// FAQ
Questions, answered.
The short version of how TILInsights works — quizzes, XP, series and paths, badges, events, and how to write for us. Still stuck? Get in touch.
// Getting started
What is TILInsights?
TIL stands for The Interesting Lab. It’s a learning platform for developers and CS students: in-depth articles, step-by-step tutorials, multi-part series, guided practice paths, quizzes, a daily code Arcade, live events, and verifiable badges — all in one place.
More about usIs it free?
Yes. Signing up is free, and so is reading articles and tutorials, following series and practice paths, taking quizzes, playing the daily Arcade, and earning XP, building streaks, and unlocking verified badges. Most events are free too; if an event charges a fee, that fee is shown on the event page before you register.
Do I need an account?
You can read and browse without one. To earn XP, save your progress, appear on the leaderboard, register for events, or unlock badges, create a free account.
Sign up freeHow do I get started?
Create an account, pick a topic you care about, and start with an article or a practice path. If you’d rather jump straight in, take a quiz or play today’s Arcade puzzle.
See how it works// Learning
What’s the difference between articles and tutorials?
Articles explain a concept in depth — the full picture, not a summary. Tutorials walk you step by step through building or doing something. Many topics have both, so you can read the idea and then get your hands on it.
How do practice paths work?
A path is an ordered sequence of tutorials and quizzes on a single topic, ending on a final quiz. Work through it in order — your progress is saved, so you can stop and pick up where you left off. Finish every step, including that final quiz, and you earn the path’s XP and its verifiable hex badge.
Browse practice pathsWhat is a series, and how is it different from a path?
A series is a set of long-form articles on one topic, written to be read in order — the deep, reading-first counterpart to a practice path. There’s no quiz and no final test: read every part and, once the series is complete, you earn its hex badge. A series is not a course; it’s ordered reading that ends in a badge.
Browse series// Quizzes, XP & the leaderboard
How do quizzes work?
Each quiz is a set of questions — multiple choice, multi-select, ordering, or short answer. After every question you see the correct answer and a short explanation of why. Some questions are reflect-style: instead of being auto-graded, you write your reasoning and compare it against a model answer.
Take a quizWhat is XP and how do I earn it?
XP is the points you earn for real completion — finishing articles and tutorials, passing quizzes, completing series and practice paths, playing the daily Arcade, and taking part in events. It builds your all-time and weekly totals, moves you up the leaderboard, and levels you up as it compounds. It’s only ever awarded for things you actually finish, not for showing up.
What are streaks?
Do anything that counts as learning on consecutive days — read, take a quiz, work a path, play the Arcade — and you build a streak. It spans all of your activity, not one feature. It’s a simple nudge to stay consistent, and consistency, more than cramming, is what actually builds skill.
How does the leaderboard work?
There’s an all-time board and a weekly board that resets each week, plus per-category quiz boards. You can always see your own rank, even when you’re outside the top few.
View the leaderboard// The Arcade
What is the Arcade?
A daily set of code and logic puzzles — like Code Sprint and Zip. A new one drops each day. Play to build a streak and climb the daily leaderboard against everyone else who played.
Open the Arcade// Badges, certificates & events
How do I earn a badge?
Badges mark what you finish. Complete a practice path — every tutorial and quiz, ending on its final quiz — and you earn the path’s badge. Read every part of a series and you earn the series badge once the series is complete. Each is a hex you keep, show off, and can verify.
Browse practice pathsAre badges verifiable?
Yes. Every badge carries a unique code and lives at its own public page — anyone can open it and confirm it, no login needed, and you can add it straight to your LinkedIn profile.
How do I earn a certificate?
Certificates come from attending events that issue them — that’s the one place a certificate is awarded today. Every certificate carries a code and verifies on the certificates page, no login needed. (For finishing learning content, a badge is what you earn. Formal Courses, which will carry certificates of their own, are on the roadmap.)
Your certificatesHow do events and registration work?
Browse upcoming events, open one, and register — most are free and it takes one click. Once you’re registered you get the meeting link and can add the event to your calendar. If an event is full, you can join the waitlist and we’ll email you if a spot opens up.
Browse events// Writing & community
How do I become an author?
Apply on the Write for us page with a couple of writing samples, the topics you’d like to cover, and a short bio. Our editorial team reviews applications; if you’re approved you get author access and the in-app editor, plus editorial feedback before anything you write goes live.
Apply to writeCan I comment, react, and bookmark?
Yes. Signed-in members can react to and comment on articles, and bookmark anything to read later. Comments are lightly moderated to keep discussion useful.
// Account & help
Where do I manage my account and notifications?
Everything’s under Settings once you’re signed in — your profile, notification preferences, and account details.
I have a question that isn’t answered here.
Reach out from the Contact page and we’ll get back to you.
Contact usReady to start learning?
It's free. Pick a topic and go.