A Day of Coding event is a hands-on way to bring developers and learners together to solve a real-world challenge. Participants get the opportunity to follow along with experienced developers, learn practical coding techniques, and leave with a working solution.

August 13, 2025 the Joomla User Group of New Jersey ran the first Day of Coding Event.  We gathered the experts and participants to work together in order to create a single result.  This guide could be helpful for other Joomla User Groups that want to develop something similar.

Step by Step Guide

Here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow to organize your own.

Step 1: Pick the Right Project

Choose a project with a clear, realistic outcome. The goal is to keep it focused: participants should be able to finish the project within a day, while still learning new coding techniques.  For our first Day of Coding, we selected a simple Articles Module Override using Custom fields, and simple settings.  Then for the 2nd part of the day, we added to that and created another override using GSAP and animations.

Step 2: Recruit Developers

Find two to three developers who can each solve the project in their own way. Their role isn’t just to code — they’ll also walk participants through their process and explain how they approached the problem. Where can you find people?  Check out authors from the Joomla Community Magazine.  Visit: https://magazine.joomla.org/authors 

Step 3: Hold Planning Meetings

Plan the event through three key meetings with the host and developers:

• Meeting 1: Define the Problem & Prepare the Base Site

• Agree on the exact problem to solve.

• Assign preparation tasks.

• Build a standardized sample site everyone will use. Include:

• Content

• Custom fields

• Images

• A shared login (e.g., user1/password)

• Create supporting materials: registration form, event description, and business specifications (goals, expected output, required fields).

• Meeting 2: Review Code & Build Infrastructure

• Developers share initial code samples.

• Assign responsibilities for next steps.

• Work with your hosting provider to:

• Create test cPanels for developers.

• Duplicate sites for each participant (user1, user2, etc.).

• Behind the scenes:

• Send promotional emails and collect registrations.

• Package developer code into zip files so participants can easily “catch up” if needed.

• Meeting 3: Finalize Timeline & Materials

• Decide who speaks when.

• Each developer creates their presentation.

• Host prepares a session overview.

• Build an event webpage with links to code, zip files, and instructions.

Step 4: Prepare Attendees in Advance

Two weeks before the event, send a detailed email to participants. Include:

• Software to install ahead of time

• Login credentials for the shared systems

• Individual site URLs and user IDs/passwords

• Instructions for joining in person or virtually

This ensures everyone is ready to dive in on event day.

Step 5: Run the Event

On the day itself:

• The host introduces the event and sets expectations.

• Developers demonstrate their solutions step by step, adding code to the sample site.

• Participants follow along by copying, pasting, and testing code on their own sites.

• Pre-packaged zip files are available to help anyone catch up quickly.

Tips for Success

• Standardize everything: starting from the same base site ensures consistency.

• Stay organized: divide tasks clearly between host, developers, and support staff.

• Make it easy for participants: provide clear instructions, pre-prepared files, and reminders.

With the right preparation, a Day of Coding can be both a fun learning experience and a practical way to explore real-world coding challenges

Planning Timeline & Checklist

4–6 Weeks Before the Event

• Select the project and define the sample outcome

• Recruit 2–3 developers

• Schedule planning meetings

• Coordinate with hosting provider for base site setup

3–4 Weeks Before

• Hold Meeting 1: define the problem, assign prep tasks

• Build standardized base site (content, fields, images, shared login)

• Draft registration form and event description

• Write business specifications for project goals

2–3 Weeks Before

• Hold Meeting 2: review developer code samples

• Work with hosting provider to create test cPanels

• Duplicate sites for each participant (user1, user2, etc.)

• Begin promoting event, send registration emails

• Package developer code into zip files
  
  

2 Weeks Before

• Send attendee prep email with:

• Software installation instructions

• System login details

• Individual site URLs and credentials

• Class access details (virtual/in-person)

1 Week Before

• Hold Meeting 3: finalize timeline & speaker order

• Developers prepare presentations

• Host prepares event overview slides

• Build event webpage with all links, code, and resources

Day of Event

• Host introduces session and reviews the agenda

• Developers demonstrate solutions live

• Participants follow along with their own sites

• Use zip files to help anyone who falls behind

• Wrap up with Q&A and next steps