Builder guidelines

Welcome. As a Surge Foundry Builder you’ll learn AI-native engineering, build and own a real AI product in four weeks, and earn a verified Product Passport. Here’s everything expected of you — and everything you can expect from us.

Who can be a Builder

• 18 or older, any age, anywhere in India.
• Any background — fresher, student, career-switcher, self-taught. No experience bar.
• Solo, or in a team of 2–4. Teams are recommended.

What you’ll do

• Pre-Flight. Get set up (Git, Python, Claude, APIs) before the sprint so Day 1 is building.
• Learn AI-native engineering. Direct AI coding agents while you own the architecture and review.
• Build & own. Create your product in your OWN GitHub repo. It stays yours forever.
• Journal. Keep an AI Engineering Journal — how you and the AI solved each problem.
• Get verified. Pass the five gates and earn your Product Passport.
• Showcase. Publish to the Commons; choose your path — job, startup, or research.

The rules that matter

• One project per cohort. Focus on building one thing well in four weeks.
• The Passport is per person. On a team, each Builder is verified on their own contribution. Do your share.
• A human stays accountable. Review and test everything the AI produces. Un-reviewed AI output doesn’t count.
• Be honest. Declare what works, what doesn’t, and your limitations. Honesty raises your score.
• Follow the Code of Conduct. Respect everyone. Build nothing harmful. Protect personal data.

What you can expect from us

• A free program — always.
• A fair, consistent five-gate verification against a clear rubric.
• Mentor office hours and Build Clinics — help when you’re stuck.
• If you don’t pass, one clear fix-list and a chance to resubmit.
• Your product, credited to you, in a Commons employers browse — and a permanent Builder Network to stay in.