SkillHub and PracticeLab

Inspiration

We believe learning software testing should be more than just reading concepts — it should be doing them. As mentors, consultants, and practitioners, we saw a massive gap: testers were learning theory from PDFs or slides, but had nowhere to practice automation on real systems. We wanted to build a platform that lets them learn by doing — with real tools, real flows, and real-world simulations.

What it does

SkillHub and PracticeLab is a dual-sided platform:

• 🎓 SkillHub delivers structured, interactive learning on software testing concepts (ISTQB, Selenium, Performance Testing, and more).
• 🔬 PracticeLab allows users to apply what they’ve learned in a live environment — automating test cases, exploring application flows, and building confidence.

It uses:

• WordPress authentication (via JWT)
• Supabase backend for learner progress and content
• Bolt.new frontend for seamless UX
• Deployed on Bitnami’s NGINX stack on AWS

How we built it

• Frontend: Bolt.new — rapid UI development with modular, reactive components.
• Backend: Supabase — used for storing courses, lessons, and user progress.
• Auth Layer: JWT tokens issued from WordPress allow verified users to access SkillHub and PracticeLab securely.
• PracticeLab: Simulates e-commerce scenarios with pre-configured Selenium automation hooks.
• Hosting: AWS Lightsail (Bitnami NGINX stack), routing via Cloudflare.

We built each lesson with step-by-step storytelling, code blocks, external reference links, quizzes, and real automation exercises.

Challenges we ran into

• Integrating JWT from WordPress and verifying tokens with Supabase row-level security (RLS) was trickier than expected.
• Running the PracticeLab backend server (FastAPI) alongside NGINX on a Bitnami stack without breaking production WordPress sites required deep troubleshooting.
• Balancing developer flexibility in Bolt with the need for a course CMS structure.
• Managing Supabase schema changes during iteration while ensuring data integrity.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

• Deployed a live, working LMS with authentication and full learning flow — in under 4 weeks.
• Created an elegant UX that testers enjoy using, thanks to Bolt.new.
• Successfully bridged a CMS (WordPress) with a custom learning and practice system using secure tokens.
• Built a scalable, real-world testing lab environment.
• Helped our pilot group of 25 learners complete courses and give valuable feedback.

What we learned

• Bolt.new dramatically improves frontend speed and experience for LMS-type projects.
• Supabase is powerful but demands careful planning when using RLS and multi-table joins.
• Developers often underestimate the complexity of “just running a second server” — until NGINX config breaks your live site 😅.
• Testers want interactivity, not just theory — which validates our vision.

What's next for SkillHub and PracticeLab

• Add video-based lessons and voice-activated teleprompter-style tutorials.
• Integrate AI-powered test scenario generation based on course topics.
• Add leaderboard and community features to encourage collaboration.
• Launch the full program to testers in Australia, India, and the Middle East.
• Open up API access for universities and corporate trainers.

Built With

• bolt
• lms
• sso
• supabase
• thrivetheme
• wordpress