React Challenges – Improving the Typical "react Challenge Platform" Experience

I know there are already several React challenge platforms, but most of them feel the same: a Sandpack-based IDE with client-side tests and no real TypeScript support. I wanted to improve that experience while keeping things simple.

So I built ReactChallenges — a challenge platform with a more realistic development workflow. It still uses Sandpack, but with a much more complete environment thanks to Monaco and server-side execution.

Here’s what’s different:

All challenges include TypeScript for real-world coding practice

Optional Vim mode for people who prefer a power-editor workflow

Pre-styled UI in every challenge so you can focus entirely on logic, not layout

See both the code and the fully working solution live

Code only re-evaluates on Ctrl+S (like VS Code), avoiding the constant preview breakage on every keystroke

Tests run on a real server (full Node/Jest), not limited client-side sandboxes

Monaco Editor with a real TypeScript worker (type checking, autocomplete, IntelliSense, diagnostics, etc.)

I’d love feedback from the HN community on:

The usability of the IDE

Whether the server-side tests are clear and helpful

Whether the challenges feel genuinely useful and realistic