1. Are there any Google Cloud products the credits don’t cover? 

Generally, hackathon credits cover the vast majority of Google Cloud’s portfolio (Compute Engine, Vertex AI, Cloud Run, etc.). However, they typically exclude:

Third-party marketplace solutions (e.g., MongoDB Atlas or Datadog billed through GCP).

Domain registration through Google Domains/Cloud Domains.

Certain high-cost TPU or GPU reservations (depending on specific credit terms).

Tip: Stick to native Google Cloud services like Vertex AI and Cloud Run to ensure full coverage.

2. How do I apply for Google Cloud Credits?

You can request credits by completing this form.

3. How do I prove my project is running on Google Cloud? 

1. Proof would either be (1) a quick screen recording that shows the behind-the-scenes of their app running on GCP (e.g. console logs or console view of a deployment) or (2) a link to a code file in their Github repo that demonstrates use of Google Cloud services and APIs (e.g. API calls to Vertex AI endpoints)
2. You can upload and host videos directly within a Github repo. Other popular code repositories such as Gitlab and Bitbucket also support video uploads. It is straightforward to accomplish and the participants just treat the video file (e.g. mp4) the same way they treat a code file that they commit to their repo. Here is an example: http://github.com/huntharo/video-test
   
   

4. How do I keep costs down? 

The best way to save credits is to develop and test locally or using the free tier as much as possible during the build phase. We recommend not fully deploying your app to a high-availability production setting on Google Cloud until March 16th. This ensures your credits last through the critical judging period when the panel will be reviewing your live backend.

5. What should an architecture diagram look like? 

It should be clear and show the flow of data.

User/Frontend: How the user interacts (Web/Mobile).

The Brain: Where the Gemini Model sits and how it's accessed (via GenAI SDK or ADK).

The Logic: Your backend hosted on Google Cloud (e.g., Cloud Run, App Engine).

The Connections: How these pieces talk to each other and any external APIs or databases.

6. Can I submit a project I started before the hackathon?

The rules state you must develop a NEW next-generation agent. While you can leverage your existing knowledge or libraries, the specific project, its integration with Gemini, and its Google Cloud deployment should be built specifically for this challenge.

7. Does "Public Code Repository" mean I have to open-source my idea?

Yes. To be eligible for judging, your repository must be public so the judges can review your code and reproducibility. Make sure your README includes clear "spin-up" instructions!