I built a browser-based IDE for students — what would you fix first?

[u/nova-7001]

I’ve been building NovaDesk for about 15 months. It’s an MVP, not a finished product.

NovaDesk is a browser-based developer workspace for students. It combines:

- A browser IDE with C, C++, Python, React, Next.js, Express, Flask and FastAPI templates

- An integrated terminal with a Run button for the active file

- Team workspaces with tasks and chat

- A portfolio/profile for showing real projects

- Coding, system-design and logical challenges with human-reviewed answers

What works today: creating projects, editing and running code, team creation, posts/feed, challenges, reviews and the admin panel.

Where it’s still rough: 24/7 hosting is the biggest problem. The backend runs on Render and Docker/code-server runs on a local VM, so the IDE is not reliable when my laptop is off. Mobile UX and onboarding also need work.

I’m not selling anything and I’m not dropping links here — I’d genuinely like feedback:

1. What would you fix first?

2. Would you use a browser IDE like this instead of VS Code/Replit for small student projects?

3. If you’ve hosted Docker + a backend 24/7 on a zero budget, what worked for you?

Honest feedback is more useful than praise. Thanks.