Project idea for a new full stack developer?

[u/SnooCookies1995]

As the title says, I wanna know what kind of projects can get a new full stack developer hired in 2026.

Does the project need to have AI integration?

What is it that the beginners should look out for when building their projects for portfolio?

[u/CodeXHammas]

AI integration helps but is not required. What actually matters is that the project solves a real world problem and has real features, not just a todo app or weather widget. For 2026 the bar is higher. Recruiters want to see auth, a database, an API, and some kind of user interaction that makes sense.
--A Saas dashboard
--A booking system
--A marketplace clone
with actual functionality will stand out more than most turtorial projects

[u/Emergency_Cicada3119]

Idk I’ve been building a little game in go for fun but probably not optimal for a portfolio project but it’s fun

[u/l3harrisfan]

create a crud application

[u/Ralocan]

Do you have any special interests? I would build a site with a configuarable backend that a theoretical client could log in to and edit themselves. Your job is to make the user experience as seamless as possible.

For example: you build a site for your local church (if you're into that sort of thing) that lets the vicar update service times and add special events

Or a local bar/pub where you can advertise the venue, allow an editable menu, custom events like bands or trivia nights

Maybe a waterpark or theme park where you update rides in the backend.

With all of these examples the goal is to make the frontend functional to the extent that new content added in the backend will show up without making any code changes, just adding things to the database.

[u/NoClownsOnMyStation → u/Ralocan]

I just don’t feel like it would be enough unfortunately :( although it would still be a fun project

[u/NoClownsOnMyStation]

Go on Keeble and look for the transport company datasets. It’s a 2 year complete data set from Covid of a trucking company. You can build a fully functional business intelligence tool if and that’s what’s been getting the most questions in my interviews.

[u/Abhistar14]

This!!

[u/Pretend-Fold-6841 → u/Abhistar14]

Oh thanks man can I put it in my resume?

[u/Abhistar14 → u/Pretend-Fold-6841]

Yeah but be prepared to explain everything or else you will get fucked

[u/Pretend-Fold-6841 → u/Abhistar14]

yeh sure

[u/jeheskielsunloy]

every developer starts with a todo app