Viewing Community Solutions
Learning from how others approach the same challenge is an invaluable part of improving your frontend skills. This guide answers common questions about accessing and learning from community solutions on Frontend Mentor.
Table of contents
When Can I View Other Solutions?
Q: I want to see how others solved this challenge. When can I access the solutions?
A: You can view other people's solutions for a challenge in two situations:
- After completing the challenge: Once you've submitted your own solution, you gain access to view all community solutions for that challenge
- With a Pro subscription: Pro members can view solutions for any challenge once they've started it, even before submitting a solution
Why Is There a Restriction?
Q: Why can't I see solutions before I complete the challenge?
A: This restriction exists for important educational reasons:
- Prevents copying: It ensures you work through the challenge independently first
- Encourages problem-solving: Struggling with a problem is part of the learning process
- Builds genuine skills: Solutions you develop yourself create deeper understanding
- Makes comparisons meaningful: After completing your own solution, you can better appreciate different approaches
The restriction isn't about gatekeeping - it's about maximizing your learning. Seeing a solution before attempting a challenge shortcuts the valuable struggle that builds real skills.
How Do I Browse the Solutions Gallery?
Q: I've completed a challenge. How do I find other solutions to learn from?
A: Follow these steps to browse community solutions:
Step 1: Go to the Challenge Page
Navigate to the challenge you've completed. You can find it through:
- Your "My Challenges" page on your Home dashboard
- The challenge library
- Direct link if you have one
Step 2: Access the Solutions Section
Look for a "Review Solutions" tab or link on the challenge page. This is near the top of the page alongside other challenge information.
Step 3: Explore Individual Solutions
Click on any solution to see:
- The developer's live site
- Their code repository
- Comments and feedback they received
- Their questions or learnings from the challenge
How Can I Learn Effectively from Others' Solutions?
Q: What's the best way to learn from community solutions?
A: Here are strategies for getting the most educational value:
Compare Approaches
- Look at how others structured their HTML differently
- Note different CSS techniques for the same layout
- See how JavaScript functionality was implemented
- Compare your responsive breakpoints with others
Study Highly-Rated Solutions
- Solutions with many likes often demonstrate best practices
- Read the feedback comments for additional insights
- Check why the community found them valuable
Look for Different Technologies
- If you used vanilla CSS, explore a Sass solution
- If you used flexbox, see how someone used grid
- Compare framework approaches (React vs Vue vs vanilla)
Take Notes
- Bookmark any particularly well-done solutions
- Note techniques you want to try in future challenges
- Create a personal reference of patterns you discover
Don't Just Copy
- Understand why something works, not just that it works
- Try implementing interesting techniques in your own way
- Use solutions as inspiration, not templates
What Does Pro Unlock?
Q: What additional access do Pro members get for viewing solutions?
A: Pro subscribers can:
- View solutions before completing: Access the full solutions gallery for any challenge without submitting first
- Learn from examples when stuck: If you're truly blocked, you can get inspiration without fully giving up
- Research before starting: See the range of approaches to plan your own strategy
- Study advanced techniques: Learn from solutions to challenges you may not have time to complete
When This Is Useful
- You're stuck and need a hint (not a full solution)
- You want to understand the scope of a challenge before starting
- You're learning a new framework and want to see examples
- Time constraints prevent completing every challenge you want to learn from
Using Pro Access Responsibly
Even with Pro access, consider:
- Attempting challenges on your own first when possible
- Using solutions for learning, not copying
- Still submitting your own unique solutions
Can I Share Solutions?
Q: Can I share a link to someone else's solution?
A: Yes, you can share links to community solutions. This is encouraged for:
- Discussing interesting approaches in community forums
- Helping others learn by pointing them to good examples
- Referencing techniques in your own solution write-ups
Just be sure to give credit to the original developer when discussing their work.
Why Are Some Solutions Better Than Others?
Q: How do I identify high-quality solutions to learn from?
A: Look for solutions that:
- Match the design accurately: Close attention to detail
- Use semantic HTML: Proper elements for content meaning
- Are accessible: Consider screen readers and keyboard navigation
- Have clean code: Well-organized, readable, and commented where helpful
- Are responsive: Work well at all screen sizes
- Have positive feedback: Community comments highlight strengths
Solutions with many likes and helpful comments are often good starting points, but also explore recent solutions that may not have been discovered yet.
Summary
The solutions gallery is a powerful learning resource. By completing challenges first and then studying how others approached the same problem, you gain insights that make you a better developer. Whether you're looking for new techniques, validating your approach, or finding inspiration, the community's collective work is there to help you grow.