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 replay data (code snapshots, events, execution output) is stored for 90 days after a session ends. After that window, session data is permanently scrubbed for privacy. Basic session metadata (title, dates, participants) is retained for billing records. Sessions that are never explicitly ended will auto-expire after 30 days of inactivity.

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 90-day session replay window, and there is no persistent long-term storage of your code on our servers. Session review and replay are accessible only to team members (same organization as the session creator).

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 session review and replay features that let you revisit what happened during a coding session, including the code that was written and how it evolved over time. Review and replay are available within the 90-day data retention window after a session ends. After that period, session data is scrubbed and replay is no longer available. Only team members from the same organization can access review and replay.

How many participants can join a session?

Each session supports up to 20 concurrent participants. This includes both interviewers and candidates. If a session is full, new participants will see an error message and cannot join until someone leaves.

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.