility in the Atlassian developer community, potential Marketplace opportunities, and direct feedback from Atlassian’s product teams.
Key Details:
- Open to: Developers worldwide, all experience levels
- Registration: Open now at codegeistxawr.devpost.com
- Submissions close: December 22, 2025
- Judging criteria: Problem definition, solution execution, creativity, and potential impact
- Winners announced: February 2026
Start building your Codegeist 2025 submission today
SimpleDesk, Monkey SQL, and Forge Secure Notes started as ideas someone had while frustrated with their workflow. Now they’re real apps solving real problems and competing for $120,000. Your idea could be next.
Register for Codegeist 2025 now and submit your Forge app before the December 22 deadline. Whether you’re building Jira automation, team collaboration tools, or innovative workflow solutions, the Atlassian Developer Community is here to help you succeed.
What developers are asking about Codegeist 2025 and Forge
What is Codegeist?
Codegeist is Atlassian’s annual hackathon for developers building apps on the Forge platform. It’s open to developers worldwide and offers prizes for innovative Jira apps, Confluence apps, and other Atlassian integrations.
Do I need Forge experience to participate?
No. Many successful Codegeist participants learn Forge app development during the hackathon. Atlassian provides tutorials, documentation, and community support to help you build your first app.
What can I build with Forge?
Forge supports apps for Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Compass, and other Atlassian products. You can create custom workflows, integrations with external services, UI extensions, automation rules, and AI-powered features using Atlassian Intelligence.
How do I submit my app?
Register at codegeistxawr.devpost.com and build your Forge app. Submit through Devpost before the deadline. Include your code, documentation, and a demonstration of your app in action.