--- title: "Projects exercises | CoderPad" description: "Learn more about Projects exercises from CoderPad." canonical: "https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/for-candidates/screen-preparation-guide/projects-exercises/" last_modified: "2026-03-27 03:39:05" --- 1. [Docs home](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/) / 2. [For Candidates](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/for-candidates/) / 3. [Screen preparation guide](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/for-candidates/screen-preparation-guide/) / 4. [Projects exercises](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/for-candidates/screen-preparation-guide/projects-exercises/) [Documentation menu](#docs-navigation) # Projects exercises Last updated on March 27, 2026 When you work on a project exercise, you’ll have access to a complete VS Code development environment. This guide will help you prepare for success and make the most of the available tools and features. ## Tutorial Before starting your test, we strongly encourage you to complete the interactive tutorial. The tutorial will help you familiarize yourself with: - The VS Code interface and layout - Available tools and features - How to customize the environment for your preferences You can take the tutorial as many times as you want. It is not part of your assessment and won’t affect your results. ## Getting started with VS Code [![Screenshot of the CoderPad Screen IDE during a React project exercise. The left sidebar shows the project structure under 'PROJECT [CODERPAD]' with folders (.vscode, node_modules, src) and files including index.html, instructions.md, config files, and package.json. The main editor displays instructions.md, which describes the project: a React app with a text and button for testing speech synthesis. The right side shows the Simple Browser preview with a page titled 'Global Alliance for Literacy' and a speaker button. At the bottom, the terminal shows npm run dev output with Vite server running on port 5173. A notification suggests installing the Jest extension. The bottom right corner has a yellow 'Submit' button.](https://coderpad.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-7-1024x604.png)](https://coderpad.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-7.png) ### Activity bar The Activity Bar on the far left gives you access to the core elements of the IDE. You’ll land in the Explorer view, which lists all folders and files in your project, with`instructions.md`open by default. Read this file first; it describes your goals, constraints, and any setup steps. You can then navigate to other files from the Explorer. ### Recommended extensions Recruiters may include recommended extensions for your project. If so, a notification will appear in the bottom-right corner of the IDE. Click Install to add them. ### Terminal VS Code has an integrated terminal that can be accessed from the Panel area. The integrated terminal is crucial for many project tasks (installing packages and dependencies, running development servers and build tools, executing test suites and scripts, etc.). ### Command Palette The Command Palette provides quick access to all VS Code functions. To open it: - Windows/Linux:`Ctrl + Shift + P` - Mac:`Cmd + Shift + P` ### VS Code settings You can customize almost every part of VS Code by configuring settings. You can use the Settings Editor to modify the settings in VS Code or directly modify the`settings.json`file. We recommend adjusting the settings during your tutorial session so that the IDE matches your preferred configuration in terms of shortcuts, themes, accessibility, etc. For a comprehensive introduction to VS Code, you can check out the [official documentation](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/getstarted/getting-started). ## CoderPad-specific settings ### Quick Access Within VS Code Activity Bar, you will see a Quick Access entry with a star icon. This menu will help you access key resources for your projects, including: - Instructions - Terminal - Web Preview, if relevant for your project - AI Assistant, if enabled for your project Some of these will open automatically when you start your project. If you close them, reopen them from Quick Access at any time. ### AI Assistant If your test enables the AI Assistant, a chat panel will open by default. Use it the way you would at work—to ask questions, make updates to your code, generate snippets, or explain errors—and then review and adapt its suggestions. Recruiters enable this because they want to see how you collaborate with AI, so please use the built-in assistant rather than external tools. ### Submitting your work The Submit button sends your completed project for evaluation. > ![⚠️](https://coderpad.io/assets/emoji/26a0.svg) Please note that only saved files are included in your submission Before submitting: 1. Save all files: Use`Ctrl/Cmd + S`on each file or save all with`Ctrl/Cmd + K, S` 2. Check for unsaved changes: Look for white circles next to filenames 3. Test your solution: Run your code to ensure it works as expected 4. Review requirements: Double-check that you’ve addressed all project requirements You can save files with one of the following methods: - Individual file:`Ctrl/Cmd + S` - All files:`Ctrl/Cmd + K`, then`S` - Auto-save: Enable in settings for automatic saving Close Docs Index - [Screen](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/) Toggle children pages - [Quick start guides](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/recruiters-quickstart/) Toggle children pages - [Onboarding Checklist](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/recruiters-quickstart/screen-onboarding-checklist/) - [The CoderPad Screen Score Guide](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/the-coderpad-screen-score-guide/) - [Video Guides](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/recruiters-quickstart/video-guides/) - [Tests](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/tests/) Toggle children pages - [Creating a test](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/tests/creating-a-test/) - [Customizing test content](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/tests/customizing-test-content/) - [Editing test settings](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/tests/editing-test-settings/) - [AI Tools for Screen](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/tests/ai-tools-for-screen/) - [Test management](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/tests/test-management/) - [Test retake requests](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/tests/test-retake-requests/) - [Cheating prevention and detection in Screen](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/tests/cheating-prevention-detection/) Toggle children pages - [Webcam proctoring](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/tests/cheating-prevention-detection/webcam-proctoring/) - [Test Insights](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/test-insights/) - [Projects NEW](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/tests/projects/) - [Candidate management](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/candidate-management/) Toggle children pages - [Anonymizing candidates](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/candidate-management/anonymizing-candidates/) - [Import candidates from CSV file](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/candidate-management/import-candidates-from-csv-file/) - [Candidate reports](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/candidate-reports/) Toggle children pages - [Candidates dashboard](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/candidate-reports/candidate-dashboard/) - [Code playback](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/candidate-reports/code-playback/) - [Fixing an incorrectly marked question](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/candidate-reports/fixing-an-incorrectly-marked-question/) - [Error messages in candidate reports](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/candidate-reports/error-messages-in-candidate-reports/) - [Customizing questions](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/customizing-questions/) Toggle children pages - [Creating custom questions](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/customizing-questions/creating-custom-questions/) Toggle children pages - [Custom Project questions](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/customizing-questions/creating-custom-questions/custom-project-questions/) - [Importing questions](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/customizing-questions/importing-questions/) - [Customized domains and skills](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/customizing-questions/customized-domains-and-skills/) - [Sharing your custom questions](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/customizing-questions/sharing-your-custom-questions/) - [Integrations](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/integrations/) Toggle children pages - [Ashby for Screen](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/integrations/ashby-for-screen/) - [Greenhouse for Screen](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/integrations/greenhouse/) - [iCIMS](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/integrations/icims/) - [Jobvite](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/integrations/jobvite/) - [Lever](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/integrations/lever/) - [SmartRecruiters](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/integrations/smartrecruiters/) - [Taleez](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/integrations/taleez/) - [Taleo](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/integrations/taleo/) - [Teamtailor](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/integrations/teamtailor/) - [Workable](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/integrations/workable/) - [Workday](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/integrations/workday/) - [Account management](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/account-management/) Toggle children pages - [Editing your profile](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/account-management/editing-your-profile/) - [Managing users & teams](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/account-management/managing-users/) - [Billing](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/account-mgmt/billing-history/) - [Configure data protection](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/account-management/configure-data-protection/) - [Insights](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/account-mgmt/insights/) - [SSO](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/account-management/sso/) Toggle children pages - [Okta SSO legacy process](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/account-management/sso/okta-sso-legacy-process/) - [Cancel your subscription](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/account-mgmt/unsubscribing/) - [More](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/more-screen-resources/) Toggle children pages - [FAQ](https://coderpad.io/faqs/#screen-faq) - [Supported languages, frameworks, & technologies](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/more-screen-resources/supported-languages-frameworks-technologies/) Toggle children pages - [Available domains](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/more-screen-resources/supported-languages-frameworks-technologies/available-domains/) - [What compiler does my Screen project run on?](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/more-screen-resources/supported-languages-frameworks-technologies/what-compiler-does-my-screen-project-run-on/) - [What compiler does my Screen test run on?](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/more-screen-resources/supported-languages-frameworks-technologies/what-compiler-does-my-test-run-on/) - [Supported browser versions](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/more-screen-resources/supported-languages-frameworks-technologies/browser-versions/) - [API key access](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/more-screen-resources/api-key-access/) - [Accessibility](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/accessibility/) - [API documentation](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/more-screen-resources/api-documentation/) - [Troubleshooting Screen](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/more-screen-resources/troubleshoot/) - [Static code analysis](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/more-screen-resources/static-code-analysis/) - [Code editor](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/more-screen-resources/monaco-code-editor/) - [Report a question leak](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/more-screen-resources/report-a-question-leak/) - [Interview](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/) Toggle children pages - [Quick start guides](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/quick-start-guides/) Toggle children pages - [Onboarding Checklist](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/quick-start-guides/interview-onboarding-checklist/) - [Interviewers](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/quick-start-guides/interviewers/) Toggle children pages - [Live Interview quick start](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/quick-start-guides/interviewers/live-interview-pads/) - [Take-home project quick start](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/quick-start-guides/interviewers/take-home-projects/) - [Interview best practices](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/quick-start-guides/interviewers/interview-best-practices/) - [Recruiters](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/quick-start-guides/recruiters/) - [Account administrators](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/quick-start-guides/account-admins/) - [Video Guides](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/quick-start-guides/coderpad-interview-quickstart-video-guides/) - [Engineer’s guide to multi-file frameworks](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/quick-start-guides/multi-file-frameworks-for-engineers/) - [Talent acquisition’s guide to multi-file frameworks](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/quick-start-guides/multi-file-frameworks-for-talent-acquisition-teams/) - [Pads](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/) Toggle children pages - [Creating a pad](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/creating-a-pad/) - [Using pad features](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/using-pad-features/) - [Jupyter Notebooks](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/jupyter-notebooks/) - [API client](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/api-client/) - [AI Tools for Interview](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/interview-ai-assist/) - [Code editor](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/code-editor/) - [Video & audio chat](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/video-and-audio-call/) Toggle children pages - [AI Notetaker](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/live-interview-transcription/) - [Interview Highlights NEW](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview-highlights/) - [Interview Outlines NEW](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/video-and-audio-call/interview-outlines/) - [Private Interviewer Notes](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/private-interviewer-notes/) - [Settings](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/settings/) - [Keyboard shortcuts](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/keyboard-shortcuts/) - [Playback & Pad Summary](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/playback-mode/) - [Duplicate pads](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/duplicate-pads/) - [Pad bulk actions](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/pads/pad-bulk-actions/) - [Drawing mode](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/drawing-mode/) - [Interview question bank](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/question-bank/) Toggle children pages - [Creating and editing questions](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/question-bank/creating-and-editing-a-question/) - [Example questions](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/question-bank/example-questions/) - [Test cases](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/question-bank/test-cases/) - [Focus Time](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/focus-time/) - [Databases](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/databases/) - [Custom files](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/custom-files/) - [Integrations](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/integrations/) Toggle children pages - [Ashby for Interview](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/integrations/ashby/) - [GoodTime](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/integrations/goodtime/) - [Google Chrome Calendar extension](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/integrations/google-chrome-calendar-extension/) - [Greenhouse for Interview](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/integrations/greenhouse/) Toggle children pages - [Greenhouse live interview integration](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/integrations/greenhouse/live-interview-integration/) - [Greenhouse take-home projects integration](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/integrations/greenhouse/take-home-integration/) - [iCIMS](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/integrations/icims/) - [Lever](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/integrations/lever/) - [Gem](https://support.gem.com/hc/en-us/articles/26933157317399-How-do-I-connect-my-CoderPad-account) - [SmartRecruiters](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/integrations/smartrecruiters/) - [ModernLoop](https://modernloop.notion.site/coderpad) - [Workday](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/integrations/workday/) - [Account management](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/account-mgmt/) Toggle children pages - [Team management](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/account-mgmt/team-management/) - [Managing users](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/account-mgmt/managing-users/) - [SSO](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/account-management/sso/) - [Insights](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/account-mgmt/insights/) - [Billing](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/account-mgmt/billing-history/) - [Canceling your subscription](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/account-mgmt/unsubscribing/) - [More](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/more-interview-resources/) Toggle children pages - [Cheating prevention and detection in Interview](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/cheating-prevention-in-interview/) - [FAQ](https://coderpad.io/faqs/#live-faq) - [Accessibility](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/accessibility/) - [Supported technologies & languages](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/more-interview-resources/supported-technologies-languages/) Toggle children pages - [Languages & frameworks](https://coderpad.io/languages/) - [Unit testing](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/unit-testing/) Toggle children pages - [Using Jest with React](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/unit-testing/using-jest-with-react/) - [Supported browser versions](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/screen/more-screen-resources/supported-languages-frameworks-technologies/browser-versions/) - [API key access](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/more-interview-resources/api-key/) - [API documentation](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/more-interview-resources/api-documentation/) - [Troubleshooting](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/interview/more-interview-resources/troubleshooting/) - [Server statuses](https://status.coderpad.io/?_gl=1*ta4d92*_ga*MTkzMTE2ODYyMC4xNjU4MjQ5Mzcw*_ga_XBQ5N5CE2N*MTY2NzQxOTY5OS4yNjIuMS4xNjY3NDIxNDQ0LjAuMC4w&_ga=2.62808234.704669655.1667307151-1931168620.1658249370) - [Data management and privacy policy](https://coderpad.io/privacy/) - [AI Fluency](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/ai-fluency/) - [For candidates](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/for-candidates/) Toggle children pages - [Screen preparation guide](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/for-candidates/screen-preparation-guide/) Toggle children pages - [Webcam and microphone access](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/for-candidates/screen-preparation-guide/webcam-access/) - [Projects exercises](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/for-candidates/screen-preparation-guide/projects-exercises/) - [Interview preparation guide](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/for-candidates/interview-preparation-guide/) Toggle children pages - [Try the sandbox](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/for-candidates/interview-preparation-guide/sandbox/) - [FAQ](https://coderpad.io/faqs/#faq-do-candidates-have-to-register-an-account-or-pay-to-use-interview) - [What’s new?](https://coderpad.io/resources/docs/changelog/)