Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create and share a session?

Sign in with your Google account and go to the dashboard. From there you can create a session with an optional title and language selection. Once created, copy the session link and share it with your candidate (for example, via a calendar invite). When participants open the link, they enter the live coding session directly in their browser.

What programming languages are supported?

LiveCoder supports around 20 programming languages for in-browser code execution, including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, Go, Rust, C++, C, C#, Ruby, PHP, Swift, Kotlin, Scala, Perl, R, Bash, Lua, Haskell, and Elixir. The full list of available languages is shown in the language selector when you create or join a session.

How does code execution work?

Code execution is powered by a sandboxed Piston engine. When you hit run, your code is sent to an isolated execution environment that runs it and returns the output. Each execution has a 15-second timeout to prevent long-running or infinite loops from consuming resources. The sandbox is completely isolated from the main application, so your code cannot access or affect any other part of the system.

How long is session data stored?

Session data (including all code written and session replay information) is stored for 30 days from the time the session is created. After that window, the data is automatically expired and permanently deleted. If you need to keep anything from a session, make sure to copy or export it before the 30-day period ends.

What are credits and how do they work?

Credits are the unit of usage on LiveCoder. One credit is consumed each time you create a new coding session. You can purchase credits through our payment provider, Lemon Squeezy. New accounts receive a small number of free credits upon signup so you can try the Service before purchasing. Credits are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Do credits expire?

Yes. Credits expire 365 days from the date of your most recent credit purchase or grant. Each new purchase resets the expiry window for all credits on your account. Expired credits are forfeited and cannot be restored or refunded.

How does real-time collaboration work?

LiveCoder uses Yjs, a CRDT-based (Conflict-free Replicated Data Type) synchronization framework, to enable real-time collaborative editing. This means both the interviewer and candidate can type simultaneously without conflicts. You can see each other's cursors and selections in real time. Changes are synced with very low latency, so the experience feels seamless even with network variability.

Is my code secure?

Yes. All code execution happens in a sandboxed environment that is completely isolated from the main application and from other users' sessions. Code is not stored beyond the 30-day session replay window, and there is no persistent long-term storage of your code on our servers. Session data is accessible only to participants of that session.

Do candidates need an account to join a session?

No. Candidates can join a coding session simply by opening the share link provided by the interviewer. No signup, login, or authentication is required for candidates. Only interviewers (session creators) need a Google account to sign in and manage sessions.

Can I review past sessions?

Yes. LiveCoder provides a session replay feature that lets you review what happened during a coding session, including the code that was written and how it evolved over time. This replay is available within the 30-day data retention window. After that period, session data is deleted and replay is no longer available.

What happens if my code execution times out?

If your code exceeds the 15-second execution limit, the process is terminated and you will see a timeout message in the output panel. This limit exists to prevent infinite loops and resource abuse. If your code legitimately needs more time, consider optimizing it or breaking it into smaller pieces.

How do I delete my account?

To delete your account and all associated data, send an email to apps.vwap@gmail.com from the email address linked to your LiveCoder account. We will process your request and confirm once your data has been removed. You can also revoke LiveCoder's access to your Google account at any time through your Google account settings.