Vercel
Introducing Next.js App Router
An official Vercel introduction to the App Router used by the Academy application.
Find your footing
Help and FAQ
Search the written guide for workflow questions, then use the curated video library when seeing the tool in action will help.
Written guide
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start in the Academy?
Open the Dashboard and continue the current lesson. The lesson runner shows the next stage and evidence still needed. Use the Glossary when a term is unfamiliar, and return here for workflow explanations.
Related: dashboard · lesson · glossary
Why is my progress high but my competency level lower?
Progress measures movement through content. Competency measures qualifying evidence. Completing pages can show activity, but competency movement requires the evidence ladder for that skill.
Related: competency · evidence · radar · gate
What are the six lesson stages?
Each staged lesson moves through Hook, Teach, Guided Practice, Check, Explain, and Reflect / Evidence. The order is intentional and leaves proof behind.
Related: stage · lesson · evidence
Why did the Academy block my Continue or Complete action?
A server-enforced gate is missing required evidence. Save the requested prediction, artifact reference, check, reflection, or criterion evidence, then try again. The stored record is the authority.
Related: gate · server enforcement · evidence
What counts as a useful artifact?
Use something concrete another person could inspect or locate, such as a setup note, repository reference, process map, architecture diagram, runbook, deployment record, or client deliverable.
Related: artifact · evidence · handoff
When can I use AI help?
Use AI for drafting, alternatives, or summarization when the lesson allows it, but keep responsibility for accuracy and honesty. Gates, evidence, and commercial claims still need your review.
Related: llm · evidence · validation
What should a handoff include?
Include purpose, behavior, inputs and outputs, credential ownership, runbook, failure modes, logs, recovery steps, and the next owner. Someone else should be able to operate the system.
Related: handoff · runbook · hardening · observability
How should I read the competency radar?
Read each axis as the current effective level for one competency. The radar reflects evidence and post-decay adjustment, not simply lessons completed. Use a stale or low area as a practice target.
Related: radar · competency · decay
What does the cost cap protect?
The cost cap limits optional model-assisted grading or feedback. The dashboard shows spend against the configured monthly cap, while core checks and rubric logic remain deterministic.
Related: cost cap · llm · dashboard
What is the difference between local and production data?
Local development uses offline provider and mock identity. Production uses deployed auth and database settings such as the Soatmos shared session and PostgreSQL. Never copy local secrets into source control.
Related: database · auth · persistence
How do I report a lesson or link that is broken?
Note the page URL, lesson or stage name, expected behavior, actual behavior, screenshot or exact error text, and whether it happens on mobile. That gives the maintainer enough context to reproduce it.
Related: lesson · stage · observability
Why are the video links curated instead of embedded everywhere?
Videos remain explicit external resources so they can be replaced, checked, and studied independently. Lesson links point to relevant demonstrations while this Help area keeps the broader library searchable.
Related: lesson · content loader · glossary
Curated resources
Video library
Official external videos for the tools and workflows used in the Academy. They open in YouTube so you can study them independently.
Vercel
Deploying Next.js to Vercel
An official Vercel walkthrough of deploying a Next.js application.
GitHub
How to create a pull request in 4 min
An official GitHub beginner guide to opening a pull request for review.
Prisma
Prisma 7 and prisma.config.ts
An official Prisma walkthrough of the Prisma 7 configuration approach.
Microsoft Developer
Testing Modern Web Apps with Playwright
An official Microsoft Developer session covering Playwright setup, navigation, selectors, assertions, debugging, and reports.
Prisma
Prisma Migrations: A Step-by-Step Guide
An official Prisma walkthrough of creating, deploying, and recovering from database migrations.