feat: add hosting challenge

challenges/001-docker-vps-deployment/DEPLOYMENT_GUIDE.md

@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+Welcome to the Deployment Journey!
+================================
+
+Welcome to the Dockerize & Deploy Any Website challenge!
+
+Submission Deadline: You Have 2 Weeks!
+-------------------------------------------------
+You have until 12 July 2025 01:00 to work on your project and submit your final deployment. We encourage you to start early, utilize the provided resources, and ask questions in the support channel (archived-vps-docker-challenge or your project's support channel).
+
+Over the next two weeks, you'll transform your web application from local code to a live, internet-accessible site. This challenge is designed to build your skills in two powerful areas: Docker for consistent environments and a VPS for full control over your hosting.
+
+Your First Mission: Prepare Your Foundation!
+--------------------------------------------
+
+Choose Your Weapon: Decide which web application you'll be deploying. It can be a simple static HTML site, a Node.js backend, a Python Flask app, or anything you've built, just ensure it is running smoothly on your local machine.
+
+Understand Containerization: Begin by researching "What is Docker?" and "Why use Docker?". Think about the problem Docker solves.
+
+Stuck? Ask for help in the project's support channels.
+
+Milestone 1: Your App in a Box!
+--------------------------------
+
+Great job setting the stage! Now it's time to put your application into its very own isolated environment.
+
+Containerize Your Application!
+
+- Craft Your Blueprint: Research "Dockerfile best practices" for your application's language/framework (e.g., "Node.js (Express) Dockerfile", "Python Flask Dockerfile", "React or Vue site Dockerfile"). Your goal is to create a Dockerfile that tells Docker exactly how to build your application's image.
+- Build Your Image: Learn how to use `docker build` to transform your Dockerfile into a portable Docker image on your local machine.
+- Test Your Box: Use `docker run` to start your container and verify that your application is running correctly inside its container, accessible on a local port.
+
+Remember: Docker images are like packages, and containers are running instances of those packages. This step ensures your package is perfect before shipping!
+
+Milestone 2: Accessing Your Remote Playground
+--------------------------------------------
+
+Your app is now neatly packaged in a Docker image locally! Before we send it off, let's get your VPS ready to receive it.
+
+Secure Your VPS & Install Docker!
+
+1. Get Your Virtual Server: If you haven't already, provision a VPS. This will be your playground for deployment.
+2. Connect Securely: Research "SSH access to VPS" and "SSH key authentication". Learn how to log into your VPS using your terminal and set up password-less, key-based authentication for enhanced security.
+3. Initial Server Hygiene: Implement basic security steps (updates, create a non-root sudo user, disable direct root login). Research "Ubuntu server initial setup" if you're using an Ubuntu image.
+4. Firewall First Line of Defense: Research "UFW firewall setup Ubuntu". Configure a basic firewall to only allow essential traffic (like SSH and, later, web traffic) to your server.
+5. Bring Docker Aboard: Research "install Docker on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS" (or your chosen distro). Install Docker Engine on your VPS.
+
+Pro Tip: Every command you run on your VPS affects the live server. Double check before you hit Enter.
+
+Milestone 3: Your App, Live on the Server!
+-----------------------------------------
+
+You've got your app containerized and your VPS ready. It's deployment time!
+
+Deploy & Run on VPS!
+
+- Code Transfer: Choose how you will get your Dockerfile and application code to the VPS, for example `scp`, `rsync`, or `git clone`.
+- Build & Run Remotely: On the VPS, use `docker build` to create the image and `docker run` to start your application in a Docker container.
+- Keep it Running: Ensure your Docker container runs continuously, even after server reboots. Research Docker restart policies (e.g., `--restart unless-stopped`).
+- Verify Internally: Use `docker ps` and `docker logs` to confirm the container is running and healthy.
+
+Critical Thinking: Your application might be running on an internal port (e.g., 3000). Map that to a port on the VPS so your reverse proxy can access it.
+
+Milestone 4: Making Your Website Public & Secure!
+------------------------------------------------
+
+Your app is alive on the VPS, but how do people access it? And how do we make it secure?
+
+Nginx & SSL! The Web Gateway:
+
+1. Nginx as a Reverse Proxy: Research "Nginx as a reverse proxy for Docker". Install Nginx on your VPS.
+2. Configure Routing: Create an Nginx configuration that listens on port 80 (HTTP) and forwards requests to the port your Docker container is mapped to (e.g., `localhost:8080`).
+3. Open the Gates: Update your UFW firewall to allow HTTP (port 80) and HTTPS (port 443) traffic.
+4. Connect Your Domain (Optional but Recommended): If you have a custom domain, add an A record pointing to your VPS IP address.
+5. Secure with HTTPS: Research "Let's Encrypt Certbot Nginx". Install Certbot and use it to obtain and configure a free SSL certificate for your domain to enable HTTPS.
+
+Final Check: Visit your domain (or VPS IP if you don't have a domain) in your browser. Does your website load? Is it secure (HTTPS)?
+
+Final Call: Submission Time!
+---------------------------
+
+Final Reminder! This challenge is about Dockerizing and deploying any website to a VPS in 2 weeks. The final submission deadline is 12 July 2025 01:00.
+
+Your Final Mission: Submit Your Proof of Learning!
+
+Ensure you've covered all the requirements:
+
+- Your live website URL.
+- Screenshots demonstrating your Docker container's health, Nginx config, and successful deployment.
+- Your project code repository link (with Dockerfile).
+- Your personal reflection on what you learned and how you overcame challenges.
+
+Submission link and support channels: Use the challenge's submission form and support channel to submit and ask for help.
+
+Project Sharing & Help Session
+-----------------------------
+
+If you feel stuck, or want to share progress, join the community help session (check the challenge channels for dates and links).
+
+Additional resources:
+
+- Intro video on deploying with Docker and a VPS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8De7gavikI
+
+Good luck, we can't wait to see your deployed projects!

challenges/001-docker-vps-deployment/README.md

@@ -1,71 +1,51 @@
-# Challenge 001: Docker & VPS Deployment
+# Challenge: Dockerize & Deploy Any Website!
 
-> The steps below are written to work with any VPS provider.
+Welcome to the **"Dockerize & Deploy Any Website"** challenge. This is your opportunity to gain practical, real-world deployment skills by containerizing and deploying your own web application.
 
-## Overview
+## 🚀 The Challenge Goal
+Our mission for the next two weeks is to learn to containerize any web application using Docker and deploy it to a Virtual Private Server (VPS).
 
-Learn to containerize any web application with Docker and deploy it to a live, internet accessible server, complete with a reverse proxy and HTTPS. This challenge walks through the full deployment pipeline, from local development to a secured, production style setup.
+This challenge covers the full deployment pipeline, from local development to a live, secure website.
 
-## The Challenge Goal
+## 💡 What You Will Learn
+By the end of these two weeks, you'll be able to:
 
-Containerize any web application you've built (or want to build) using Docker, and deploy it successfully to a Virtual Private Server (VPS).
+- **Containerize applications with Docker:** Write a Dockerfile to package your app and its dependencies.
+- **Manage a Virtual Private Server (VPS):** Use remote server access and basic Linux commands.
+- **Deploy applications to the cloud:** Move your code from your machine to a live server.
+- **Set up a web server as a reverse proxy:** Serve your Dockerized app to the internet.
+- **Secure your website with SSL (HTTPS):** Obtain and configure free SSL certificates.
 
-## What You Will Learn
+## ⏳ Submission Deadline: You Have 2 Weeks!
+You have until Saturday, 2 August 2025 00:45 to work on your project and submit your final deployment. Start early, use the available resources, and ask for support in the project's support channels.
 
-By the end of this challenge, you'll be able to:
+Submission form: https://dyno.gg/form/d813f991
 
-- Containerize applications with Docker, including writing a Dockerfile that packages an app and its dependencies.
-- Manage a VPS, including remote access and basic Linux server administration.
-- Deploy an application from a local machine to a live server.
-- Configure a reverse proxy to serve a Dockerized app to the internet.
-- Secure a website with a free SSL certificate (HTTPS).
+## 🎉 How to 'Win' & Get Rewarded
+This challenge is about learning. Every participant who completes the challenge is a winner.
 
-## Milestones
+To be entered into the prize raffle, you need to:
 
-### Milestone 1: Containerize Your Application
+1. Deploy a working Dockerized web application on a VPS.
+2. Submit your Proof of Learning via the form above. Your submission must include:
+- Your live website URL.
+- Screenshots of your running Docker processes (`docker ps`), your web server configuration, and your deployment on the VPS.
+- A link to your code repository (including your Dockerfile).
+- A brief reflection on your learning, challenges, and your Docker setup.
+- Your Discord username (not display name).
 
-- Choose a web application to deploy. It can be a static site, a Node.js backend, a Python Flask app, or anything already running locally.
-- Research Dockerfile best practices for your app's language or framework.
-- Write a Dockerfile describing how to build your application's image.
-- Build the image locally with `docker build`.
-- Run and verify the container locally with `docker run`, confirming the app works as expected inside the container.
+## 🏆 The Grand Prize
+All eligible submissions will be entered into a raffle. Three winners will receive 1 month of Discord Nitro.
 
-### Milestone 2: Prepare Your VPS
+## 🤝 Support
+We're here to help you:
 
-- Provision a VPS from a hosting provider of your choice.
-- Set up SSH access and configure key based authentication instead of password login.
-- Perform basic server hardening: update the system, create a non root sudo user, and disable direct root login.
-- Configure a firewall (e.g. UFW) to allow only necessary traffic.
-- Install Docker Engine on the VPS.
+- `archived-challenge-guides` contains tutorials and resources for the challenge.
+- Use the community support channels to ask questions, share progress, and troubleshoot issues.
 
-### Milestone 3: Deploy and Run on the VPS
+## Good luck, and happy deploying!
 
-- Transfer your Dockerfile and application code to the VPS (e.g. via `scp` or `git clone`).
-- Build the Docker image on the server and run it as a container.
-- Configure the container to restart automatically on failure or server reboot.
-- Verify the container is running correctly using `docker ps` and `docker logs`.
+## Winners (challenge complete)
+The challenge has concluded and winners were selected.
 
-### Milestone 4: Make It Public and Secure
-
-- Install a reverse proxy (e.g. Nginx or Caddy) on the VPS.
-- Configure the reverse proxy to forward incoming traffic on port 80 to your container's mapped port.
-- Update the firewall to allow HTTP (80) and HTTPS (443) traffic.
-- Optional: point a custom domain at your VPS using a DNS A record.
-- Secure the site with a free SSL certificate (e.g. via Let's Encrypt / Certbot).
-
-## What Counts as a Valid Submission
-
-Any project, existing or new, deployed and reachable through your VPS. This can be a static site, a full stack app, a bot with a web dashboard, or anything else with a network facing component.
-
-## Suggested Learning Areas
-
-- Basic Linux server administration
-- SSH key based authentication
-- Firewall configuration
-- Reverse proxies
-- Docker container lifecycle and restart policies
-- DNS configuration and SSL certificates
-
-## Sharing Your Work
-
-Post your live URL, a short reflection on what you learned, and any issues you ran into in the community. Screenshots of your running container, reverse proxy config, or deployment process are welcome.
+Keep building and stay tuned for future events.