⚖️ Lute Hacks 2026 Official Rules 1. Eligibility & Teams

• Team Size: 1–4 members per team.
• Affiliation: Open to all eligible PLU students.
• Finalization: Teams must be locked in before the coding period begins.

2. Project Integrity

• Start from Scratch: All work must be created during the event. Do not reuse your Capstone project or any prior work.
• AI Policy: Generative AI (ChatGPT, Claude, GitHub Copilot, etc.) is 100% encouraged for coding, debugging, and ideation.
• Prohibited Actions: Any hacking, DDoS attacks, or "botting" of other projects will result in immediate disqualification and a report to the university.

3. Judging & Finalists

• Scoring: Judges rate projects out of 10 based on Theme Alignment.
• Bonus Points: Earn extra credit by showing "User Traction" (screenshots of signups or testimonials from people using your tool).
• The Finale: The top 3 teams from each track will move to a People’s Choice Vote to determine the overall grand prize winner.