[RFC]: Build developer dashboard for tracking ecosystem build failures

[rahulptl165]

Full name

Rahul Kumar

University status

Yes

University name

National Institute of Technology, Patna

University program

Computer Science and Engineering

Expected graduation

2026

Short biography

My name is Rahul Kumar and I am a 3rd year student at National Institute of Technology, Patna. I am currently pursuing a Bachelors in Technology degree in Computer Science and Engineering. I was introduced to the world of programming and software development in my first year. Since then, I have explored various fields such as Web Development, Data Structures, Algorithms, Machine learning, and Data Mining. I am deeply interested in web development and it has increased since I started contributing to open source. I have Contributed to multiple open-source projects, including Creative Commons, caMicroscope, Neutralino.js, and stdlib-js.

I have worked on several projects, and working on them gave me practical experience and knowledge in frontend development frameworks like React.js, backend frameworks like Express, NodeJs, Django and tools like Git for version control. I have experience in programming with various languages like Javascript, Python, C, C++ and Java.

Timezone

Indian Standard Time ( IST ) ( UTC +5:30 )

Contact details

email: rahulptl2022@gmail.com github: rahulptl165

Platform

Windows

Editor

I prefer Visual Studio Code because it is user-friendly, integrates a command-line terminal seamlessly, and offers various helpful extensions. I also love its user-interface, which supports custom themes and code coloring, making coding more enjoyable.

Programming experience

I have experience in full-stack web development, and open-source contributions. here are few projects i have worked on :

• Book Hub : A platform that allows users to discover, explore and share their loves for books.

• Appointment Booking System : A platform that enable users to book appointments with doctors.

• Templated Plugin : Adds functionality to manage and reuse locally saved templates in Neutralinojs CLI, eliminating the need to repeatedly download or clone remote templates.

• Plugin Explorer : This plugin allows users to search for available plugins, get detailed information about specific plugins, and list all available plugins.

JavaScript experience

I have good experience with JavaScript, particularly in full-stack web development and open-source contributions.

I’ve worked on projects using React.js for the frontend and Node.js with Express for the backend. I’ve also built CLI plugins for Neutralino.js, adding functionality like managing locally saved templates and exploring available plugins, and I’ve contributed to stdlib-js, where I’ve added accessor array support to statistical functions like nanvarianceyc.

Favorite Feature:

• In JavaScript, functions are treated like regular variables, meaning they can be assigned to variables, passed as arguments, and returned from other functions. This enables powerful programming patterns like functional programming. I love using higher-order functions such as map() and filter(), for example, in my Appointment Booking System, I used map() to dynamically render a list of doctors, making the code concise and expressive.

Node.js experience

I have solid experience with Node.js, particularly in backend development for full-stack web applications. I have used Node.js with Express.js to build Restful APIs, handle HTTP requests, and manage server-side logic. In my Book Hub project, I used Node.js to manage book data, user reviews, and search functionalities, ensuring efficient handling of client requests and database operations.
Also, I have built CLI plugins for Neutralino.js using Node.js. This involved working with file system operations, command-line arguments, and asynchronous programming.

My experience includes handling:

• Asynchronous operations using Promises and async/await.
• Middleware functions for request processing.
• API development with CRUD operations.
• Working with PostgreSQL and MongoDB databases.
• Using npm packages for enhanced functionality and efficiency.

C/Fortran experience

My first programming language was C, which I learned in my first year. I am familiar with the basics, including concepts like pointers, dynamic memory allocation and file system. I haven't learned Fortran yet, but I am open to learning it if required.

Interest in stdlib

There are multiple reasons why I am interested in working with Stdlib-js and chosen this project. First of all, Stdlib-js uses almost the same tech stack I am using so I am comfortable with it. Secondly, while exploring open-source organizations I was highly impressed by the Stdlib-js documentation and active community. I really didn’t see any organization with that much detailed and well-maintained documentation, and even after having this great documentation, there is a most active and welcoming Element community where you can discuss your technical problems and clear your every single doubt. Thirdly, It's a powerful library for JavaScript, and nothing brings more joy to a developer than knowing their code could help data scientists, researchers and even fellow javascript developers.

Version control

Yes

Contributions to stdlib

Merged PRs :https://github.com/stdlib-js/stdlib/issues?q=is%3Amerged%20is%3Apr%20author%3Arahulptl165%20

Open PRs in stdlib repo : https://github.com/stdlib-js/stdlib/issues?q=is%3Aopen%20is%3Apr%20author%3Arahulptl165

Open PRs in www repo : https://github.com/stdlib-js/www/issues?q=is%3Aopen%20is%3Apr%20author%3Arahulptl165

stdlib showcase

Stats-CSV-CLI: CSV Statistical Metrics CLI Tool ( Git Repository and NPM Package)

• stats-csv-cli is a command-line tool for calculating various statistical metrics from CSV files using stdlib-js library. It supports multiple metrics with options for choosing different algorithms, correction values, and stride values, making it highly customizable and efficient.

Goals

The stdlib Developer Dashboard seeks to deliver a public-facing, developer-centric web application that monitors build status of the 4100+ repositories in the stdlib-js ecosystem, inspired by the npm project statusboard. My goal is to create an intuitive, daily-updated dashboard using real time backend database, featuring a build status table with filtering, detailed repository insights, historical build trends, and consolidated metrics for code coverage and npm downloads. Built with a Node.js backend querying Postgresql and a frontend in ReactJs powered by Esbuild and Tailwind CSS, this project will enhance visibility into stdlib-js’s build health, aiding developers in tracking and resolving issues efficiently. Over 12 weeks, I will implement a main dashboard table, a repository details page with build and commit details, a historical trends page for success/failure graphs, and a metrics page for trend analysis, ensuring scalability and a polished user experience.

Why this project?

I chose this project mainly because it has node.js backend with postgresql and reactjs frontend in it and I like working with these technologies, making this project an ideal fit for my skills and interests. I also chose this project because it will help maintainers and contributors track build health, spot failures, and analyze trends across such a scale is extremely motivating to me.

Finally, being part of GSoC with stdlib-js excites me because it’s a chance to grow while giving back. I am motivated by the community’s emphasis on quality and collaboration, and I am excited to learn from maintainers, refine my full-stack abilities, and deliver a tool that could become a staple for stdlib-js developers. The mix of real-world impact, technical depth, and personal growth makes this project a dream opportunity for me.

Qualifications

I’m well-prepared to execute the stdlib Developer Dashboard with skill gained through practical experience and structured learning. I have completed Angela Yu’s Full Stack Developer Bootcamp on Udemy in my 2nd year, gaining expertise in Node.js, Express, and REST APIs, perfect for building the backend with Postgresql queries. The course also covered React and CSS, enabling me to develop the frontend with Tailwind CSS. I’ve built scalable web apps in personal projects, optimizing databases, which fits the 4100+ repo scope. Self-study through documentation and GitHub contributions refined my JavaScript skills. I’m currently learning Esbuild, and this project offers an exciting opportunity to master it while delivering a fast, polished dashboard for stdlib-js in 12 weeks.

Prior art

The aims of the stdlib Developer Dashboard centralized build monitoring, filtering, and trend visualization for a large codebase, mirror efforts in other open-source ecosystems. Projects like the npm project statusboard achieve similar goals with a static, daily-updated build status table, using GitHub Actions and a simple HTML frontend. but, This specific project hasn’t been fully implemented for stdlib-js before, but stdlib-js itself has real-time backend database for builds, this suggests internal tracking exists. My proposal builds on this by adding a public UI with Tailwind CSS, React, and extended metrics (coverage, downloads), inspired by these tools but tailored to stdlib’s 4100+ repos.

Commitment

My time commitment to this project will be as follows

• 7 hours a day ( Monday - Friday )
• Time dedication on Saturday and Sunday will be subject to work requirements.
• Total : 35 - 45 hours a week.

My semester exam ends on May 10, 2025, leaving me free of summer obligations. Post-May 10, I will have no conflicting commitments, allowing me to focus entirely on this project.

Schedule

The project takes 12 weeks, delivering a fully functional dashboard with additional time for testing and enhancements:

Detailed Description of Proposed Work :

The stdlib Developer Dashboard solves the problem of monitoring build statuses across stdlib-js’s extensive repository network by providing a public, lightweight tool that updates daily via querying stdlib-j's existing database. Building on the npm project statusboard’s simplicity, this project adds interactive features like filtering, detailed views, and trend visualization, tailored for developers. The 12-week timeline (May 12 - August 11, 2025) allows for a robust implementation, including core functionality, optimization, and additional polish, with the following objectives and plan:

Objectives :

• Comprehensive Build Monitoring: Develop a Main Dashboard with a table displaying Repository, Status, Conclusion, Updated, Link, Coverage, and Downloads (e.g., 12000), updated daily from database.
• Flexible Filtering: Enable filtering by status and conclusion to pinpoint build issues quickly.
• Repository Deep Dive: Create a Repository Details page with build status, recent builds, jobs, commits, and links to Historical Trends and Metrics.
• Historical Analysis: Implement a Historical Trends page with a 30-day build success/failure chart, scalable for all repositories.
• Metrics Insights: Build a Metrics page combining coverage and download trends, linked from Repository Details, to highlight repository health and usage.
• Robustness & Polish: Ensure scalability for 4100+ repositories, optimize performance, and refine the UI/UX with Tailwind CSS over 12 weeks.

Implementation Plan:

Implementation plan

• Community Bonding Period

1. Introduce myself, discuss stdlib_github schema details, and confirm requirements for the Main Dashboard.
2. Install and configure Node.js, React, ESBuild, Tailwind CSS CDN, and PostgreSQL client (pg) to prepare for coding.
3. I am Planning to begin coding in the second week.

• Week 1: Backend Setup & Schema Exploration

1. Set up Node.js/Express and connect to stdlib_github schema via pg.
2. Analyze schema tables (repository, workflow_run, coverage, etc.) and relationships.
3. Create initial GET /api/builds to query workflow_run and repository.
4. Test database connection and query output.
5. Deliverable: Backend connected, draft API.

• Week 2: Frontend Setup & API Enhancement

1. Initialize React frontend with Esbuild and Tailwind CSS.
2. Extend GET /api/builds to join coverage (latest statements) and npm_rolling_version_download_count (latest count).
3. Build Main Dashboard table skeleton (Repository, Status, etc.).
4. Test API integration with mock data from schema.
5. Deliverable: Frontend skeleton, enhanced API.

• Week 3: Main Dashboard Development

1. Finalize Main Dashboard table with columns: Repository (owner/name), Status, Conclusion, Updated (updated_at), Link (html_url), Coverage (statements), Downloads (count).
2. Style with Tailwind.
3. Add hash routing for Repository.
4. Debug rendering for 100 rows.
5. Deliverable: Main Dashboard.

• Week 4: Filtering & Query Optimization

1. Add filtering to GET /api/builds (WHERE status = $1 AND conclusion = $2).
2. Create indexes (e.g., CREATE INDEX idx_workflow_run_status_conclusion ON workflow_run(status, conclusion)).
3. Integrate filtering dropdowns into Main Dashboard.
4. Add search to GET /api/builds (e.g., WHERE repository.owner || '/' || repository.name ILIKE '%$1%').
5. Integrate a search input field in Main Dashboard alongside filters.
6. Test filters with schema data.
7. Deliverable: Filterable Main Dashboard.

• Week 5:Repository API & Details Page Start

1. Build GET /api/repository/:id joining repository, workflow_run, workflow_job, commit.
2. Start Repository Details page with status (workflow_run.status/conclusion) and GitHub URL (repository.url).
3. Style with Tailwind and Font Awesome.
4. Add links to History (#/history/:id) and Metrics (#/metrics/:id).
5. Deliverable: Partial Repository Details page.

• Week 6: (midterm) Repository Details Completion

1. Add Recent Builds table (workflow_run: status, conclusion, updated_at, html_url)`.
2. Implement Jobs table (workflow_job: name, status, conclusion, completed_at - started_at)`.
3. Include Commits table (commit: message, user_name, created_at, url).
4. Test and debug with real-time schema data.
5. Deliverable: Complete Repository Details page.

• Week 7:Historical Trends Development

1. Create GET /api/repository/:id/history (SELECT DATE_TRUNC('day', updated_at), COUNT(*) FILTER (WHERE conclusion = 'success') AS success FROM workflow_run WHERE repository_id = $1 GROUP BY DATE_TRUNC('day', updated_at)).
2. Build Historical Trends page with react-chartjs-2 for success/failure.
3. Style with Tailwind)
4. Add back link to Details.
5. Deliverable: Historical Trends page.

• Week 8:Metrics Development

1. Build GET /api/repository/:id/coverage (SELECT DATE_TRUNC('day', created_at), statements FROM coverage WHERE repository_id = $1).
2. Build GET /api/repository/:id/downloads (SELECT DATE_TRUNC('day', created_at), count FROM npm_rolling_version_download_count WHERE repository_id = $1).
3. Create Metrics page with two charts (coverage, downloads) using react-chartjs-2.
4. Style and test chart rendering.
5. Deliverable: Metrics page.

• Week 9:Core Feature Testing

1. Write Jest tests for GET /api/builds and filtering logic.
2. Test GET /api/repository/:id with jobs/commits.
3. Snapshot test Main Dashboard and Repository Details.
4. Address initial bugs.
5. Deliverable: Test suite (~50% coverage).

• Week 10:UI/UX Polish & Accessibility

1. Add tooltips (e.g., “Coverage: % of statements covered”) to tables.
2. Ensure responsive design (Tailwind sm:, md: breakpoints).
3. Implement ARIA labels (e.g., aria-label="Build status table").
4. Polish Tailwind styling (e.g., hover:bg-gray-200).
5. Deliverable: Polished UI.

• Week 11:Enhancements and Feedback

1. Address any remaining issues or optimizations based on testing feedback.
2. Fine-tune UI components, styling, and charts for consistency.
3. Share the final implementation with the stdlib-js community for feedback.
4. Make minor improvements based on their suggestions.
5. Prepare a demo showcasing all functionalities.

• Final Week:Deployment & Documentation

1. Deploy frontend to GitHub Pages.
2. Write README with schema usage.
3. Final testing and fixes.
4. Deliverable: Deployed dashboard, documentation.

Notes:

• The community bonding period is a 3 week period built into GSoC to help you get to know the project community and participate in project discussion. This is an opportunity for you to setup your local development environment, learn how the project's source control works, refine your project plan, read any necessary documentation, and otherwise prepare to execute on your project project proposal.
• Usually, even week 1 deliverables include some code.
• By week 6, you need enough done at this point for your mentor to evaluate your progress and pass you. Usually, you want to be a bit more than halfway done.
• By week 11, you may want to "code freeze" and focus on completing any tests and/or documentation.
• During the final week, you'll be submitting your project.

Related issues

[Idea]: developer dashboard for tracking ecosystem build failures

Checklist

• I have read and understood the Code of Conduct.
• I have read and understood the application materials found in this repository.
• I understand that plagiarism will not be tolerated, and I have authored this application in my own words.
• I have read and understood the patch requirement which is necessary for my application to be considered for acceptance.
• I have read and understood the stdlib showcase requirement which is necessary for my application to be considered for acceptance.
• The issue name begins with [RFC]: and succinctly describes your proposal.
• I understand that, in order to apply to be a GSoC contributor, I must submit my final application to https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/ before the submission deadline.

[hemantmm]

@rahulptl165 why are you using my contributions as your contributions?

[rahulptl165]

@hemantmm, I want to clarify that I am not claiming your contributions as my own. I used a filter to view my merged PRs, and I accidentally shared a URL that reflects that filter: is:merged is:pr author:@me.

This means that anyone who opens that URL will see a list of merged PRs authored by me, which is why it may appear as if it includes your contributions. I appreciate your understanding, and I'm here to discuss any concerns you may have.

and Thank you for reporting, i will edit that url.

[hemantmm]

Ok.
Not an issue with that.

[kgryte]

@rahulptl165 Thank you for opening this RFC. A few comments/questions:

1. Thank you for your showcase. A CLI CSV parser which hooks in stdlib functionality is definitely an interesting idea.
2. Have you considered having the dashboard be a static snapshot which is generated on a daily cron? I ask as we may want to be cautious about putting too much query load on the DB server. If you need to perform complex aggregations, that could affect overall server performance. In which case, what roll-ups would be useful or should we consider?
3. If the dashboard is a static snapshot, how would you handle filtering and drill down directly in the browser app?
4. Given the large number of stdlib repos, how will you ensure that the UI remains responsive? While we currently have over 4000 repos, this could double over the next year.

[rahulptl165]

Hi @kgryte , Thanks for feedback. here is answer of your question

2. Have you considered having the dashboard be a static snapshot which is generated on a daily cron? I ask as we may want to be cautious about putting too much query load on the DB server. If you need to perform complex aggregations, that could affect overall server performance. In which case, what roll-ups would be useful or should we consider?

Yes, i have considered it and agree that daily static snapshot generated via cron job is good approach to reduce DataBase load. I will create a cron job using node-cron npm package to precompute and store the dashboard data in json file. frontend will read from this snapshot instead of querying the DataBase directly to ensure minimal server load.

Roll-up 1(Main dashboard) : This will create simplified dataset for main dashboard.

• We take the latest workflow_run for each repository for most recent build.
• We join this with the corresponding coverage (using workflow_run_id) to get the statements percentage.
• We calculate the monthly downloads by summing the count from npm_download_count over the past 30 days for each repository.
• The result is a flat structure one row per repository.

Roll-up 2( History Page ) : This roll-up simplify the data for the historical trends page, which shows a 30-day chart of build success/failure counts for a specific repository. the trends page needs to count how many builds succeeded or failed each day over the past 30 days. calculating this live by querying workflow_run for every user would be slow, especially with thousands of repositories and many workflow runs. Precomputing this data daily reduces the load.

• For each repository, we look at the workflow_run table and group the data by day.
• We count the number of successful builds and failed builds per day.
• This creates 30 rows per repository (one per day for 30 days), stored in the snapshot.

Roll-up 3 (Metric) : This roll-up prepares data for the metrics page, which shows two 30-day trend charts: one for code coverage (statements) and one for npm downloads (count).

• From the coverage table, we get the statements percentage for each day over the past 30 days.
• From the npm_download_count table, we get the count for each day over the past 30 days.
• This creates 30 rows per repository (one per day for 30 days), stored in the snapshot.

Roll-ups include: Main Dashboard ({ repository_id, owner, name, status, conclusion, updated_at, html_url, coverage, downloads }), Historical Trends ({ repository_id, date, success_count, failure_count }), and Metrics ({ repository_id, date, statements, downloads }).

Precomputing these roll-up means that dashboard does not need to query the db every time. instead its load the snapshot
once and use it for all pages.

3. If the dashboard is a static snapshot, how would you handle filtering and drill down directly in the browser app?

I will implement client-side filtering and drill-down. once the snapshot is loaded, filter and search will be performed using javascript Array.filter() in memory. for drill down, snapshot will include detailed data, which will be accessed by mapping repo_id to its details when naviagate to repository details or trend pages.

4. Given the large number of stdlib repos, how will you ensure that the UI remains responsive? While we currently have over 4000 repos, this could double over the next year.

To keep UI responsive, I will paginate the snapshot client-side 100 rows per page to avoid rendering thousands of row at once. for drill-down, i will lazy-load detailed data only when accessed.

I will answer these question in detail with their practical implementation in my final proposal.
If you have any further question/suggestion let me know.

Thanks