Building Khoj: A Web3 Treasure Hunt Platform

Khoj: Where Web3 meets real-world exploration

During ETHIndia 2024, our team embarked on an exciting journey to build Khoj - a platform that transforms traditional scavenger hunts into an immersive blockchain experience. Here's our story of building a project that aims to onboard millions of new users to Web3.

The Vision

The name "Khoj" means "search" or "discovery" in Hindi, perfectly encapsulating our vision. We wanted to create something that would make Web3 more accessible and engaging for non-technical users while encouraging real-world exploration and community building.

High-level architecture of the Khoj platform

Technical Architecture

We built Khoj using a robust stack of modern Web3 technologies:

Frontend

• React with TypeScript for a type-safe, component-based UI
• TailwindCSS for responsive styling
• Huddle01 for real-time video collaboration

Blockchain Integration

• Multi-chain deployment across Base, Moonbeam, and BNB Chain
• Coinbase Developer Platform SDK for seamless wallet integration
• True Network for trust scoring and attestations
• Lit Protocol for secure location verification
• Walrus Network for decentralized storage

The intuitive user interface of Khoj

Core Features

1. Progressive Riddles: AI-generated interconnected clues that tell a story
2. Location Verification: Physical presence validation at clue locations
3. Real-time Collaboration: Built-in video chat for team coordination
4. Trust Scoring: Dynamic reputation system based on hunt completion
5. Smart Rewards: Blockchain-based reward distribution

Challenges and Solutions

Building Khoj wasn't without its challenges. Some key hurdles we overcame:

1. Architecture Design: Creating a seamless flow between Web2 and Web3 components required careful planning and multiple iterations.

2. Lit Protocol Integration: Implementing secure location verification while maintaining user privacy took significant effort.

3. Cross-chain Compatibility: Ensuring smooth operation across multiple blockchains required robust testing and optimization.

Impact and Use Cases

Khoj's versatility enables various applications:

• Brand Engagement: Companies can create themed hunts for product launches
• Educational Tours: Museums and institutions can offer interactive learning experiences
• Community Building: DAOs can strengthen member connections through collaborative hunts
• Tourism: Cities can promote local attractions through gamified exploration

Looking Forward

The future of Khoj looks promising with planned features including:

• Advanced AI-driven clue generation
• Enhanced social features
• Expanded reward mechanisms
• More chain integrations

Image Gallery at ETHIndia'24

Conclusion

Building Khoj was an incredible journey that taught us valuable lessons about Web3 development, user experience design, and the power of combining physical and digital experiences. We're excited to see how it evolves and helps bring more users into the Web3 ecosystem.

Check out our GitHub repository or try Khoj at khoj3.vercel.app to experience the future of treasure hunting!