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Anupam Thakur
Anupam Thakur

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Interview Quest : an AI Interviewer

#devchallenge #githubchallenge #cli #githubcopilot

GitHub Copilot CLI Challenge Submission

This is a submission for the GitHub Copilot CLI Challenge

🎮 InterviewQuest: Level Up Your Interview Skills in the Terminal

Ever wished you could practice coding interviews without leaving your terminal? Meet InterviewQuest - a gamified, terminal-based interview simulator that makes practicing technical interviews actually fun!

🌟 What is InterviewQuest?

InterviewQuest is a production-quality CLI application that helps developers practice technical interview questions in a gamified environment. Think of it as a terminal game meets interview prep - with lives, streaks, and adaptive difficulty!

✨ Key Features

  • 🎯 Guess the Output Mode - Analyze code snippets and predict their output
  • 💝 Lives System - Start with 3 hearts, lose one on wrong answers
  • 🔥 Streak Bonuses - Get 3 correct in a row to level up difficulty
  • 📊 Score Tracking - Track your progress and accuracy
  • 🧠 Adaptive Difficulty - Automatically adjusts based on your performance
  • 🎨 Beautiful UI - Centered, colorful terminal interface with animations
  • ⚡ Zero Dependencies - Minimal, fast, and reliable
  • 🤖 AI Integration - Optional GitHub Copilot support for evaluation

🎬 Demo

📋 Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have:

  • Node.js >= 18
  • Git
  • Terminal with minimum size 60x20

🚀 Installation & Setup

Since the app isn't published on npm yet, you can run it directly from the GitHub repository:

Method 1: Clone and Run (Recommended) 

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/anupamthakur-dev/interview-quest.git

# Navigate to the directory
cd interview-quest

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Build the project
npm run build

# Run the game (default mode - no AI)
npm start

# Or run with AI features enabled
npm run start:ai

# Alternative: direct command with AI
node dist/bin/interviewquest.js --ai
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Note: In local development, AI is disabled by default. Use npm run start:ai or add the --ai flag to enable GitHub Copilot features.

Method 2: Install Globally (Local Development)

(not yet published on npm)

# Clone and navigate
git clone https://github.com/anupamthakur-dev/interview-quest.git
cd interview-quest

# Install dependencies and build
npm install
npm run build

# Link globally
npm link

# Now you can run it from anywhere!
interviewquest

# Or with AI features
interviewquest --ai
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To unlink later:

npm unlink -g interviewquest
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Tip: When installed globally via npm (after publishing), AI features will be enabled by default. In local development, use the --ai flag to enable them.

🎮 How to Play

Starting the Game 

npm start
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Game Modes

1. Guess the Output 🎯

The main game mode where you:

  1. View a code snippet
  2. Predict what it will output
  3. Submit your guess (multi-line supported!)
  4. Get instant feedback

Lives System:

  • Start with 3 hearts ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
  • Lose one on wrong answer
  • Game over when you run out!

Streak Bonuses:

  • Get 3 correct in a row 🔥🔥🔥
  • Difficulty automatically increases
  • Earn bonus points!

Difficulty Levels:

  • 🟢 Easy - Basic concepts
  • 🟡 Medium - Practical applications
  • 🔴 Hard - Advanced concepts

2. Interview Mode 🎤 (Coming Soon)

  • Realistic interview simulation
  • Timed challenges
  • AI evaluation with detailed feedback

3. Practice Grounds 📚 (Coming Soon)

  • Unlimited practice
  • No time pressure
  • Learn at your own pace

⌨️ Controls

In-Game Controls

Guess the Output:

  • Type your answer
  • Press Enter for new line
  • Press Ctrl+S to submit
  • Use arrow keys to navigate

Menus:

  • Use ↑ ↓ arrow keys to navigate
  • Press Enter to select
  • Press Esc or Ctrl+C to exit

🛠️ Tech Stack

Built with modern, minimal dependencies:

  • TypeScript - Type-safe development
  • Node.js - Runtime environment
  • Chalk - Terminal styling
  • Figlet - ASCII art headers
  • Custom Terminal Wrapper - Responsive, centered UI

Architecture:

  • Modular, scalable structure
  • Custom animations (no heavy libraries!)
  • Native readline for input
  • Clean separation of concerns

📁 Project Structure 

interview-quest/
├── bin/
│   └── interviewquest.ts        # Entry point
├── src/
│   ├── app/                     # App initialization
│   ├── ui/                      # Terminal UI components
│   ├── game/                    # Game logic & modes
│   ├── questions/               # Question bank
│   ├── evaluation/              # Answer evaluation
│   └── utils/                   # Utilities
└── dist/                        # Compiled output
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🎨 Screenshots

Intro page

Main Menu

Gameplay

Results

⚙️ Configuration

Default Mode (No Setup Required)

The app runs in default mode with built-in questions:

  • ✅ Works immediately after installation
  • ✅ No external dependencies required
  • ✅ Perfect for getting started!

Just run and play:

npm start
# or if linked globally
interviewquest
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Enable AI Features (Optional)

Want AI-powered code generation and evaluation? Use the --ai flag:

Prerequisites:

  1. GitHub CLI installed: gh --version
  2. Copilot extension: gh extension install github/gh-copilot
  3. Authenticated: gh auth login
  4. GitHub Copilot subscription

Local Development:

# Using npm scripts
npm run start:ai
npm run dev:ai

# Or with flag
interviewquest --ai
node dist/bin/interviewquest.js --ai
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After Publishing (Production):

# AI enabled by default!
npm install -g interviewquest
interviewquest  # AI already enabled

# Disable if needed
interviewquest --no-ai
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Available Flags:

interviewquest --help        # Show help
interviewquest --version     # Show version
interviewquest --ai          # Enable AI features
interviewquest --copilot     # Same as --ai
interviewquest -c            # Short form
interviewquest --no-ai       # Disable AI (production)
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What you get with AI:

  • 🤖 AI-generated code challenges
  • 💡 Smarter answer evaluation
  • 📝 Detailed feedback and explanations
  • 🎯 More varied question types

Environment Behavior:

  • 🏠 Local Development: AI disabled by default (use --ai to enable)
  • 🚀 Production: AI enabled by default (use --no-ai to disable)

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Here's how you can help:

  1. Fork the repository
  2. Create a feature branch 
   git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature
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  1. Make your changes
  2. Commit with clear messages 
   git commit -m "Add amazing feature"
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  1. Push to your fork 
   git push origin feature/amazing-feature
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  1. Open a Pull Request

Development Setup 

# Clone your fork
git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/interview-quest.git
cd interview-quest

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Start development mode
npm run dev
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🗺️ Roadmap

Current Features ✅

  • [x] Guess the Output mode
  • [x] Lives system
  • [x] Streak bonuses
  • [x] Adaptive difficulty
  • [x] Score tracking
  • [x] Multi-line input support
  • [x] Beautiful terminal UI

Coming Soon 🚀

  • [ ] Interview Mode with AI evaluation
  • [ ] Practice Grounds (unlimited practice)
  • [ ] More question categories
  • [ ] Session persistence
  • [ ] Leaderboard system
  • [ ] Custom themes
  • [ ] Question of the day
  • [ ] Multiplayer mode (?)

📊 Stats

  • Package Size: ~70 KB
  • Dependencies: 3 (minimal!)
  • Lines of Code: ~5,000+
  • Supported Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript, DSA, System Design
  • Question Bank: Growing weekly!

🐛 Known Issues

  • Terminal must be at least 60x20 for best experience
  • Some emojis may not render correctly on older terminals
  • Windows CMD has limited color support (use PowerShell or Windows Terminal)

💡 Tips for Best Experience

  1. Use a modern terminal:

    • Windows: Windows Terminal or PowerShell
    • Mac: iTerm2 or default Terminal
    • Linux: gnome-terminal, konsole, or similar

  2. Recommended terminal size: 80x24 or larger

  3. Enable cursor blinking for better input visibility

  4. Use dark theme for optimal color contrast

🙏 Acknowledgments

  • Built with love for the developer community
  • Inspired by the need for better interview practice tools
  • Thanks to all contributors and testers!

📬 Contact & Support

🎯 Quick Start Summary 

# 1. Clone the repo
git clone https://github.com/anupamthakur-dev/interview-quest.git

# 2. Install & build
cd interview-quest
npm install
npm run build

# 3. Start playing!
npm start              # Default mode (no AI)
npm run start:ai       # With AI features

# 4. Optional: Install globally
npm link
interviewquest         # Run from anywhere
interviewquest --ai    # With AI features

# When published via npm (coming soon!)
npm install -g interviewquest
interviewquest         # AI enabled by default
interviewquest --no-ai # Disable AI if needed
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Quick Commands:

  • interviewquest - Run the game
  • interviewquest --ai - Enable AI features (local dev)
  • interviewquest --no-ai - Disable AI (production)
  • interviewquest --help - Show all options
  • interviewquest --version - Show version

Works immediately with built-in questions! No setup required.

Want AI features? Add --ai flag in local dev, or AI is enabled by default in production.

Star the repo ⭐ if you find it helpful!

Happy coding, and may your interviews be ever in your favor! 🚀

Have questions or suggestions? Drop them in the comments below! 👇

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