I built a free app where CS learners can exchange skills like Python, Java, Web Dev, or Cyber Security with each other — would love your feedback. 🙌

Posted by Hemraj_Bhatt@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 2 comments

Hey everyone!
I recently launched a free app called Skill Catalyst where learners like you and me can teach what we know and learn what we don’t—all in a peer-to-peer way.

✅ No paid tutors
✅ Just 70+ computer science skills (like C++, Embedded Systems, PCB Design, Django, TCP/IP, etc.)
✅ Connect with others who passed the skill you want to learn
✅ Text, voice, and even screen-sharing in calls

I’m trying to build something that makes mutual learning fun and real. I'd love to hear what you think or how I can improve it. Thanks!

🔗 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skillcatalyst.app&pcampaignid=web_share
❤️ Happy to answer any questions!

[-]

numeralbug@reddit

The principle of the idea sounds good, maybe even great, but I'm going to be a grumpy old bastard about the implementation:

Who codes on their phone? What screen would I even share here?
Why would I download this app rather than e.g. join a Discord server?
Do you really think you can accurately measure my competence in C with 10 multiple choice questions?

[-]

Hemraj_Bhatt@reddit (OP)

Hey! First off, I genuinely appreciate the honesty — grumpy or not, this is the kind of feedback that actually helps improve things 😄

Let me try to answer your points directly:

Totally agree — no one’s writing production code on a phone. But the goal isn’t to code on the phone; it’s to connect with someone who can help you understand concepts, debug something, or review your logic.

Think of it more like
🧠 “Hey, I’m stuck with promises in JavaScript — can we jump on a quick voice chat or screen share?”
📱 You can share diagrams, notes, and code snippets via screen or messages — not IDEs.

It's not for pair programming sessions; it’s for peer-to-peer learning conversations, similar to how you’d ask someone on Discord — just a bit more focused and match-based.

Great question. Discord is great — but also chaotic sometimes.
The idea behind Skill Swap is structure:

You choose skills you want to learn and teach
You’re matched with someone who fits that skill swap
You get a clean one-on-one space (chat, voice, or screen)—no noise, no moderation mess
You can verify people, leave reviews, and track your own skill growth over time

Basically: Discord is like a public park, and this is more like a study buddy system. Both can coexist —we’re just narrowing the chaos and offering a dedicated space.

Short answer: No — and I wouldn’t dare claim that!

Those 10 MCQs are just the first layer. They’re not meant to label someone as “expert” or “novice,” but just filter total randomness.
Once you pass, your skill is still community-validated — people can give you thumbs up after each session, and you build rep naturally.

It’s more like
✅ “You know enough to start helping someone.”
👥 “And from here, people will rate you based on real interactions.”

We also plan to let users opt out of testing if they want — and just use peer ratings instead.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment. If any of this sounds fair, I’d love for you to just try one interaction inside the app and tell me if it feels even 1% better than Discord chaos.

Happy to DM you a test invite if you're curious. And if it sucks, I'll admit defeat with dignity. 😅

Cheers!